Palin For President

There are two things going for Sarah Palin. Apart from a following among middle-aged men that is (doesn’t look like the typical grandma, does she).

One, “Sarah Palin” has been portrayed such a mindless idiot, she’ll earn points just by reading the time right, out of a talking clock. There is a great advantage in lowering expectations.

Two, she’ll have a very easy time convincing people that it’s the Press that paints her in a negative light. So during a campaign, if there’ll be a campaign, she will describe all of her faux-pas and gaffes as “don’t listen to that, it’s just the evil Press”. Even the real faux-pas and gaffes, that is.

IOW on all fronts she will be able to say or do anything without fear of losing score with anybody in the electorate (unless she’s photographed kicking a puppy or slapping her mom). Every additional day will be a day with more supporters.

It’s developing in the classical shoo-in…

Five Recommendations For American Presidents

From Robert B Reich’s review of “The Heart of Power –  Health and Politics in the Oval Office By David Blumenthal and James A. Morone:

  • a new president must move quickly, before opponents have time to stoke public fears
  • a president must set broad health reform goals and allow legislators to fill in the details, but be ready to knock heads together to forge a consensus
  • “The only way to deal with Congress is continuously, incessantly and without interruption” (L. Johnson)
  • disregard or overrule [the] economic advisers
  • there is an art to losing, too — in a way that can tee up the issue for future presidents