John Ziegler On Sarah Palin: ‘Brilliant’ But ‘Can’t Beat Barack Obama’

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by Steve Krakauer | 12:49 pm, March 3rd, 2010

» 12 comments

John Ziegler was back on the air with his favorite sparring partner this morning, MSNBC, in an interview with Joe Scarborough on Morning Joe.

And the Sarah Palin filmmaker and fan had mostly positive things to say about the former VP nominee – although some surprisingly negative comments as well.

Both Scarborough and Ziegler praised Palin’s appearance on Jay Leno. “My gosh this woman, when she is comfortable in front of a camera, can hold an audience better than anybody,” said Scarborough.

Ziegler: “I thought she was outstanding. If she hadn’t already been destroyed by the news media she’d be in great shape right now.”

But then Ziegler talked about the “new,” post-book tour, FNC contributor Palin. “The Sarah Palin of 2008 doesn’t exist anymore,” he said.

This is Sarah Palin 2.0 She had very limited options about what she was going to do with her future because she was unfairly destroyed, as my documentary proves, in the 2008 election…Since January of this year when she decided to become a Fox commentator, I believe she has gone down a path that makes it absolutely positively impossible in 2012 to beat Barack Obama.

When pressed by Scarborough, Ziegler cited her need to “appeal to non-conservatives or at the very least moderate conservatives,” which she hasn’t done by “cozying up to people like Glenn Beck, and elements of the tea party that I think she’s rather naive about.”

It was a fairly harsh critique of Palin’s political future by someone who certainly is a huge Palin supporter. And while he says she has been “brilliant” in the way she’s dealt with the media since Going Rogue was released, someone with a direct line to Palin is putting his money on a future outside of the political spectrum. And he would know.

Here’s the full interview – Ziegler almost made it the whole five minutes without a knock at MSNBC as a whole:

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The Real Royal King

Interesting piece. I don’t know how much stock to put into it. Ziegler is, after all, an outrageous hack, huckster and liar. I certainly take the strongest exception to any characterization that the Drop Out Governor was “unfairly” treated by the media. Still, thought-provoking. I suspect the conclusion is correct.
http://www.karlspensen.blogspot.com Karl Spensen

This man is an AMERICAN TREASURE!!!1 I was at his press conference at the FIRE LETTERMAN protest and as much as I hate to steal a term from the SOCIOFASCISTS – he was speaking TRUTH to POWER!!1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OfIgRtHpnU
http://trickletown.vox.com/ Trickletown

I wouldn’t vote for her, not in a million years. Still, I like her. She has balls the size of cantaloupes. The fact that she simply exists inspires hatred and name calling from the ugly left. Zeigler is a whack-job, but is right about the Tea Party being a poison pill for any candidate in ’12.
dhg

She’ll never be president and I think even she knows it but you can bet she’ll be in an elected office maybe congress or part of a future administration within the decade.The Leno spot shows that she really isn’t dumb or out of touch with mainstream america and in fact has the ability to rival most anyone with basic charisma.As the democrats dig their own graves these days expect Palin to jump at the opportunities that provides.
Cubby

Zeigler is, without a doubt, a whack-job and a huckster. But he does have a good point about Palin. She is smart, but not in the conventional sense. Her policy knowledge doesn’t seem to go far beyond standard talking points, but her media savvy is not to be underestimated. She left office to become a political celebrity, and she’s doing a fantastic job at it (not to mention making ridiculous money). I doubt she has any intention of getting off the gravy train to get back into the political grind.
The Real Royal King

That’s heartening, Cubby. A female Dick Morris is no threat to anyone.
writer

Whether she ever holds office again or not, she keeps the far left apoplectic and in a foaming at the mouth rage. Props to her for that at least.
Ted

Once you use SP and “brilliant” in the same sentence you lose all credibility.
blueblogger

writer Whether she ever holds office again or not, she keeps the far left apoplectic and in a foaming at the mouth rage. Props to her for that at least.

Just like you righties foam at the mouth over KO.
writer

Not quite the same. I don’t critique Keith’s clothes or hairstyle. Your buddy (White) Royal “K”ing is becoming a regular Bruno.
LD009

I am a fan of Ziegler, but I think he’s wrong here.Sarah Palin is being very shrew and knows exactly what she is doing.If star power is all Mr. Obama has had and HE got elected..well I believe Mrs. Palin has got an excellent shot if she decides to run.I do agree that the whole “star/tv appearances” might and can render her serious image “harmful” there is still plenty of time after the mid term elections to be taken extremely seriously as a candidate as I take her seriously.She should not be underestimated.
yweston

People on the right who continue to claim Pay-lin keeps lefties frothing at the mouth. Continue to miss the point. We think she’s the “biggest JOKE” in politics. And…can’t understand why anyone would take her “carnival act” seriously?
(Tea Hee)