The one thing that Gov Palin has not been short of since the election has been advice from Republicans and the media – stand for governor again in 2010, go for the Senate, go for POTUS 2012, wait until 2016, write a book, go into the media, give up politics and concentrate on her family – the options are endless.As an outside observer, however, it strikes me that she is intelligent enough and shrewd enough to make up her own mind. I think that maybe she has already decided on a course – I believe she is going de Gaulle.
General de Gaulle entered France alongside the Allies at the head of his Free French army after years of exile in London. Initially greeted as a returning hero by the French he served as the President of the Provisional Government but within two years he had resigned, disillusioned by the re-emergence of the old inter party squabbles that had characterised the pre-war regime.For the next few years he led his own political party but, tiring of the political rat race in 1953 he withdrew from public life and retired in self imposed internal exile to his home in the village of Colombey-les-Deux-Eglises to write his war memoirs, and many pundits wrote him off as a man whose time had passed.
His followers, however, retained their cohesion because they saw de Gaulle as a man of destiny who one day would be called forth from his exile by the people of France to rescue them at a time of great danger – which is exactly what happened in 1958 when France was torn apart by the Algerian crisis. The General returned to office but this time on his own terms and remained in power for the next decade.
Since the Alfalfa Dinner Gov Palin appears to have chosen Alaska as her own Colombey-les- Deux-Eglises, far enough away from the mainstream of US politics, concerning herself with her responsibilities as Governor and keeping a distance between herself and the spotlight, just as de Gaulle did in the 1950s. She has stayed away from CPAC, she did not attend the NGA, causing some irritation amongst some elements who would prefer her to act as some Joan of Arc type figure scorching across the lower 48 thrusting and slashing at the President and Congress. Staying out of the spotlight is not an option for some of these folk who often see politics as showbiz where your PR people will tell you that you have to be forever working on your next film or album to remain in the public eye.But the Governor does not need any of that – like de Gaulle she is so deeply impressed upon the public’s imagination that she needs no PR, she is simply there.
De Gaulle was relatively unknown to the French people in 1940 but millions of them heard his broadcast from London at the moment of their deepest despair and in those few minutes he became the inspiration and hope for so many. Governor Palin walked onto the stage at the Republican Convention, electrified millions and stole their hearts forever with her grace, her honesty and her love of life sealing there and then a contract and covenant of support through fire and flood whatever may happen. Camille Paglia called her an immensely talented politician whose time had not yet come. But perhaps, one day, just as in 1958 with de Gaulle, a message will go across Canada to the north saying her time has come – and then the banners must unfurl…..
Awesome post! We’re add you to the C4P blog roll.
Rock on!
Great analogy – loved it!
Enjoy reading. I really hope Gov Palin will be president someday.
Terrific analogy. I think you’ve hit the nail on the head, and I can’t wait for Sarah’s time to come.
Your words give me shivers!
But perhaps, one day, just as in 1958 with de Gaulle, a message will go across Canada to the north saying her time has come – and then the banners must unfurl…..
From your pen to the ear of …. fill in the blank 🙂
“Awesome post! We’re add you to the C4P blog roll.
Rock on!”
X 2
Gov Palin will be President Palin one day. It may be 2012 (my personal hope) or 2016, but it will happen, and the Republic envisioned by the framers of the U.S. Constitution will be restored.
What a wonderful and insightful article. I feel that it is a quite accurate analysis and a very nice parallel. Governor Palin has stepped back for a while, and I am sure that she already has her future planned She will be back when the time is right.
Great article, keep up the fine work. America needs hope for the future, and the prospect of a leader to get us out of the mess the next 4 years will bring. I hope our economy can hold on through Obama’s wrath and destruction.
What a splendid piece of analysis! Thanks very much for the post.
Well said! Governor Palin: “The rumors of my demise are greatly exagerated.” Every game has an ebb and flow. She is obviously a PLAYER.
Just as Charles De Gaulle had ‘a certain idea of France’ so Governor Plain has ‘a certain idea of America’. Splended post!
With President Obama’s unprecedented spending I think our “Algerian Crisis” will be here by 2012. Love the way Gov. Palin is reducing Alaska’s budget vs. Pres. Obama increasing the USA budget after borrowing $780 Billion on the recovery plan and $350 Billion of TARP 2 money!
Right on the spot. It is wise of her to stay out of the spotlight. The next three years will be quite testing for both the US (because of an activist president as never before) and the GOP (right now rudderless and at the mercy of the Obamania and de Democratic Party). In 2011 she could make quite a comeback either as leader of the second or as saviour of the first. It is telling how she is governing Alaska with a truly pragmatic approach, which is a stern contrast with what other GOP leaders propose, and with what President Obama is pushing for. I really hope she bides her time like De Gaulle (although I pray that she is nothing like him!).
Well done. I’ve linked to the article here: http://irishspy.typepad.com/public_secrets/2009/03/wasilla-as-colombey.html
As far as political commentary goes this article is GENIUS. Why it hasn’t been picked up by the largest GOP sites and blanketed across the globe is beyond me. Wait. No it’s not. It’s a positive, thoughtful article about the Gov. that is lacking the petty, personal attacks our ‘best and brightest’ are so fond of. Thank you for writing it.
I remember his radio address from Algiers, beginning, “Je vais ce que vous avez fait ici.”
The only reason Palin is lying low is because she has so many crises in her personal and political life to deal with. Feuding with the Johnstons and dealing with her numerous ethics charges, for example. Any politician who owes a lawyer half a million dollars because she chooses to ignore the rules DOES NOT deserve to hold office. Think about it: if this were a Democratic politician, you would all be howling for her impeachment.
The 2008 Republican National Convention .
She made her first impression………….
Sarah Palin's big moment in St Paul last night. The young governor of Alaska issued a rallying cry to the conservative Republican base that will go down in the annals of the culture wars as one of the most energising opening salvos of recent times.
I was just your average hockey mom, and signed up for the PTA … I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a "community organizer," except … ROFLOL
And the she debated Joe Biden…
She killed. She had him at "Nice to meet you. Hey, can I call you Joe?" She was the star. He was the second male lead, the good-natured best friend of the leading man.
Remember?
To you surprised, scared, hateful, wetting in your bed liberals ……………
***BEHOLD*** The Second Coming of SARAH PALIN!!!
No handlers, just an ordinary citizen.
And it’s going to be 24/7 Sara Palin. And it ain’t going to STOP!!!
I got a thrill up my leg…………….
I love to see liberals and RINO’S heads explode…………..
I love watching TV………….
I love going to sleep each night with a smile on my face……………..