Faithlessness in Little Things (UPDATED)

So done with McCain.

He was supposed to be the Herald of a different tone coming to DC and Governor Palin was symbolic of that difference. His honorable military service was supposed to be emblematic of his fidelity to this country. But he couldn't even cover the six of his second-in-command for the non-shooting war--the 2008 presidential campaign. Here's what he said about the Palin "leaks" on the Jay Leno show last night: "These things happen."

Would it kill you, Senator, to at least denounce the childish gossip put forth by sources too cowardly to be named, too feckless to face a frontal rebuttal of their assertions?

Funny. George W. Bush spent a few years in the Texas Air National Guard and McCain spent 20+ years in the active duty Navy (counting the USNA) but Bush seems to know more about leadership, loyalty and protecting his subordinates than McCain ever learned, the Faith of his Fathers notwithstanding.

Thanks for nothing, GOP.

(Thanks to Hot Air)

UPDATE:

Melissa Clouthier:

By either 1) allowing his people to tear her down and do nothing to stop it or 2) encouraging her demise because it gives his failed campaign a scapegoat, he demonstrates either an incredible lack of discipline and leadership or a huge deficit of character. In short, this episode confirms the conservatives’ initial reservations about him.

Just sayin'.

NOT REALLY OFF TOPIC: For those of you who have daughters, make sure your girl is involved in some sort of team-based organization like softball or soccer or girl scouts--some entity in which your girl must be part of the team; someplace where she must co-exist, interact, work together with others, be lead and, eventually, lead. Why? Because your girl will be a woman someday and women need to understand things like interdependence, teamwork and loyalty. Your son-in-law will thank you and your girl willl most likely pick the type of man who would do so.

Why am I saying this? I have found that several women don't get what is so bad about McCain's actions in this matter and think that I'm asking for some form of male chivalry from him toward Palin. Too many women don't get the special relationship between the leader and the subordinate. (Trust me, I was well into my Air Force career before I got it.)

Too many women don't get the evil--yes evil--of faithlessness.

Comments

[Casey]

It sounds a little like he's trying to dismiss the leaks as sour grapes from trivial members of his staff. Sort of.

But. If that's the best he can do off the cuff, I don't know that I could take another four years of "Bush II" while his supporters cringe.

Agreed that something simple, like "Look, some malcontents tried to stir up trouble. Their leaks are not only wrong, they're not true. Sarah Palin is a great politician, etc," would have been far more effective.

Mac also got snookered by that "off message" question; he very nearly flat-out said yes. Smooth as sandpaper, that.

Not that Barry "I see dead vets who talk to Nancy Reagan" Obama has anything to brag about in that respect either.

I guess the question now is: just who or what is McCain maneuvering for, now? He's obviously not putting up much of a fight for his XO.

[Malcolm Kirkpatrick]

"(J)ust who or what is McCain maneuvering for, now?"

John McCain.

The simplist explanation is, he wants to be important and the news media (including, for many Democrats under 40, late night comedy) can help him more than fiscal or social conservatives.

[Janette]

Have no doubt that if Sarah Palin were a Democrat John McCain would be her fiercest defender.

[JLawson]

I think she was an acceptable candidate... as long as she was window dressing for McCain. Once she outshone him, she became something of a threat or liability. After all - does a President want a VP who is more popular than he is? (The sensible answer, I think, would be "Whatever gets me the votes!" But, fortunately, I'm not infected with the rampant egotism needed to be a politician.)

Liabilities need not be supported. Threats need to be neutralized.

She REALLY threatens the status quo in Washington - all the 'scratch my back, I'll scratch yours' networks, the people who went to the 'right schools' and know the 'right people' in the 'right places' - AND she's death on governmental corruption.

What's not to hate?

It's unfortunate that our politicians seem more dedicated to preserving their privileges than letting those who are capable and competent get into the club.

[Deathknyte]

I am not surprised. mccain lives only to glorify himself.

[PeggyU]

Yes, he should have said it was cowardly and that the press was irresponsible for picking it up and running with it they way they did.

More disturbing than that, though, is that we have so few Republicans left in congress ... and too many of them are like this guy.

[Samantha]

I'm still on the fact that so many seem so willing to believe that a governor of one of these great United States didn't know that Africa was a continent rather than a country. How gullible must you be to believe that?

[Lazarus Long]

A pure failure in leadership style. He should have jumped all over Leno's question.

[IronMike]

I'm with you J...although I was against him from the start, but I had no say as I couldn't vote in the primaries as I am not a registered Democrat, er um, I mean, Republican.

[jana]

I kept saying throughout the campaign that I wasn't voting "for" McCain, I was voting "against" Obama. And I'm sure a lot of other people felt that way, too. I consoled myself by saying that he was an honorable and decent person.

Wrong. This treatment of Sarah Palin is terrible and I am utterly disgusted by it.

As upset as I am that Obama won the election, I am kind of glad that McCain lost.

Maybe in 2012 we will have a candidate that is Conservative AND honorable, instead of being stuck with one that is neither.

Shame on you, John McCain

[Cobb]

Wow. Yes I tend to agree that McCain in the end exhibited many of the characteristics pundits and naysayers predicted. Right after the second debate, I started wondering why we couldn't have had Romney.

[DaveO]

Baldilocks,

I'm a long time reader, first time poster. Thank you for the opportunity to comment on your blog.

Senator McCain seems to have forgotten the first rule of command: 'Your subordinates are responsible for your success, You alone are responsible for your failure.'

Anything else is dishonorable.

Senator McCain failed in his personal duty to Governor Palin, as one human being to another. He dishonored himself by this sin of ommission, and our great Country may be better off for him having lost - what a disgraceful display of petulence!

My two cents, and again thank you for the opportunity to post.

[DarkStar]

"Honorable politician" is an oxymoron.

[DarkStar]

Oh, one other thing, that it is alleged she didn't know Africa is a continent vs. a country is not so unbelievable when you realize many people do not know the difference and couldn't name the 7 continents off of the top of their head.

[notropis]

"Oh, one other thing, that it is alleged she didn't know Africa is a continent vs. a country is not so unbelievable when you realize many people do not know the difference"

These "many people" are not governors of oil-producing states, nor have they been director of the Alaska Conservation Committee, responsible for Alaska oil and gas policy, and directly involved with delegations from Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Angola, Sudan, Libya, Chad and several other African NATIONS.

In addition, Sarah Palin actually graduated from college in the '80's, so it's pretty tough to imagine that she could have been unaware of South Africa (the actual country she supposedly didn't know existed), since all of us in college in those years were daily inundated with "Free Mandela," "Divest South Africa," "Krugerrands are evil," "Boycott Ray Charles for playing Sun City," and such like.

No, I'm not willing to believe that the governor of our nation's #1 oil producing state doesn't know that Africa is made up of many different countries.

[notropis]

And I'd even be willing to wager that she could name all of the "emirates" in the United Arab Emirates, which is more than I can do without googling them.

(Back about a decade ago when I lived in Texas, I was initially surprised that even the afternoon bartender in a cheap joint in Odessa could rattle off the names of all of the countries from Lebanon to Iran without a second thought.

"Well, my dad's in Abu Dhabi right now, advising their Interior Minister" she explained.)

No, I'll guarantee that Sarah Palin has a better handle on certain regions of the globe than Joe Biden does.

[DarkStar]

You assume politicians are knowledgeable, I hold no such assumptions, no matter what they do or whom they meet while in office.

[Ben-David]

OK - now that the core conservative base has demonstrated how good it is at sniffing out self-interested politicians (gosh that must be difficult, as they're so rare!) - how do you convince the growing number of "forever young" what-have-you-done-for-me-lately Americans that Republicans should govern?

You know - the growing numbers of people who grew up and live in suburban isolation and never learned the lessons of cameraderie, loyalty - who know nothing but selfish consumerism and the "get-spend-display" cycle of self-definition?

[ErikZ]

Too many women don't get the special relationship between the leader and the subordinate. (Trust me, I was well into my Air Force career before I got it.)

I was trying to put this into words, but Faithlessness is so self destructive I'm having trouble coming up with a reason not to use it.

Can you write about when you "got it"?

I'm thinking there's a link here between how the left has been treating leaders.

[mnotaro]

Wow, I am so disappointed in McCain for not standing up for Palin. But then I remember he is just a politician--we can not have any higher expectations for him than that. Just like Obama and his liberal illuminati following--they think he is some sort of Messiah. Well I've got news for the Obama followers--he is just a politician and he will let you down just like all the rest. He is no different...just wait until the honeymoon period is over!

[Bertie]

I had never considered your point as one of the lessons learned in all that stuff my daughter did growing up. Not just sports, girl scouts, drill team and cheerleading which were girls only, but also student government and organizations and activities with girls and boys, you name it, she did it, being led and leading.

It is no surprise she has been very successful in male dominated professions.

She is a Palin style feminist, if she has to prove herself, work a little harder, no problem. She'll just plow right through while recognizing what Palin exemplifies, she has a few advantages the men don't. She's smart, determined, very tough but always a woman.

It occurs to me, she immediately recognizes her place on the team and then not only knows when someone else doesn't recognize theirs or hers, she has been able to deal with them very effectively. Appropriately, nicely but without mercy.

[Steve]

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Would you like a Link Exchange with our new blog COMMON CENTS where we blog about the issues of the day? Check it out here...

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[jennifer]

While I am dissapointed that McCain didn't step up and defend Gov. Palin more, I recognize that he's in a spot where damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. If he does defend her, he'll come across as not seeing that she's a "big girl" who can more than take care of herself. If he doesn't defend her, he's seen as not chivalrous and cowardly. It's a no win situation for McCain.

We all ought to remember that ultimately, Gov. Palin kicks major a$$ and can take care of herself just fine.

[DonS]

Baldilocks nails it. Again.

In 2012, Palin will have 6 years as governor behind her, and she would be ready for the top job. She may, or may not, be the best choice in 2012, but she's a possible contender.

[Account Deleted]

"If he does defend her, he'll come across as not seeing that she's a "big girl" who can more than take care of herself. If he doesn't defend her, he's seen as not chivalrous and cowardly. It's a no win situation for McCain."

Both reactions represent double standards that, if indeed McCain subscribes to either one, he should not have chosen a woman for his ticket under any circumstances.

I'm pretty sure Bush 41 defended Dan Quayle, after all.

[Pamela D. Hart]

I think McCain should've defended her with a press conference-not on Leno. It would've been the "Maverick" thing to do.

[Dave C]

I am proud to say that I helped my community organize enough that I coached my 5 year old's daughter soccer team this last season.

It was her first season playing (and my first coaching) and played her heart out.

[Richard]

Juliette,

You're update is spot on. I've even found that on teams with bad coaches, the players can still develop the sense of teamwork and loyalty, although not nearly as well at they would with a very good coach/manager/whatever.

It goes without saying (but I'll say it anyway) that this is just as important for young men as well. It doesn't have to be football (my personal favorite) but any type of team sport.

The rest of your post is %100 on as well.

[Chevy Rose]

I also thought Sen. McCain "wimped" out condemning the leaks about Sarah on Leno's show (which I detest).

His nickname may have once been "Mustang", but now it's "Couldn't cut the Mustard".

I pray for our country.

[Pasadena Closet Conservative]

Governor Palin continues to sing his praises. That's class.

[Karen]

In retrospect, I'm irritated that McCain didn't get more passionate about many, many things, and he certainly should be putting the stops on this nonsense.

[Diana]

I'm asking for some form of male chivalry from him toward Palin.

Chivalry be damned. Forget that. McCain's a jackass. It's trans/ap/parent that he never had any respect for her in the first place.

Forgive me ... I'm not in a very good mood tonight.

There's no such thing as a "glass ceiling", ladies. Use your elbows and don't take any bulls**t. This passive/submissive crap makes me very angry.

Sorry, Juliette .. but, I'm probablly more conservative than thee ;)

[Me (edited)]

baldilocks sez Get a real email address and I will restore your comment.

[Laura(southernxyl)]

I'm not 100% sure that the Palin lies are coming from McCain's people. We know some of them aren't. Maybe none of them are, and if that's the case there really is nothing he can do about it, other than to state publicly that they are in fact lies.

I tried to see how many African countries I could name off the top of my head the other day, got up to 15 and had to stop. Thought of some more later. Geography's not really my thing. I do not believe that Palin didn't know that Africa was a continent.

[Coldwarkid]

McCain was such a gentleman in his concession speech, that it truly perplexes me to watch his reactions to this issue. What does Todd Palin's broken arm have to do with ambitious aides trying to find a job now that the campaign is over?

The last thing conservatives need is to fuel assaults from the liberal illuminati with GOP leaders' petty bickering.

Maybe McCain bought the lie that she cost him the election; maybe he's suffering from Palin-envy, due to the enormous crowds that she, the (non-war hero) newcomer brought out.

Whatever the case, I'm disappointed in him, and I'm convinced all the more that the D.C. old boys' club needs shaken up!

[Casey]

Darkstar (and others), if you haven't heard by now, the whole "Palin didn't know Africa was a continent" bit was a hoax.

...And it must be sad to be so pessimistic about nearly every representative in America...

[Xpressions]

The GOP should regroup, and holding grudges or pointing fingers is not the way to do so. I sure hope they get it together, or it will be more of the money spending social illuminati.

[Sleeping Beastly]

Maybe in 2012 we will have a candidate that is Conservative AND honorable, instead of being stuck with one that is neither.

We'd have a better shot at it if conservatives had bothered to vote third party instead of falling in behind yet another corrupt Republican politician. By casting votes for McCain, conservatives effectively told the Republican party that it didn't matter how lousy their candidates are, as long as the Democratic candidates are slightly worse. It also ensured that real conservative parties (like America's Independent Party and the Constitutionalists) remain off the national radar, and unlikely to play any significant role in upcoming elections. So Republicans have no incentive to change (except to move farther to the left to attract more "centrist" voters) and the real conservative parties are kept out of the process.

A vote for McCain may have been a vote against Obama, but it was also a vote against real conservative values.

[Subsunk]

I'll bet you are a kettle full of Leadership yourself, ma'am. You have the insight and the knack. The lack of faith and confidence in her from McCain was startling.

I love Sen McCain for his courage and leadership in the Navy. I have no quarrel that he marches to the beat of his own drum. However, he should not expect those of us who disagree with his undermining of policies we agree with to support and trust him when he has such a track record.

I always thought his leadership was sound, however, until this election. His lack of support to Gov Palin and his inability to stand up for her as a running mate against patently unfair charges lead me to feel as one of the troops would if I threw one of them to the wolves when I knew they were innocent.

I'll bet you were some kind of Leader when you served. I'd follow you. Your instincts are good and your principles are strong. We may not agree on everything, but what XO always agrees with the Captain anyway? Your job is to support him in his policies and not undermine them. Sarah Palin did that in spades. John McCain threw conservatives and our feelings to the wolves. He got what he deserved.

Subsunk