Palin goes Rogue

(If this post is random and a bit incoherent, it's 2:00 AM) I think the "original" maverick has been out-mavericked. Word has leaked out of the McCain camp that Palin is going off the reservation, doing her own thing, disregarding her "handlers"....this is crazy. Then again, McCain has repeatedly talked about Palin being a maverick and a reformer, so he should have expected this. Apparently, Palin's people feel like she's been mishandled by McCain's people, helping create an unfavorable image with the media and the country. On the other hand, McCain's people are saying McCain made a mistake picking Palin, claiming she is an unqualified diva that is costing McCain the election. While the official response to this news is predictable--it's false--it's hard to imagine that anonymous sources would be making this stuff up. Palin--in the words of Fred Thompson--knows how to field dress a moose; what did McCain expect, that she would be a mindful little girl and do whatever was asked of her? Many political pundits think this is Palin's way of positioning herself for a Presidential run in 2012. She can see the McCain ship has sunk--after burning to a shred--and rather than stay aboard, she's grabbing a life raft and bailing. Who can blame her? I don't think she has the credentials or the skill to fend off potential republican challengers like Romney, Guliani, and Huckabee, but either way, she's bound to make a lot of money with her new found fame, and the far right of the Republican party loves her. Most Republicans--at least I think so--are going to be gun shy about electing a relatively uneducated leader after the Dubbya experience, giving an edge to someone like Bobby Jindal or Romney (Sorry Huck and Palin, knowing the Bible better than the Constitution can only win so many votes) so I don't think Palin's exposure from this campaign will be enough to make her President someday, but she will have a future in politics, possibly even outside of Alaska. If she gets sick of having to protect the country from Russia, she can run for the senate and move to Washington--that would be nice I'm sure, not having to watch Russia and Canada every morning.  Palin has been publicly taking stances that contradict McCain more and more recently, indicating she's done being his puppet. 

It's tough to predict where the Republican party will be in 2012. They are looking at huge deficits in Congress--super majorities for the Democrats not seen since the 1930's--and a new level of skepticism towards their economic philosophy that has enriched the rich and helped create the current financial brew-ha-ha.  In hindsight, a lot of Republican analysts blame the problem on Dubbya and a weak set of candidates for this election.  Other analysts are saying that in hindsight--especially with the financial mess--not choosing Romney was a big mistake. They feel like people should have forgiven his past liberal positions because he fit the mold for a staunch republican President--much like Reagan, who became more conservative over time.  No one had heard of Obama until the Democratic Convention 4 years ago, so there may be someone out there that will electrify the country who is currently unknown, giving republicans their own Obama. If I had to buy commodities now, I'd be going with Romney or Jindal. They both have conservative views--especially Jindal--and they have a lot gaudier resumes than Palin. McCain seems to crave power so much I wouldn't be surprised if he ran again in 2012--although with 4 more notches on the belt, his anger might actually cause him to explode so it's probably not a good idea.  

Back to Palin. This week she's talked about her support for ethanol--McCain opposes this--and she has done some off-the-cuff interviews with reporters (McCain's people cringe when this happens). Word has it that on the last long bus ride aboard the Straight Talk Express, McCain gave Palin the silent treatment. It will be interesting to see how vocal the supporters of both candidates get in their criticisms of each other after they lose. McCain has to try and repair the damage he's caused to his reputation, hoping that his fellow Senators will treat him with a small amount of respect after his lame campaign. Palin has the luxury of going back to the North Pole, where all the Alaskan elves love her and will be proud of the fact that she ran for VP. She'll be more popular than ever and she can blame everything on McCain's people muzzling her. I wonder how rogue she's willing to go these last 6 days. She should endorse Obama. That would be a great way to show her maverickiness.  Anyway, my middle-of-the-night rambling must come to an end. As for Palin and her rogue behavior, I only hope it's not because she's a secret muslim manchurian candidate.