As TheDC’s Alex Pappas noted, the big news to come out of the Sarah Palin Newsweek cover story is that she believes she can win, and that her family is the only thing that could keep her from running for president. This line from Palin especially jumped out to me: “Thank goodness the field is not yet set.”
But while speculation about Palin’s future is clearly the most immediately newsworthy component, the long-term story might just be how the new Palin film, “The Undefeated,” is helping transform her narrative (as I suggested it might). Ultimately, of course, that could impact her decision regarding whether or not to run.
After all, it’s probably fair to say that Newsweek isn’t a pro-Palin outlet, and yet, this was a fairly flattering portrayal of Palin. And that seems to be largely based on points raised in the new film.
For example, Newsweek notes that, “Although [Palin] came to be known as a darling of the Christian right and a firebrand, her political identity in Alaska was that of a reformer with a pragmatic, nonpartisan bent.”
Despite her popularity as governor (and her impressive record of success), Palin has gotten little credit for her pre-McCain popularity and accomplishments.
Until now.
Palin’s penchant for independence — and of fighting the GOP establishment in Alaska — are points I’ve been making during interviews about “The Quotable Rogue” — and they are points hammered home in “The Undefeated.”
And here’s something else the film has finally addressed: Palin’s controversial decision to step down as governor of Alaska. It is very clear to me that Palin lost a lot of support with that move. Even I questioned the political sagacity of the decision, although, in retrospect, it was a very noble decision. Regardless, it allowed her critics to label Palin a “quitter” and a half-term governor.
But after seeing the film, here’s how Newsweek framed it:
After the 2008 election, Palin tried to do something that hadn’t been done in 20 years: return to the governor’s chair after defeat on a national ticket (Michael Dukakis was the last to manage it, in 1988). Former Democratic allies now treated her like the opposition, and disaffected Republicans were not inclined to come to the rescue. Political opponents bombarded her administration with ethics complaints, and, though all were ultimately dismissed or settled without finding of wrongdoing, Palin lost her motivation to stay in the job and fight. “It was like she was going to work every day in handcuffs,” Todd told me.
Is it possible that — just at the right time (and thanks in part to a film) — Sarah Palin is starting to regain control of her narrative?
