Leonard Pitts Jr.: Sarah Palin, please run for president : News-Record.com : Greensboro & the Triad's most trusted source for local news and analysis

Dear Sarah Palin:

I hear you're pondering a run for the White House in 2012. Last week, you told Fox news it would be "absurd" to rule it out.

I'm writing to ask that you rule it in. I very badly want you to run for -- and win -- the Republican nomination for the presidency.

I know you're waiting for the punch line. Maybe you figure I think you'd be a weak candidate who would pave the way for President Obama's easy re-election.

That's not it. No, I want you to run because I believe a Palin candidacy would force upon this country a desperately needed moment of truth. It would require us to finally decide what kind of America we want to be.

Mrs. Palin, you are an avatar of the shameless hypocrisy and cognitive disconnection that have driven our politics for the last decade, a process of stupidification creeping like kudzu over our national life.

As Exhibit A, consider your recent speech at a so-called "tea party" event, wherein you dismissed the president as a "charismatic guy with a teleprompter." Bad enough you imply that teleprompter use is the mark of an insubstantial man, even though you and every other major politician uses them. But what made the comment truly jaw-dropping is that even as you spoke, you had penned on your left palm, clearly visible, a series of crib notes.

Mrs. Palin, if Obama is an idiot for reading a prepared speech off a teleprompter, what are you for reading notes you've inked on your hand like a school kid who failed to study for the big test?

In the Fox interview, you scored Obama for supposedly expecting Americans to "sit down and shut up" and accept his policies. But when asked when the president has ever said that, you couldn't answer. Obama, you sputtered, has just been condescending with his "general persona."

I found that a telling moment. See, ultimately what you represent is not conservatism. Heck, I suspect that somewhere, Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan are spinning like helicopter rotors at the very idea.

No, you represent the latest iteration of an anti-intellectualism that periodically rises in the American character. There is, historically and persistently, a belief in us that y'all just can't trust nobody who acts too smart or talks too good -- in other words, somebody whose "general persona" indicates they may have once cracked a book or had a thought. Americans tend to believe common sense the exclusive province of humble folks without sheepskins on the wall or big words in their vocabularies.

I don't mock those people. They are my parents, my family elders, members of my childhood church. I honor their native good sense, what mom called "mother wit." But if it is insulting to condescend to them, it is equally insulting to mythologize them.

More to the point, something is wrong when we celebrate mental mediocrity like yours under the misapprehension that competence or, God forbid, intelligence, makes a person one of those "elites" -- that's a curse word now -- lacking authenticity, compassion and common sense.

So no, this is not a clash of ideologies, but a clash between intelligence and its opposite. And I am tired of being asked to pretend stupid is a virtue. That's why I'd welcome the moment of truth your campaign would bring. It would force us to decide once and for all whether we are permanently committed to the path of ignorance, of birthers, truthers and tea party incoherence you represent, or whether we will at last turn back from the cliff toward which we race.

If the latter, wonderful, God bless America. If the former, well, some of us can finally quit hoping the nation will return to its senses and plan accordingly. Either way, we need to know, and your candidacy would tell us. If you love this country, Mrs. Palin, you can do it no greater service.

Run, Sarah, run.

E-mail: lpitts@miamiherald.com

Voice of Reason

February 15, 2010 - 7:17 am EST

Sooooooooooooooooo, you're advocating an unqualified, wishy-washy person ascend to possibly the most important political position in the world to do a terrible job and get more people to "become" Democrats? Really? Palin's entrance into the last election cost McCain as many votes as it got him- most intelligent people DO NOT WANT Sarah Palin at all!

I don't really care if the president is male, female, black, white, green, or silver- I want a president who is competent and speaks for the MAJORITY of Americans; one who doesn't run the country into the ground and figures out how to get out of the mess we're in, not dig us in deeper with programs that sink us into overwhelming debt. I want a president who won't quit when the going gets tough and leave the country hanging. I'm not really sure what Mr. Pitts is saying here, because quite contrary to many people's belief, being conservative, or even moderate, is not ignorant- its an opinion. Its an ideal, that some people choose to work hard for their money and keep as much of it as possible without letting a greedy, costly government give it away to those who haven't earned a damn thing or to expensive and unnecessary programs. I don't think that's too much to ask. Mr. Pitts seems to think his way is the best way, and that's his opinion, but he really needs to see that were Sarah Palin to get elected, it would be in nobody's best interests.

notoriousBLOG

February 15, 2010 - 7:51 am EST

Mr. Pitts is and has always been a promoter of the progressives. He wants nothing more than to have the government control your wealth and determine what it is that you need to live your life. If you don't agree with him or his politics then in his mind you are wrong. You see, you should not be left to determine you're own destiny, that should be the role of the government. In that way all will be equal, except of course the ones who are in power and they will have all that they desire.

Panacea

February 15, 2010 - 8:10 am EST

Voice, Mr. Pitts is advocating nothing of the sort. He's really not telling Palin to do anything.

He's challenging us, you and me. He's asking America to tell him what her values really are. He's telling us what his values are: intelligence, education, common sense, wisdom, and honesty.

What's he's written is called satire.

February 15, 2010 - 8:33 am EST

Panacea, a well chosen moniker.

Interested

February 15, 2010 - 8:56 am EST

If he truly does not recognize this as satire, Voice is one of those Americans Mr. Pitts speaks of.

February 15, 2010 - 9:22 am EST

I recognize satire well enough. The problem is Mr. Pitts actually DOES want Sarah Palin to run for president, and herein lies the problem.

February 15, 2010 - 10:37 am EST

Really? How do you justify that allegation?

Sawdust

February 15, 2010 - 7:57 am EST

It seems as though, despite her supposed lack of intelligence, Sarah Palin did a pretty good job as Governor of Alaska. I don't know about anyone else, but to me that is no small feat. In fact, it would appear that every job she tackled in her career(s) was handled in a competent fashion, enabling her to progress up the ladder of success. As opposed to certain other politicians, who personify the Peter Principle in action.

By all means, let us decide what knid of country we want: Barack Obama's America, in which only the intellectual class and government possesses the knowledge of what's best for us, or Sarah Palin's America, in which one does not require an Ivy-League PhD to make decisions about what our families need, and who should pay for it. I know which America would be the choice of James Madison, Ben Franklin, George Washington, and a host of others.

Pitts' call reminds me of an Uncle Remus tale: "Please, Brer Fox, don't throw me in that briar patch". Pitts might well be careful what he wishes for, because the attitude of the public seems to be changing, as Barack Obama's steadily declining numbers show. His wishes might not result in the happy ending enjoyed by Brer Rabbit. We have seen what a year of the most brilliant politician to ever appear on the American scene, ever, has done for us. And we don't like it very much. In fact, we don't like it at all, any of it.

AirDoc

February 15, 2010 - 8:11 am EST

Saw, you must be obtaining your intel from a different source than I am. I am yet to see anything that shows Palin has done a good job anywhere she's been, even in her own home. Fortunately we have more choices than the two you gave us. It's my guess that Madison, Franklin and Washington would have no part of either of the choices you listed. I don't know you so I can't speak for you, but all the Palin supporters I know are either idiots, or borderline idiots. That speaks volumes to me.

February 15, 2010 - 8:31 am EST

What are your sources? The same sources who told us how brilliant and, well, post-partisan Obama is, I would imagine. If Palin is such a fool, why does the left fear her so?

February 15, 2010 - 9:37 am EST

Saw - I'm not the left so I cannot answer your question. And I certainly don't fear her - I pity her.

newkid

February 15, 2010 - 10:07 am EST

The left fears Palin because the Republican-Conservative-Corporate interests have a history of choosing an unqualified, easily-manipulated presidential candidate (think Reagan and Bush II). They convince gullible middle class voters that the candidate is like them and for them. And then the candidate is elected and the big money interests who control that candidate proceed to steal the country blind (think "trickle-down economics" and the near-depression that George Bush lead us into).

Palin is the next potential candidate in this scam, but she makes Ronald Reagan and George Bush look like rocket scientists.

tahoeman1971

February 16, 2010 - 7:11 am EST

"They convince gullible middle class voters that the candidate is like them and for them"

Pot meet kettle! That is how Obama got elected also. All politicians use this tactic!

Yvonne

February 16, 2010 - 3:15 pm EST

AirDoc has nailed it, Sawdust. After the election, all sorts of unflattering stories of mismanagement and unreliability by Palin was reported. Even the people of Alaska and her home town. If you choose to disregard anything negative about Palin, that is your choice. But, like AirDoc, I do not fear her because I know she is superficial, as does many conservatives and republicans. Her disdain for education and intelligence came thru loud and clear during the campaign. This is only one of the reasons she is to be pitied. She is too stupid to know she is stupid. I normally do not use that word but in this case it fits so perfectly.

February 15, 2010 - 8:15 am EST

Oh, yes, Sawdust. I would always consider a quitter someone who does a good job *sarcasm*.

Every administration thinks it knows what is best for the country. That is the point of leadership. But there is no some conspiratorial "intellectual class" that is trying to impose a dictatorship. Rather, the Obama administration is built up of smart people who have what they believe are good ideas. Bear in mind, the administrations of many previous administrations have been PhD's, the Bush administration included (Condoleeza Rice). This isn't about sheepskins, and Palin knows it.

February 15, 2010 - 8:35 am EST

I assume you're referring to Palin's decision to step down as Governor. The best decision, imho, as the nutjobs on the left had made it clear that they would continue to torment her and make governing impossible. I believe that her approval numbers were about double those of Obama's current numbers, so I figure she did something right.

February 15, 2010 - 10:45 am EST

Governing wasn't impossible. It was difficult, in large part because of her interference with the Alaska Highway Patrol's personnel procedures.

Quitting her job as governor was all about staying in the national spotlight, so she could seek national office. It was a smart move in a purely tactical sense.

But she broke her promises to the people of Alaska when she quit. If she really quit because "leftwing nutjobs" were making it impossible for her to govern, then she's weak, and I don't want her in the White House. Being in the White House is all about dealing with nutjobs (right and left) who aren't happy with what you are doing.

Sanford got caught skipping the country to go to Argentina and see his mistress. He's still Governor of South Carolina. I may be disgusted by his actions, but I can't call him a quitter and he's taking the heat.

If, however, she quit for the reason I cite above, then she's simply more concerned with her own needs than the country's. She doesn't want to earn her accolades, she wants to manipulate for them.

February 16, 2010 - 3:20 pm EST

You are dead wrong, Sawdust. Palin's numbers are lower than Obama's. Look it up rather than guessing. Many republicans and independents are scared she will repeat her bid in 2012 and lose the election for them again.

dcolin

February 15, 2010 - 12:51 pm EST

-- "in other words, somebody whose "general persona" indicates they may have once cracked a book or had a thought. Americans tend to believe common sense the exclusive province of humble folks without sheepskins on the wall or big words in their vocabularies"

Sawdust: College is a waste of time, teaches things that are wrong, of no use
in making a living.

"In the Fox interview, you scored Obama for supposedly expecting Americans to "sit down and shut up" and accept his policies."

Sawdust, You say this all the time, claim he said this.

February 15, 2010 - 1:41 pm EST

http://www.thefoxnation.com/president-obama/2009/08/07/obama-critics-sto...

February 15, 2010 - 2:25 pm EST

"genius" Your claim ( top 2% ) not mine.
I'm just average I told you that.

College is a waste of time, teaches things that are wrong, of no use
in making a living.

This is what you claim.
Not me.

What test
What score
Who monitored.

From internet.

Your brag.

I'm just average.
However I did get educated to overcome my lack of superior intelligence.

February 15, 2010 - 3:54 pm EST

Are we there yet, Daddy? How much farther is it? I need to pee. I'm hungry. Make him stop hitting me, Daddy.

February 15, 2010 - 5:14 pm EST

Facts is facts.
Big hat like you say.

February 15, 2010 - 5:45 pm EST

As opposed to certain other politicians, who personify the Peter Principle in action.
I imagine the principal also applies to carpenters who start their own business.

What do you think?

February 15, 2010 - 6:09 pm EST

I doubt that you will find any of my customers who will agree with you. And they actually know a little bit about it, as opposed to you, who does not have a clue. Not the first clue, not even a little clue. You're just running your mouth, with no data to back it up. I guess that's why you like Obozo so much, you're both pretty good at running your mouth, with no experience to back your words. Yes, I can see why you like him a lot.

February 15, 2010 - 6:20 pm EST

See you jump to conclusions.

I did not say you.

Look into his principle.

He implies that everyone rises to their level of incompetence.
Go look.
Be pissed of at Peter not me.

February 15, 2010 - 5:51 pm EST

The principle is wide spread.
I think he said everyone.

Check it out

bangor

February 16, 2010 - 2:03 pm EST

Sawdust, I beg to differ with you. Sarah Palin was anything but a good Governor. And, when she finished her term as Mayor of her home town of Wasilla, she left it in deep deficit that in fact, they are still trying to get out of.
Her campaign promises were for fiscal responsibility and a transparent government but she did neither.
During her 18 month tenure, she gave away 1/2 a billion dollars to a Canadian gas pipeline company as an incentive to start the process of building a gas pipeline. This was done with absolutely no assurances or guarantees from the company, Trancanada, that it would ever get the pipeline built. In her speech at the RNC, She flat lied about the progress of the pipeline. In fact, the pipeline may never be built. Is this fiscal responsibility?

Get A Clue

February 15, 2010 - 7:58 am EST

...and they said irony died after 9/11. ;-)

It's obvious that satire and irony are concepts beyond the comprehension of our dittohead friends. That's one reason why Stephen Colbert has such a large audience: so many right-wingers watch because they think he's serious. (Like Ron White says, "You can't fix stupid.")

Hey, I'm all for a campaign by Sarah, too. Every time she speaks she outs a few more closted bigots and morons. It's fun to watch. Of course, sawdust outed himself long ago, so he's not even a challenge anymore.

February 15, 2010 - 12:02 pm EST

So how's all that hope and change working out for you Obamaroids? From my vantage point, B-plus is the incompetent fool. Do any of you Obamaroids consider his first year to be anything but a total failure? At least Palin realizes that you can't spend your way out of debt, a simple fact which has escaped the notice of B-plus. And she realizes that we need to be killing terrorists instead of providing lawyers for them. For such a brilliant man, B-plus sure does some stupid things.

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