"The first problem with this argument is that, er, Palin is unlikely to become a policy wonk because she is not very smart. What's more, Douthat's argument is tautological. Sure, it would be nice for the GOP if Palin and Huckabee were interested in policy. But if they were interested in policy, then they would not be so appealing to the GOP base. In other words, the problem is that a large part of the right has no interest in a policy wonk, and sneers at intellectuals and elites and the types of people Douthat would like to see running the party. A candidate who was interested in learning the ins and outs of the welfare state and health care policy is unlikely to ever achieve Palin/Huckabee levels of popularity with the grassroots."
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Palin And Huckabee Will Never Be Serious
Isaac Chotiner points out the obvious reason why neither Palin nor Huckabee should ever be let near the White House. The reason they are popular with much of the grassroots is that they quite happy in their ignorance.
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The first problem with Chotiner’s observation (other than its drippy condescension) is that, er, what Palin and Huckabee have that Obama and his wonky apologists don’t have is common sense. The grassroots don’t live in Ivory Towers where ideas reverberate in an intellectual echo chamber; they live in real life where ideas have consequences and common sense rules. And that is why a Palin or a Huckabee could, not only get near the White House, but move into it. The ‘ignorant’ recognize authentic genius when they see it.
“Common sense is genius dressed in its working clothes.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
Based upon the preceding comment, the prosecution rests.
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