Sarah Palin. In love with herself, power and the idea that she might be on the ticket in 2012. What she’s not in love with is knowledge. That’s scary.
Tina Brown, founder and editor-in-chief over at The Daily Beast, laid out a plan for Palin that includes shutting the hell up and spending time outside of the spotlight and with a stack of books.
Sarah might be able to rile up a crowd, but until she adds some context to her sound bites she’s going to continue to come across as a firebrand who’s best trick is stirring a pot of crazies.
Take a leaf out of Hillary’s book, Sarah. (Or from Condi Rice, for that matter. Clinton’s predecessor in the job likewise knows how to disappear herself for a bit while she recoups and rebrands.) Bide your time, don’t waste it. Study up—and shut up. If you were a real power woman, we wouldn’t be hearing from you right now, so soon after your vice presidential flameout. You’d be too busy preparing yourself for the day when you have something to say worth hearing.
Even the B-52s have the formula right, “Before you talk, you should read a book.”
This article appears in Jun 9-16, 2009.
