Even her legions of detractors had to concede this about Sarah Palin’s Harley-jumpstarted “One Nation” East Coast tour: She really, really knows how to attract attention. Her high-profile participation in the “Rolling Thunder” (mainly Vietnam veterans) motorcycle procession from the Pentagon to the National Mall was well chronicled and well orchestrated.
But what exactly was it that was so well chronicled and orchestrated?
It was, arguably, the latest installment of the ever-ramping, rapidly ratcheting SarahShow. Despite dropping disingenuous hints of presidential ambition–such as acknowledging she does, indeed, have that litmus-testy “fire in the belly”–Palin is running for GOP kingmaker and ultimate, ever-richer GOPster celebrity.
Losing a presidential nomination race to a charisma-challenged nominee would undermine her brand name. Her obvious strategy: Leave ’em wondering for a while longer and play the speculation game through the summer. While keeping her Fox gig and maxing out on the political-pander circuit. Then leave ’em contemplating what might have been in the best of all parallel universes.
By quitting as the governor of a state with as many people as Kathy Castor’s congressional district, she has already shown a side that doesn’t comport with the fabled American work ethic and nose-to-the-grindstone spirit she ostensibly embodies. The 2008 election showed her to be an embarrassingly uninformed political diva. In the subsequent years, she has not made a concerted effort to learn. Not even close. A reality TV show, a ghost-written book, hefty speech honoraria and regular Fox exposure have been her lucrative priority. She’s already defied the Peter Principle. She won’t be pushing it further.
Last Sunday’s Harley show was certainly no “Rolling Blunder.” As a media magnet, she kept her profile high. She gave autographs, posed for photos, gave coyly cute responses about her presidential aspirations and then boarded her “One Nation” bus for the trip to New Hampshire–via Mount Vernon, Fort McHenry and the Liberty Bell. The only possible downside: anyone who felt that she hogged headlines better suited for Memorial weekend, war-hero honoring.