Opinion
Sarah Palin and Political Instability
By Richard Bishirjian, Ph.D.
Nov 20, 2009, 10:02

Sociologist and philosopher Robert Nisbet observed in Qwest for Community and other works that the growth in the power and responsibilities of the administrative “state” leads to loss of political authority and increased instability in modern society.  As the state absorbs the functions of intermediate institutions social relationships within families and local institutions are weakened and an inchoate, increasingly irrational, “mass” replaces communities formerly governed by informal networks of citizens associated with one another in voluntary associations. In historical terms this contributes to powerful, but weak, presidents of the United States. 

The string of recent failed presidents is impressive: Lyndon Johnson’s presidency was destroyed by civil unrest and disaffection with the Vietnam war.  Richard Nixon self-destructed in scandal.  Jimmy Carter’s domestic and foreign policy blunders assured that he would not serve two terms.  George Bush served two terms but was faced with economic and political problems that even an imperial President could not address successfully.  And, well, President Obama is reported to look like a “one termer.” 

Before jubilant Republicans, Libertarians and Conservatives break out the champagne they should notice some differences between, say, 1980 and 2012.  In 1980 a dynamic Republican presidential candidate running for nomination of his party for the third time faced a challenged incumbent President. 

In 2012 a challenged incumbent President faces a vacuum of opposition leadership not unlike the opposition President Bill Clinton faced in 1976 and President Ronald Reagan faced in 1984.  Bob Dole even coupled with Jack Kemp couldn’t orchestrate a program better than President Clinton’s and Walter Mondale’s proposal to raise taxes just didn’t surmount the popularity of the Gipper. The novel candidacy of Vice Presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro attracted a majority of younger women. Other women cohorts carried the incumbent. 

You have to have a horse to win a horse race and Republicans, though jubilant by the first signs of a failed presidency, don’t have a horse.  Mike Huckabee, criticized by Eagle Forum founder Phyllis Schlafly for destroying the conservative movement in Arkansas and the Club for Growth for raising taxes, is a former tubby cosmetically enhanced with appeal to a narrow constituency fundamentalist and Evangelical Christians. Mitt Romney has the peculiar advantage of being a conservative candidate who was formerly the liberal governor of Massachusetts. Tim Pawlenty, governor of Minnesota, is compromised for being an incumbent Governor and cheer leader for Bush Administration policies.  

Go down the list of potential candidates and you don’t find a convincing case for any of them. That brings to the forefront of public scrutiny the prospects of media phenomenon Sarah Palin.   

Though Sarah Palin surprises many because she seems to have little to commend her for high office, Palin is actually a common phenomenon in American politics—political celebrity without accomplishment.  

How many state Governors can you remember for their enduring accomplishments?  Tommy Thompson of Wisconsin for welfare reform is the only one I can remember, so Sarah Palin’s inexperience and general familiarity with foreign policy and public administration policies is hardly unusual. 

What is unusual about Sarah Palin is that she is packaged in a bombshell. Her explosive, exuberant, personality is eye-catching and her persistence against everything her opponents and sometime friends can throw at her suggests resolve, determination and perseverance similar to other successful politicians. Ronald Reagan comes to mind. And in interviews during Palin’s book tour aspects of her personal life have found expression that we didn’t see in her campaign appearances that were controlled by McCain insiders. 

Sarah Palin is a Christian believer. Palin’s personal life is centered in the Gospels and the message, life, death and resurrection of Jesus.  

On the upper East Side of Manhattan, “Evangelist” isn’t a good calling card.  Nor is unfamiliarity with concerns that absorb the attention of our liberal elites: global warming, abortion, poverty, alienation, and the stupidity of “bourgeois” fellow Americans. 

Palin represents everything this elite despises.  Consider that Palin gave birth to five children and still found time to run for Governor of Alaska.   

For educators it is nothing short of amazing that Sarah Palin overcame enormous obstacles to earn a baccalaureate degree.  In 1982 she attended Hawaii Pacific University.  From 1983-84 she attended North Idaho College. From 1984 to 1985 she attended the University of Idaho.  In fall 1985 she attended Matanuska-Susitna College in Palmer, Alaska.  Then she returned to Idaho, for spring 1986, fall 1986 and spring 1987, and earned a degree in journalism from the University of Idaho. 

Whew! 

Can you imagine the discipline that it took to earn a degree under those trying conditions?  And imagine the concentration it took to successfully pass courses in subjects that were of no interest and no visible benefit to her?  Consider also that the ridicule directed at Sarah Palin tends to come from critics who did very well in college, liked to study, and probably went to prestigious academic institutions without interrupting their studies to earn a living.  And despite a college education Sarah Palin retained her religious faith. 

That is a memorable accomplishment! 

Frankly, before critics write off Sarah Palin as a light weight non consequential politician they ought to consider how many educated citizens now believe that Harry Truman and Ronald Reagan were the best presidents of the United States in recent history.