Sarah Palin's 'Queen of the Tea Party' video
The Alaskan conservative's PAC has released another inspirational campaign-style video. Does it position her as the de facto leader of the Tea Party?
The video: Sarah Palin's political action committee has released a new campaign-style video reminiscent of her July "Mama Grizzlies" video (which some pundits interpreted as the opening salvo in a presidential run). The new spot, a paean to the Tea Party — driven by a heart-pounding, suspenseful soundtrack — intercuts footage of flag-waving Tea Partiers with shots of Palin meeting, greeting, and orating. Her voice-over declares the grassroots movement "the future of politics" and underlines how "proud" she is to be associated with it.
The reaction: This is an "out-and-out campaign ad" for the Tea Party designed to ride the buzz resulting from "O'Donnell's big upset" in Delaware, says AllahPundit at Hot Air. It's also, says Greg Sargent at The Washington Post, a "pretty transparent effort [on Palin's part] to position herself as the movement's national standard bearer." That's a risky move for a presumptive presidential candidate, says Nicole Allan at The Atlantic. No one knows what the significance of the Tea Party will be in 2012, and running as the movement's candidate might "alienate establishment donors and endorsers." Watch the video here:
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Ottawa climate talks: can global plastic problem be solved?
In the spotlight Nations aim to draft world's first treaty on plastic pollution, but resistance from oil- and gas-producing countries could limit scope
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Netherlands split on WFH for sex workers
Speed Read Councils concerned over 'nuisance' of at-home sex work, but others say changes will curb underground sex trade
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
'He adored Trump, and then rejected him'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
Henry Kissinger dies aged 100: a complicated legacy?
Talking Point Top US diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner remembered as both foreign policy genius and war criminal
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Last updated
-
Trump’s rhetoric: a shift to 'straight-up Nazi talk'
Why everyone's talking about Would-be president's sinister language is backed by an incendiary policy agenda, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
More covfefe: is the world ready for a second Donald Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question Republican's re-election would be a 'nightmare' scenario for Europe, Ukraine and the West
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published