From PFAW
Dear Daniel,
The criticism of Sarah Palin by the media and the progressive blogosphere this week has been intense, but their focus has missed what is important: it's not the writing on her hand, it's the writing on the wall.
On Saturday, Palin delivered the keynote speech at the first "National Tea Party Convention" in Nashville. It was a broad, right-wing political barn burner, incorporating Religious Right rhetorical swipes and jabs at Obama's foreign policy -- things the Tea Party movement itself has never been about. But it did also included plenty of obligatory red meat attacks on the Democrats' agenda and Obama administration initiatives famously unpopular with that crowd -- the stimulus, health care reform.
To the amusement of pundits, Palin was seen on camera checking crib notes she had written on her hand as she delivered the speech. She taunted the millions of Americans who, driven by a sincere desire for change, were inspired by Barack Obama's candidacy for president: "How is that hopey-changey stuff working out for you?"
Beyond the theatrics, her speech was full of empty rhetoric aimed at capitalizing on the anti-establishment rage that defines the Tea Party movement. It was riddled with inaccuracies and bent the truth. But more important than what it lacked, is what it revealed and acknowledged:
1. That the Right is running on empty. They have no ideas or solutions for dealing with the significant problems that we face. Their movement at this time is all about exploiting and inciting the rage of disaffected and frustrated Americans.
2. As the Tea Party movement becomes increasingly co-opted by the Republican establishment, the tea party narrative has managed to become the narrative of the Right Wing.
Whatever "populism" the Tea Party movement once possibly had, Palin's speech might have signaled its end. The anti-establishment anger that the movement purports to speak to is very real, and how we as Americans deal with this anger will have tremendous influence on the future of our country.
Some in the Democratic Party think that trying to appease the Tea Party element is smart short-term politics. But this will lead nowhere. We need your help to fight against this dangerous thinking. With your support, People For the American Way will help make sure that Tea Party politics don't limit Americans' options on Election Day to a choice between somewhat right-wing and ultra right-wing.
As always, your continued support is deeply appreciated.
Sincerely,
Michael B. Keegan, President
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