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John Ziegler’s Review of Going Rogue

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by John Ziegler | 12:00 am, November 17th, 2009

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Perhaps the most important (as well as substantive) elements involve Palin’s critique of the news media and her explanation of why she felt she had to resign.

Many media members (Charlie Gibson, Norah O’Donnell, Andrea Mitchell) are specifically called out, but Katie Couric is rightfully eviscerated for her conduct during her numerous interviews with Palin (for which Couric was laughably given a Walter Cronkite Journalism Award from USC). This was not done (as it has been portrayed in the news media) out of spite or revenge, but rather, as Palin proves in the book, because Couric’s agenda was as clear as it was inappropriate. I just wish Palin had gone into even more detail (as my documentary does) about how CBS edited that now infamous set of interviews with the obvious intent of making Palin look as bad as possible.

I was thrilled to see Palin deal fully and candidly with the much misunderstood issue of her resignation. I have been both privately and publicly critical of her for not laying a better foundation for people to understand why she had to what she did. In Going Rogue Palin finally lays it all out it in way that should make everyone short of Keith Olbermann understand it (I am still happy to explain it to Keith if he has the guts).

I strongly believe that if every Republican primary voter reads this book, Sarah Palin will win the 2012 nomination in a landslide, whether she wants it or not.

As for the book’s revelations, I have had to laugh at the ones that the media still suffering from full-blown “Palin Derangement Syndrome” have chosen to highlight in a desperate and transparent attempt to diminish a potential reader’s reasons for buying the book. Here are just some (a “Top Ten” if you will) of the subjects that she tackles that I found far more interesting than those about which you may have already heard.

What Palin calls John Kerry because of his infamous “Stuck in Iraq” joke.

How Palin has changed her mind on how Hillary Clinton handled unfair media coverage.

That one of Palin’s greatest regrets in the campaign deals with Reverend Jeremiah Wright.

How she now sees her campaign predictions for what an Obama presidency would look like.

What she was doing just moments before her amazing convention speech (if she were a Democrat I guarantee that this story would be highlighted in every “sneak peek” news article and would become the stuff of instant legend).

What Palin-written jokes SNL rejected in order to protect Alec Baldwin (they were funnier than those eventually approved by the show’s producers).

How many times Katie Couric badgered Palin about the issue of abortion, hoping for her to out herself as a religious nut.

The moment that inspired Palin to go into politics, which makes her much more of a real environmentalist than Al Gore.

How much the McCain vetting team REALLY knew about her and her family when she was chosen.

How she is actually extremely gracious and charitable to Steve Schmidt, who I personally know as a blatant liar and who really ought to read the book before he makes a further fool of himself (if that is even possible).

Of course, what everyone really wants to know is whether she is going to run for president in 2012. I have stated my personal opinion to her personally as well as to the Today Show audience: that I believe she would be best to wait until 2016 to run for President (assuming she even has any desire to do so), mostly because I still maintain that Obama is a heavy favorite for reelection.

Before I read this book I was pretty much convinced that Palin would not run for President in 2012 and that she was accepting of the possibility that she will never run for political office again. I now believe that it is very possible that she will run in 2012. This is not because I have read the tea leaves and discovered a hidden message (which, for the record, I did before her resignation), but rather because I believe that if this book is the success that it could and should be, there will be a groundswell among the Republican base demanding that she run. I strongly believe that if every Republican primary voter reads this book, Sarah Palin will win the 2012 nomination in a landslide, whether she wants it or not.

Even if nothing like that ever transpires, I am excited by what I read from Sarah Palin. I had come to believe that all the criticism she and her family have endured had left her a bit “punch drunk” and that her special essence as a political figure had been permanently contaminated, at least to some small extent. Thankfully, I was wrong. The real Sarah Palin is alive and well, and now you have the chance to finally find out who she is and understand why millions of her fans are so devoted to her, even when she is just a private citizen who cares deeply about her country.

In 2008, John Ziegler wrote, directed and produced the documentary “Blocking the Path to 9/11″ and created www.HowObamaGotElected.com as a precursor to his next film, “Media Malpractice… How Obama Got Elected,” which came out in early 2009 and screened in over 20 theaters. A trailer video for that documentary has been viewed by at least 2.3 million people on You Tube.

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Facebook User

make MSNBC salivate? dont flatter yourself, john. your praising of sarah palin and her book makes most people, let alone MSNBC, burst into uncontrollable laughter. the day that we see you, or your ilk, being critical of sarah palin is the day sarah palin is able to utter a sentence without sounding like an uneducated illiterate.
tjl

And that, boys and girls, is the untold story of how babies are made.

This post was NSFW. How about a little warning next time.

I wasn’t sure if I was reading a book review or watching The Notebook.

More?

Mark Chapman called, he wants his gig back.

Ummm…

“For many reasons, this is by far the best book and greatest literary achievement by a political figure in my lifetime.” – John, I think you you mistook the words “best book and greatest” for the word “only” and forgot to put the words “i’ve read” in between ‘figure’ and ‘in’… sorry, that one’s a bit confusing…

One more??….

Not since Melanie Rehak reviewed The House of Mirth have I been more inspired to read! (c’mon!! the last ones are never that good)
http://www.facebook.com/people/Butch-Bertone/530213249 Butch Bertone

Sarah Palin’s accomplishments in Alaska are commendable whether liberalists desire to admit it or not.
If one does not at least note her achievements as a wife, mother, political figure, Governor; et all; then this merely reflects ignorance and/or a bias.

Why do ‘Women’ seem to get bashed more than men? Hillary & Sarah; why? ‘Bashing is a Business’ that is making many people a lot of money and is a media methodology that is putting losers into Political Office.
salbern

Thanks for a comprehensive review John – I admire her and she has every right to set the record straight. I heard one analyst say she whined throughout the book – I didn’t read it that way and it appears that she will continue to be attacked unfairly. It doesn’t matter if she has political ambitions or not, she is an example of a good parent, a good wife and a good citizen. I think John McCain should be the one criticized; he chose her to shock the campaign, the country and the world – he and his advisors were looking for a “gimmick” and made a rash decision not in the best interest of Sarah Palin (who stepped up to the plate) or the Republican Party. I think his staff was angry at him for doing this and took it out on Sarah Palin. And I believe that is why she is so popular – she was a sincere candidate, answering the call of her Party and her Country – ready to serve! She was not ready for the presidency in 2008 and neither was Mr. Obama, which is confirmed with each passing day.
Ted

“For many reasons, this is by far the best book and greatest literary achievement by a political figure in my lifetime.”

Well…sure it is. One of two things going on here. Either Ziegler has a massive crush on this woman or he needs to get out more. Maybe both.
The_Klute

Wow, I’m impressed. It must be difficult to write a whole book review with just one hand.
ingenieux

“Wow, I’m impressed. It must be difficult to write a whole book review with just one hand.”

HAHAHA!!! That’s fantastic!
jimmymaher

How she is actually extremely gracious and charitable to Steve Schmidt, who I personally know as a blatant liar and who really ought to read the book before he makes a further fool of himself (if that is even possible).
I find this part interesting.
Vitamin C
clayguy

I’m one of those who pre-purchased.. just got the notice yesterday it was shipped but won’t be here where I live for two weeks… so I’m going to Bozeman Mt and buying another copy… just can’t wait two weeks to read it… lol
Palin in 2012
VaClassicrider

Thank you John! And for the lefties who can’t seem to comment without resorting to elementary school style words, phrases and tactics; your jealousy and concern that there is someone who is real and can get people fired up, really gets under your skin!!! Kind of like that splinter you just can’t get to! I’m lovin’ all of your comments while your elected liberals are the cancer that will destroy your beloved party! Notice, not one person here that made a comment didn’t fire back at your childish words at all! There must be something about that! And… if they do/did… it would be respectful, not childish.

For those of you that want to say she is “getting” back and “only” has an axe to grind making untruthful comments (the media has already started). This woman is the one who cleaned house in Alaska, within her own party! So, who do you think I will believe, Sarah or some political adviser who is only going to play CYA?

Liberals… your days are number! You have finally woken the working sleeping giant! (Oh, that’s know as a conservative).
Ted

VaClassicrider – first of all your spelling is at least as horrible as our beloved and angelic/saintly/pure to the bone/God like Sarah’s spelling is (big sigh)!! It’s actually “…your days are numbered” and “Oh, that’s know as a conservative” should read “…known as a Conservative.” Are you two hanging at the same coffeehouse!?

I’ll bet dollars to doughnuts you’ve got one big poster of “Sarah” taped to your wall.

PS – Don’t take it personally, people correct my spelling all the time. Well, actually just one guy does but I’m good with it.
incredulous

Oh, lord, thanks for the hearty laugh. This is the best satire I’ve read in a long time. “John Ziegler,” your assumption of the typical over-the-top, fact-free, hyperbolic Sarah Palin fanatic is spot on, and just hilarious.

I almost wet myself a little at: “For many reasons, this is by far the best book and greatest literary achievement by a political figure in my lifetime.” And the “backstory!” The fake documentary with the awful, awful title, the tidbit that you gave Sarah advice, publicly and privately…oh, my, it’s all too perfect!

Do you do stand up? What’s your real name? You are funny!
chuck

I’m guessing that most, probably all, of the mocking comments on here are by people who haven’t read the book. Still, I don’t think Ziegler does the book any favors with a tone that at least comes across as hyperbolic…. “greatest literary achievement” of his lifetime? How old is he? If he’s sincere about this, it would carry more weight and lend more seriousness to his review (which could then perhaps be read as positive yet thoughtful and critical rather than just advertising from a die-hard fan)if he had cited other books by political figures he thought were great and then done some comparison…

I haven’t heard Ziegler’s defense of Palin’s resignation as governor, but John Tantillo actually published a piece that also defended her choice. Since he’s a marketer and writes about everything from a branding angle, he argued that it was the right move because her reasons were consistent with her brand http://blog.marketingdoctor.tv/2009/07/08/john-tantillos-brand-winner-and-loser-sarah-palin-and-political-pundits.aspx

But even Tantillo criticized the book–for its focus on the past. http://blog.marketingdoctor.tv/2009/11/17/tantillos-brand-winner-and-loser-khalid-sheikh-mohammed-and-sarah-palin.aspx He maintains that Palin, like Obama, had “forward motion” (a branding term he coined) going for her–they both seemed fresh, new. In turning her attention to the dissection of the campaign rather than looking forward to something, anything, I think she has hurt her ‘brand’ and lost out on an opportunity to expand her base.

(An article on CSM has a cool map and explains her book tour strategy–which does make a lot of sense– http://patchworknation.csmonitor.com/csmstaff/2009/1120/why-sarah-palins-going-rogue-tour-looks-like-a-campaign/ )
jcil

Thanks for the interview. Loved Media Malpractice and look forward to this book. As always love and truth will remain, even when deeply shaken.
nordskoven

Sarah Palin is Harry Truman in a skirt. Harry Truman was a corruption-buster within his party as was Palin with Republican oil interests in Alaska. The forthright and engaging Truman was also mocked as a simpleton. Even after election to the presidency, Truman’s daughter, Margaret, was ruthlessly demeaned for banging away on the piano to entertain the family. Dewey was projected to win the presidency because all the media insiders second-guessed American voters. So it is with Palin. Her populist appeal is the iceberg waiting to sink the unsinkable while the corrupt Titans of Chicago socialism rearrange the deck chairs.
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