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Andrew Sullivan: Palin Is “Playing Games” And “Doing Performance Art”

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» 86 comments

Frequent Sarah Palin critic and Senior Editor for The Atlantic, Andrew Sullivan, did not disappoint in his appearance on The Chris Matthews Show. In responding to Palin’s video response to the Arizona shooting, Sullivan dismissed Palin as a political “game-player” who should have realized that “I don’t think this was the week to play a game.”

Sullivan said Americans are sick of games in politics and was disgusted that Palin, in her video, was “playing games a la Karl Rove and doing performance art, which is what this was – about her, and actually applying the term ‘blood’ to herself as opposed to [the victims in Arizona]“. CNN Reporter Gloria Borger added that she spoke to many Republicans, all who agreed “this was not a good week for [Palin].”

Regardless of the political wisdom of Palin’s video, whether it truly was a political “game” or merely an attempt to emphatically defend herself from the malicious accusations against her, is a question that will likely continue to be debated. Well at least until Palin’s next public statement.

Watch the clip from The Chris Matthews Show below:

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  • tatboy

    This coming from a “Palin birther/truther”.

  • writer

    Now why do I suspect that Sullivan would have also been bitching if Palin had not made a statement?

  • Duke

    tatboy said:
    This coming from a “Palin birther/truther”.

    and a limpwristed one to boot!

  • tatboy

    writer said:
    Now why do I suspect that Sullivan would have also been bitching if Palin had not made a statement?

    Because that is exactly what Olbermannn did one night. And the next day eviscerated her for daring to speak out.

  • Duke

    tatboy said:
    Because that is exactly what Olbermannn did one night. And the next day eviscerated her for daring to speak out.

    and that is why Rush beats the shit out of olberdork everyday! Not even close!

  • Moderate

    If anyone said they admired Sarah Palin would not be invited back on the Chris Matthews show.

  • Probably NOT wrong

    I am going to pass on this one.
    I always get this Clown mixed up with
    Maddow.

  • writer

    Maddow has more hair on certain areas.

  • Duke

    writer said:
    Maddow has more hair on certain areas.

    Yeah, but i think she dyes it.

  • TangledThorns

    Sullivan believes Trig is Bristol’s baby so… he is incapable of understanding facts. These so called Republicans/conservatives in the panel are doing a disservice to themselves for even being on Chris’s show who without proof still believes Palin inspired the shootings.

  • WCinWI

    Matthews thinks it’s ok to call anyone “Crackers” but feels it’s appropriate to have a conspiracy person on his show? And he calls Palin stupid……Hahahahahaha oh my Hahahahahaha

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jonathan-Scott/654124552 Jonathan Scott

    This was not a good week for her.

  • writer

    Chris inspires me to get out in the Sun more often.

  • The Real Royal King

    Duke said:
    and that is why Rush beats the shit out of olberdork everyday! Not even close!

    I didn’t realize that they were competing, Jeff. A loudmouthed lardass on AM radio and a man with a major network television show?

  • The Real Royal King

    I shouldn’t take too much pride in the epiphany, Mr. Sullivan. It’s long been known.

  • WCinWI

    Jonathan Scott said:
    This was not a good week for her.

    You’re right. This was a GREAT week for her. Do you not realize how many ads she just created this week? Do you realize how many liberals she exposed? Do you realize how partisan she made the President this week? It was brilliant.

  • Duke

    The Real Royal King said:
    I didn’t realize that they were competing, Jeff. A loudmouthed lardass on AM radio and a man with a major network television show?

    you gotta be kidding!!! Olberdork cant get two sentences out of his mouth without hating someone, and Rush tells the truth. LIve with it, libby!

  • http://gordonbloyershow.com gordonbloyershow

    This has not been a good week for the left-wing commentators nor the republican elitists.

  • emancipate yourself from mental slavery

    This guy is STILL in a snit over Palin because of his man-crush on Levi.
    (snicker)

  • Duke

    gordonbloyershow said:
    This has not been a good week for the left-wing commentators nor the republican elitists.

    whose a Republican elitist? Sure isnt Rush, because he tells the truth.

  • http://gordonbloyershow.com gordonbloyershow

    The Real Royal King said:
    a man with a major network television show?

    Just how dumb are you? I thought cable was trash to you? MSNBC a MAJOR network? LOL
    Do they have a mental health clinic near you? Check yourself in soon.

  • http://gordonbloyershow.com gordonbloyershow

    Duke said:
    whose a Republican elitist? Sure isnt Rush, because he tells the truth.

    All the repubs that can’t resist bashing Palin. Rove, Huckabee and many others.

  • WCinWI

    I think he means some in the conservative media that spoke far too glowingly of the speech this past week. Kurtz went through a whole segment of conservative reaction to the speech….we can all do yoga together now.

  • WCinWI

    gordonbloyershow said:
    All the repubs that can’t resist bashing Palin. Rove, Huckabee and many others.

    Did you hear that Hewitt finally has come out against Politico?

  • Duke

    gordonbloyershow said:
    All the repubs that can’t resist bashing Palin. Rove, Huckabee and many others.

    Rush sure doesnt bash Sarah. I think he has a thing for her. Between her great intelligence and her great legs, she has it all!

  • writer

    That’s why I never listen to cable ‘news’, but only get my news from the BBC, and by short wave radio from a Sherpa named Ang who lives near the base of Everest.

  • The Real Royal King

    Duke said:
    Rush sure doesnt bash Sarah. I think he has a thing for her. Between her great intelligence and her great legs, she has it all!

    She is a miraculous woman. I can’t imagine who she can hold her up up, physically, under the immense weight of all that pancake make-up and hair spray.

  • greg454

    Andrew Sullivan is a traitor to the GOP and to the conservative movement that once paid his salary. As for Sarah Palin doing a political game over, well, how many times have we heard people say that she’s done yet she keeps coming back for more? Hey Sullivan, I have news for you, you’re no Sarah Palin, you’re not a celebrity, your own community doesn’t like you, and that beard is ugly. Seriously dude, SHAVE, you look like a goddamm pirate.
    http://libertarians4freedom.blogspot.com/

  • writer

    Oh, snap, girlfriend! I was just talking to my pool boy, Ramone, about Palin. When he said the poor dear couldn’t accessorize to save her life, I laughed so heartily I expelled a bit of merlot onto my Jean Dunand.

  • wayback

    No viewers-a creepy host-guests who have no credibility in the journalistic world – how long will Comcast wait before sending Matthews back under the rock from which he crawled. He will soon be getting his leg tingles from watching Richard Simmons videos at home on the couch.

  • catholic-citizen

    Thomas Sowell wrote a great book – ‘Intellectuals in Society’. Sullivan is the poster child for what is worst in that genre of smug, self-centered, indoctrinated drones that pass for ‘intellectuals’ in these United States.

  • Big Eddie

    As a kid in Connecticut , Big Eddie once came across a muskrat caught in a leg trap in a swampy area outside of Wethersfield . It had a terrible expression on it’s little rat face .The sight of Sullivan just brought back that memory

  • The Lantern of Truth

    The Real Royal King said:
    She is a miraculous woman. I can’t imagine who she can hold her up up, physically, under the immense weight of all that pancake make-up and hair spray.

    KING in his element . YES ! And don ‘ t we all hate it when we try to watch a Lifetime movie for a good cry and our eye make – up runs all over our new taffeta outfit ! Then we resume our crying because in the movie the wife killed the husband and went to prison for it , but he deserved it because he never said a good word about her fabulous cooking and all she does to make a nice home for him and his filthy habits and he always leaves the seat up ? Where ‘ s my royal hanky ?

  • Cancon2

    This must be the only place on earth outside of the Atlantic that this guy gets mentioned. Who cares what this nut says anymore?

  • mlong

    I love this Chrissy Mathews rails against the “birthers” but then always welcomes the head of the “Trig Trutherism”movement on his show, HA!!

  • writer

    I’ve always recommended Givenchy’s Phenomenon Eyes as the all around best mascara, but of course defer to the King in all such matters. But at a recent tea party, one of the girls told a naughty joke which I must pass on:

    “Did you hear what happened to Helena Rubenstein?” (Wait for it.)

    “Max Factor.”

    I laughed so heartily I expelled a bit of quich onto my Stuart Weitzman’s.

  • writer

    Oh, dear. I misspelled quiche. The King will be very upset.

  • xtranormal

    The Real Royal King said:
    She is a miraculous woman. I can’t imagine who she can hold her up up, physically, under the immense weight of all that pancake make-up and hair spray.

    I don’t care .

    Hope and Change .

    Yes we can .

    That’s it .

    Thats’s all I have .

  • The Lantern of Truth

    writer said:
    I’ve always recommended Givenchy’s Phenomenon Eyes as the all around best mascara, but of course defer to the King in all such matters. But at a recent tea party, one of the girls told a naughty joke which I must pass on: “Did you hear what happened to Helena Rubenstein?” (Wait for it.) “Max Factor.” I laughed so heartily I expelled a bit of quich onto my Stuart Weitzman’s.

    KING all gussied up . Merci ! At the King household , we find that once make-up is carefully applied and dried with a hair dryer ( or a blow torch if one is in a hurry ) , we give the face three quick sprays of Turtle Wax so , like magic , putting on our face is reduced to a once weekly event ! La de dah ! …Where did I put my handbag ?

  • writer

    While finding these discussions of makeup and fashion fascinating, I’m afraid my plane has just arrived. I’m staying at the Luxury Gstaad Hotel in Staad, Switzerland for a bit of skiing.

    Okay, I’m back.

  • ellyfaden

    “No viewers-a creepy host-guests who have no credibility in the journalistic world – how long will Comcast wait before sending Matthews back under the rock from which he crawled. He will soon be getting his leg tingles from watching Richard Simmons videos at home on the couch.”

    You know who pokes the most fun at gays? Middle-schoolers! Thanks for showing us the level of your mentality.

  • jamesphilip

    Anderew Sullivan…. the bottom that keeps on giving… and a happy participant in the liberal bend over and grab your ankles smear circle. This scum ball and basically useless human being exists because the left has no shame and embraces the lowest common denominator.

  • TobyTucker

    Sarah Palin lives in Andrew Sullivan’s head 24/7 so it’s hardly “breaking news” that he’s making disparaging remarks about her yet again. Rather than encouraging this obsession, media outlets should advise him to seek psychiatric counseling.

  • http://gordonbloyershow.com gordonbloyershow

    The Real Royal King said:
    She is a miraculous woman. I can’t imagine who she can hold her up up, physically, under the immense weight of all that pancake make-up and hair spray.

    There you go, back to normal. Palin does NOT wear excessive make-up or hair spray. That is why your comments make you look stupid as you are.

  • writer

    Being so concerned with fashion and makeup, I suspect that the King’s feet never quite touch the ground. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

  • lane

    Palin’s video, good or bad, won’t be remembered a year from now. The media’s trouncing on right pundits blaming their words for the Tucson shooting rampage will be remembered. This has been shameful, and I think the impact will be long-lasting.

  • perceptorii

    “Frequent Sarah Palin critic” is a very charitable description of Andrew Sullivan, who appears to be completely unaware that he’s become the Orly Taitz of the American left. Sad thing is that he wasn’t always this way. In the early days of blogging he was one of the best, a gay conservative who was an excellent writer and made thoughtful posts that could seriously challenge your assumptions. Even when I disagreed with him, I still considered his point and appreciated the way he wrote it.

    Around the time Republicans pushed for a Constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, he lost it. I can certainly understand why that’d make him upset. I don’t blame him for being angry, except his anger drastically changed him. He became consumed with the same sort of bigotry for evangelicals that he saw in evangelicals for gays. From that point on any attack that could be used against evangelicals was considered fair and rational in his eyes no matter how ludicrous it was. Junior high-ish attacks like making fun of them for the way some dress or reporting from obvious parodies as if they were the real thing became fair and cogent analysis in his eyes.

    It’s quite clear to me that Sullivan’s hate-obsession with Palin is due to what she is, not with any policy she favors. He’s now obsessed with sounding the alarm with just how eeeeeevil and bigoted we all supposedly are, unaware that he’s become the very thing he believes he’s fighting against.

  • Old Duffer

    Well, we all know for sure lil Andy would never use the term Blood Libel against his political enemies. uh. oh. wait:
    Andrew Sullivan, October 10, 2008: “A couple of obvious thoughts. Paladino speaks of “perverts who target our children and seek to destroy their lives.” This is the gay equivalent of the medieval (and Islamist) blood-libel against Jews.”

    Or that WP paragon of virtue Eugene Robinson: Ann Coulter’s column, October 30, 2008: “His expert pontificator on race was The Washington Post’s Eugene Robinson, who said the Pittsburgh hoax was “the blood libel against black men concerning the defilement of the flower of Caucasian womanhood. It’s been with us for hundreds of years and, apparently, is still with us.”

    Frank Rich, New York Times columnist, October 15, 2006: “The moment Mr. Foley’s e-mails became known, we saw that brand of fearmongering and bigotry at full tilt: Bush administration allies exploited the former Congressman’s predatory history to spread the grotesque canard that homosexuality is a direct path to pedophilia. It’s the kind of blood libel that in another era was spread about Jews”

    And these are just a few, here are more on the usage of Blood Libel by the left: From Blackwater at MediaCurves: http://mediacurves.com/Politics/SarahPalinonTucson/Index.cfm

    From NRO: http://www.nationalreview.com/campaign-spot/256955/term-blood-libel-more-common-you-might-think …January 12, 2011 9:51 A.M. By Jim Geraghty

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Rob-Schellinger/501387091 Rob Schellinger

    Why do people even listen to the drug addled resident gynecologist from The Atlantic?

  • Old Duffer

    To those who scream Palin’s use of Blood Libel was inappropriate and anti-Semitic, the accusation goes back well before it was used against Jews in medieval times. Sarah Palin was accused of having blood on her hands and her use of the term Blood Libel was entirely appropriate against her accusers.

    “Blood libels are sensationalized allegations that a person or group engages in human sacrifice, often accompanied by the claim that the blood of victims is used in various rituals and/or acts of cannibalism. The alleged victims are often children.
    Some of the best documented cases of blood libel focus upon accusations against Jews , but many other groups have been accused, including Christians, Cathars, Carthaginians, Knights Templar, Witches, Christian heretics, Roma, Wiccans, Druids, neopagans, and Satanists. Despite the increasing tolerance of diversity, accusations of blood libel continue to be advanced by and against various groups today. Overcoming the fears and resentments of different cultures, and developing the understanding that we are all part of one human family, is needed to dispel these notions and end such persecution.

    Snip: During the first and second centuries, some Roman commentators had various interpretations of the ritual of the Eucharist and related teachings. While celebrating the Eucharist, Christians drink red wine in response to the words “This is the blood of Christ.” Propaganda arguing that the Christians literally drank blood based on their belief in transubstantiation was written and used to persecute Christians. Romans were highly suspicious of Christian adoptions of abandoned Roman babies and this was suggested as a possible source of the blood.”

    http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Blood_libel

  • dahni

    Most of my experience as a moderate is that all my acquaintances are sick of Obama, the Dems in general, The Reps in general, and ‘bone deep’ sick of Matthews. Most have never heard of Schneider, Sullivan and Borger. lol

  • TeaPartyPatriot

    The PDS (Palin Derangement Syndrome) of the lunatic-left and their puppets in the lamestream socialist fake-news media clearly causes them to continuously act and speak like insane, blithering idiots. They simply can’t stop. Get mental help, you sick and Corrupt B-tards!

  • http://www.libertarianism.com/ Jack Burns

    Andrew Sullivan: Palin Is “Playing Games” And “Doing Performance Art” and Tingles is down at the ranch mixing up the Minute Maid…..

  • WCinWI

    I’ve always wondered if Palin won the nomination, what the moderator is going to do when the topic of social issues like gay marriage comes up. Obama doesn’t support it and I know that Palin is friendly towards the gays. It’ll be interesting to see the media tweak on this issue.

  • Probably NOT wrong

    Now THAT is what I call a ‘repulsive sack of shit”
    So is Andrew Sullivan!! YUK !

  • Probably NOT wrong

    THAT=Tingles

  • CAconservative

    What the hell does this clown think Washington, and the Liberal press are doing? Is somebody paying this jerk to tell us something we all know takes place in the House of beggars?!!

  • OxyCon

    Looks like RAWMUSCLEGLUTES has some “Just for Men” on his beard in that other picture.

  • notsofast

    So Chris was able to get Andrew away from the Macy’s Mens Room, eh.

  • mlb

    Andrew Sullivan said that “– about her, and actually applying the term ‘blood’ to herself as opposed to [the victims in Arizona]“.
    WAIT! I thought all the liberals and media had already done that by accusing her of murder.

  • njoy-d-ride

    Actually, I think Sullivan is the political game-player here. He should have realized that this was not a good week to play a game.

    God himself could declare that “Sarah Palin did this with a sincere heart” and some people would argue that. These are your game players.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jim-Treacher/542957672 Jim Treacher

    Andrew Sullivan: Palin Is “Playing Games” And “Doing Performance Art”

    …and “hiding Trig’s afterbirth” and “occupying my every waking thought” and “helping me destroy the Atlantic magazine.”

  • JamesA1102

    writer said:
    Maddow has more hair on certain areas.

    Taking the high road as always!!!

  • UpChuck.Liberals

    “I don’t think this was the week to play a game.” And having a Pep Rally in the disguise of a Memorial, complete with T-shirts isn’t playing games. Oh silly me I must have mistaken all the cheering and wet pants for a campaign event.

  • Snidely

    Amazing. Sarah Palin is so unimportant and inconsequential that both the Establishment Left and Establishment Right are dead set against Sarah gaining any traction with the public. The vehemence is extraordinary, and hatred palpable. One would think they could just ignore her…but they can’t.

  • ititiiti

    dahni said:
    Most of my experience as a moderate is that all my acquaintances are sick of Obama, the Dems in general, The Reps in general, and ‘bone deep’ sick of Matthews. Most have never heard of Schneider, Sullivan and Borger. lol

    I suppose you know you and your acquaintances are not the first to know you are a bunch of SICK mothers :-{
    http://wp.me/pCuKg-3E

  • ititiiti

    WCinWI said:
    I’ve always wondered if Palin won the nomination

    You will ALWAYS wonder if Palin won the nomination… Blab,blab, blab… Main stream GOP will kick her dumb ass to the curb when it comes time to get serious about campaigning.

  • ititiiti

    CAconservative said:
    What the hell does this clown think Washington, and the Liberal press are doing?

    With all due respect, you’re about as sharp as a wet noodle. There’s no such thing as a “liberal press.” Lamestream media is controlled by Wall Street interest. Get another sound byte, that one has played out. http://wp.me/pCuKg-3E

  • ititiiti

    notsofast said:
    So Chris was able to get Andrew away from the Macy’s Mens Room, eh.

    Not to worry… You’ll find another poker to play with. http://wp.me/pCuKg-3E

  • ititiiti

    mlb said:
    WAIT! I thought all the liberals and media had already done that by accusing her of murder.

    Actually Caribou Booby when over the top with that BS. She knew the saps who lick the earth in her wake were going to lap it up. http://wp.me/pCuKg-3E

  • ititiiti

    writer said:
    Now why do I suspect that Sullivan would have also been bitching if Palin had not made a statement?

    Caribou Booby DIDN’T make a statement! Every time she was asked to give one regarding the shooting, she declined. Do you people ever pay attention? The pit bull put on her lipstick and tried to upstage Obama on the day of the memorial. How classless. It’s all history now. Get over it. :-{

  • ititiiti

    Snidely said:
    Amazing. Sarah Palin is so unimportant and inconsequential that both the Establishment Left and Establishment Right are dead set against Sarah gaining any traction with the public. The vehemence is extraordinary, and hatred palpable. One would think they could just ignore her…but they can’t.

    We know the mainstream media is trying to package her to make her acceptable as president. but the people are tired of seeing her grizzle mug in the paper ever day, lying, preaching hate, fear mongering, misrepresnting issues, you name it. This country has many issues no matter which “side of the ailse” you’re on. If she wants to be president, when is she going to make an intelligent contribution to the discourse?

  • ititiiti

    The Real Royal King said:
    She is a miraculous woman. I can’t imagine who she can hold her up up, physically, under the immense weight of all that pancake make-up and hair spray.

    Mama grizzle, caribou booby, pig in lipstick, pit-bull bitch Palin will be sorely missed as THE opponent when the real canidates join the race. http://wp.me/pCuKg-3E

  • ititiiti

    greg454 said:
    Andrew Sullivan is a traitor to the GOP and to the conservative movement that once paid his salary. As for Sarah Palin doing a political game over, well, how many times have we heard people say that she’s done yet she keeps coming back for more? Hey Sullivan, I have news for you, you’re no Sarah Palin, you’re not a celebrity, your own community doesn’t like you, and that beard is ugly. Seriously dude, SHAVE, you look like a goddamm pirate.

    Gee, get over yourself. lol. You think everybody should take that dumb broad as seriously as you do. Who was her speech writer anyway, Christine O’Donnell?

  • ititiiti

    wayback said:
    He will soon be getting his leg tingles from watching Richard Simmons videos at home on the couch

    One lame stream pundit referred to Caribou Booby as a “pop star” — I guess he meant “pop” as in deadbeat dad? She wears the condum in her house.

  • ititiiti

    catholic-citizen said:
    Thomas Sowell wrote a great book – ‘Intellectuals in Society’. Sullivan is the poster child for what is worst in that genre of smug, self-centered, indoctrinated drones that pass for ‘intellectuals’ in these United States.

    By the same token, if Palin won the presidency, she would be the same “straw man” Reagan was, with NEO Cons writing her 3×5 cards and Todd at her side cueing her.

  • ititiiti

    Cancon2 said:
    This must be the only place on earth outside of the Atlantic that this guy gets mentioned. Who cares what this nut says anymore?

    YOU do, obviously.

  • ititiiti

    writer said:
    Oh, dear. I misspelled quiche. The King will be very upset.

    Don’t worry. Caribou Booby is too dumb to notice.

  • Pablo

    Andrew Sullivan: Palin Is “Playing Games” And “Doing Performance Art”

    And that thing Andrew Sullivan was trying to do with Palin’s uterus? JOURNALISM!!!

  • Hugo Daun

    gordonbloyershow said:
    Palin does NOT wear excessive make-up or hair spray.

    Now, Gordon is an expert on makeup and cosmetics…a renaissance man, for sure!

    http://www.koolass.com/palin.html

  • skyfet

    Pablo said:
    And that thing Andrew Sullivan was trying to do with Palin’s uterus? JOURNALISM!!!

    In your mind, do you actually think you are defending Palin by writing stuff like this?

  • skyfet

    Not only Palin, I do think the whole Right wing commentators do think it’s a game. They don’t actually believe what is coming out of their mouth, but they continue t do so, since there are audience for those kind of talks. They are just enriching themselves from willful ignorance of others, that’s all.

  • Pablo

    skyfet said:
    In your mind, do you actually think you are defending Palin by writing stuff like this?

    No, I’m defending the practice of journalism. Sullivan is deranged, and his presence soils The Atlantic. It would also soil the Chris Matthews show, had Chris not done it first.

  • bobmoses

    Who gives a shit what this moron thinks? He is the fool who peddled the conspiracy that Sarah Palin’s child is not her own.

    Seriously, this guy is unintelligent and intolerant.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Lars-Svensen/100001028197161 Lars Svensen

    Sullivan has the face he deserves; and, we know what kind of “performance art” he does.

  • Penguin60

    skyfet said:
    In your mind, do you actually think you are defending Palin by writing stuff like this?

    So much as attacking like this:

    ititiiti said:
    Don’t worry. Caribou Booby is too dumb to notice.

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