A phase coined by conservative blogger Michelle Malkin, Palin derangement syndrome is when unhinged liberals create crazed stories about Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin. But what happens when unhinged conservatives attack their own for pointing out the obvious?
That’s what happened when Townhall.com columnist Kathleen Parker suggested that, given her shameful explanation of her supposed foreign policy credentials in an interview last week with CBS News’ Katie Couric, Palin would be doing McCain a favor if she just stepped aside as his running mate.
Come on, this is not an unhinged, crazed liberal opinion. There are credible reasons why Americans should doubt Palin’s ability to serve a heart beat away from the commander-and-chief.
So, the conservative reaction?
Speak correctly, or build a big bunker
Kathleen Parker
For the Chicago TribuneWASHINGTON — Allow me to introduce myself. I am a traitor and an idiot. Also, my mother should have aborted me and left me in a Dumpster, but since she didn’t, I should “off” myself.
Those are just a few nuggets randomly selected from thousands of e-mails written in response to my column suggesting that Sarah Palin is out of her league and should step down.
Who says public discourse hasn’t deteriorated?
The fierce reaction to my column has been both bracing and enlightening. After 20 years of column writing, I’m familiar with angry mail. But the past few days have produced responses of a different order. Not just angry, but vicious and threatening.
While death threats might be considered elevating the level of discourse in fundamentalist, Islamic nations, is this really the debate we want to have in this country? Have the terrorists already won?
Can’t the right have the decency to accommodate at least a dissenting voice?
[...] interviews have tarnished the Alaska maverick’s image, even bringing some conservatives to openly opine that she step down from the ticket. But Palin’s performance Thursday largely dismissed those [...]