Blogs and Stories
Palin Has Really Gone Rogue
Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP Photo
UPDATE: The governor’s resignation speech seemed less like a farewell than like an inauguration of a new campaign. She’s unhinged, writes Michelle Goldberg—but so is much of her competition.
Plus: Read more of The Daily Beast's coverage of Palin's resignation and the GOP implosion.
Most speculation about why Sarah Palin decided to quit her governorship falls into one of two camps. Some think that there’s a big scandal looming: as the always perspicacious Josh Marshall wrote, “I would not be surprised if this latest round of revelations shook something else loose that we haven't heard about yet.” Her bizarre press conference felt rambling and manic, almost breathless, and she assumed a martyred pose in talking about the numerous ethics complaints that have been made against her. She certainly sounded like someone facing oncoming disaster.
In Alaska there weren’t many paths to fame. What else could she have done besides politics?
Yet some of her most ardent backers have a different explanation: She’s gearing up to run for president in 2012. As Bill Kristol, a man who’s had an enormous role in creating her national profile, wrote, “If Palin wants to run in 2012, why not do exactly what she announced today? It's an enormous gamble—but it could be a shrewd one.” He continued, “[H]aven't conservatives been lamenting the lack of a national leader? Well, now she'll try to be that.” And there were parts of her speech suggesting she’s getting ready for a new challenge: “It would be apathetic to just kind of hunker down and go with the flow. We’re fisherman. We know only dead fish go with the flow… There is such a need to build up, and fight for our state and our country.”
On the face of it, it seems preposterous that Palin might think she could maintain any political credibility at all after walking away from her job simply because she has her eye on bigger things. But Palin has long had an almost dementedly inflated sense of her own destiny. In one of the most quoted passages of Todd Purdham’s eviscerating Vanity Fair profile of Palin, he writes that, in traveling through Alaska, several people told him that, in trying to understand their governor, “they had consulted the definition of ‘narcissistic personality disorder’ in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.” Said disorder, Purdum points out, is marked by “a pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration, and lack of empathy.”
As a description of Palin, that sounds about right. It also sounds about right as a description of Newt Gingrich, Mark Sanford, John Edwards, and maybe even Bill Clinton. There is nothing new about politicians who are staggeringly egotistical and heedlessly dishonest, politicians with fantastic reserves of self-righteousness and self-pity but a shriveled capacity for loyalty. But we don’t usually see this particular kind of craziness in women. Palin is the rare female politician who is as much a megalomaniac as her male peers. Maybe more.
What made Palin the way she is? Society generally doesn’t reward single-minded ambition and deluded self-absorption in women outside of entertainment or fashion. Had Palin been born on the mainland, her talents and charisma might easily have been channeled into television—she was, after all, once an anchorwoman. But in Alaska there weren’t many paths to fame. What else could she have done besides politics? As Purdum wrote, “In the same way that Lyndon Johnson could only have come from Texas, or Bill Clinton from Arkansas, Palin and all that she is could only have come from Wasilla.” Once she entered the political fray, her beauty and charm softened the impact of her ambition, making her seem merely feisty where a less attractive woman would have been smeared as a harpy. By the time she’d emerged on the national stage, her confidence—had had a unique chance to grow and flower.
But it also metastasized into deluded arrogance. Palin’s public statements have been full of petty, easily refutable mendacity, delivered with the vehemence of a compulsive liar. Purdum’s piece reveals one tiny but telling incident, in which Palin told McCain aides that she and her husband had been without insurance of any kind in the early years of their marriage. “Checking with Todd Palin himself revealed that, no, they had had catastrophic coverage all along,” Purdum writes. “This sort of slipperiness—about both what the truth was and whether the truth even mattered—persisted on questions great and small.”
On Thursday, CBS News had a small scoop revealing a similarly cavalier attitude towards the truth. After McCain’s chief strategist, Steve Schmidt, rejected a request by Palin to reply to a report that her husband, Todd, has been a member of the secessionist Alaska Independence Party, Palin came forward with a preposterous excuse, like a teenager trying to explain away the incriminating smell of liquor—or a governor trying to cover up a mysterious jaunt to Buenos Aires. Secession, she insisted—despite all available evidence—is not part of the party’s platform, and besides, Todd “was only a 'member' bc independent alaskans too often check that 'Alaska Independent' box on voter registrations thinking it just means non partisan. He caught his error when changing our address and checked the right box. I still want it fixed." A clearly exasperated Schmidt wrote back that secession is the AIP’s “entire reason for existence. A cursory examination of the website shows that the party exists for the purpose of seceding from the union. That is the stated goal on the front page of the web site. Our records indicate that todd was a member for seven years. If this is incorrect then we need to understand the discrepancy. The statement you are suggesting be released would be inaccurate.”
How Rich People Smoke Pot
Paul Schrodt is a writer living in New York City. He has contributed to New York magazine, Radar, and Esquire.com.
Justice Clinton?
As vice chairman of Public Strategies and president of Maverick Media, Mark McKinnon has helped meet strategic challenges for candidates, corporations and causes, including George W. Bush, John McCain, Governor Ann Richards, Charlie Wilson, Lance Armstrong, and Bono. McKinnon is co-chair of Arts & Labs, a collaboration between technology and creative communities that have embraced today's rich Internet environment to deliver innovative and creative digital products to consumers.
Obama Does It Again
Michelle Goldberg is the author of The Means of Reproduction: Sex, Power and the Future of the World and Kingdom Coming: The Rise of Christian Nationalism. She is a senior correspondent for The American Prospect, and her work has appeared in The New Republic, The Nation, the Los Angeles Times, Glamour, and many other publications.
The Haiti Fundraising Lie
Michelle Goldberg is the author of The Means of Reproduction: Sex, Power and the Future of the World and Kingdom Coming: The Rise of Christian Nationalism. She is a senior correspondent for The American Prospect, and her work has appeared in The New Republic, The Nation, the Los Angeles Times, Glamour, and many other publications.
A Ray of Hope in Haiti
Michelle Goldberg is the author of The Means of Reproduction: Sex, Power and the Future of the World and Kingdom Coming: The Rise of Christian Nationalism. She is a senior correspondent for The American Prospect, and her work has appeared in The New Republic, The Nation, the Los Angeles Times, Glamour, and many other publications.
squiggy
What a subtle little slam Goldberg makes. Nice style. Good form if your into liberal licks. Substance is merky, supposition definitely biased and the twist on feminism cutting but not too since it's a woman judging a woman. Is this what they're teaching in "J"ournalism now? Sounds like she is setting up a formula for a tell all to negate Palin's political existence. Kinda makes my stomach turn; too cheesy.
jomama
Uhhhmm - if you're defending Sarah Palin, you belong on Beck's commentary, not this one. There are respectable conservatives out there somewhere, hiding, but until the Rush fat-boys, Palins and Becks leave the scene, they make a farce of America and conservative; despite their ability to garner a few votes.
innovations
you're exactly right. I have alot of Republican friends that choose to be GOP usually for tax reasons lol. But overall, they're down to earth people with a good heart. But as long as we have to deal with the ditto-heads and the big-fat ditto himself, the entire FOXNEWS, the country is gonna be just one big Jerry Springer show.
DeIndependentVoter
That's intelligent... anyone who disagrees with this blogger shouldn't comment here? Typical liberal elitist attitude.
atwork
typical elitist attitude? saying liberals may not like to hear opposing viewpoints may be true. saying that they are the ONLY ones who dont like to hear it, or even are the worst at listening to them, is a plain lie and frighteningly ignorant. listen to any right wing christian politician and just TRY to hear a smidgen of open-mindedness. or, dare i mention, rush limbaugh. he fits the definition of fascist.
kent1944
show me a conservative whos worth voting for,until the fat boy,palin,beck etc. leave the party forget aboutit.these people claim to be libertarians,look up that term and see if they fit.
MarcosElMalo
Does it have to be someone in the GOP? If not, take a look at Bob Barr of the LP. After McCain picked Palin, I couldn't bring myself to vote for him, so I voted for Barr.
SFGiants
I would have thought you might have given some credence to the whole thing since Clinton and Edwards get tarred with the brush of NPD (and even as a Liberal, I think rightfully so).
Ritarita
No-
I think Clinton and Edwards
Are just vain massively egotistical
And entitled gas bags.
The problem with NPD is that like
A good horror flick you can't have any
Real appreciation until you've actually seen it.
It's a malignant force with
No conscience.
democracyforall
yes, Michelle Goldberg is a narcissist
Mitsie
I don't think that calling a writer a narcissist is approprite. My concern is that Palin is not qualified, does not know foreign policies, energy policies, economic policies etc. etc. This woman is so polarizing, that she will drive moderate Republicans to stay home, or to vote along with the Indendants and Democrats to vote in our President for another four years. This woman scares many of us, not because we are afraid she can win, we are afraid of what would happen if she does win.
smit9187
Actually, I think Goldberg is on point. All I've read about Palin would support her assertions. The unfortunate thing about all this, is that Palin could end up being the President. Remember Richard Nixon. People counted him out also.
skiffymom
The idea of Palin as president really does qualify as one of those nightmare scenarios, for me. If that happens, it means the American public has taken leave of its senses in such vast numbers we're beyond saving. I am optimistic that, even though they did elect 43 (at least once--I'm still steamed over 2000), they'll show better sense than that.
caryberke
The main difference between Nixon and Palin is besides gender is Trickey Dick at least had political bonafides. Congressman, Vice President. The only thing Palin has is that she can see Russia from her backyard.
Maezeppa
It's "you're", a contraction for "you are". And it's spelled "murky". Also, "tell all" should be hyphenated here.
giantphan
EVEYONE STAND BACK ....... MAEZEPPA IS HAVING CONTRACTIONS ....... its ok help is on the way ...... take deep breaths ..... do you know what your having???? names???? ...... i like Giantphan ..... or Phred, George, Sarah, Hillary..... best wishes
DevilsLawyer
giantphan: ...What?
Ritarita
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Is not very well understood by
The public at large-
It's much more than vanity or
Simple narcissism.
It's also referred to as Malignant self love.
These people use others and take
The greatest offense to any perceived slight.
They are delusional cold and manipulative.
Now that Palin has resigned the Governorship
We will be witnessing the full on
Spectacle as she reveals what
She thinks we want to see.
giantphan
yeah al gore, jeanine garafalo, and nancy pelosi are the people i want my kids to look up to
Patco13
As opposed to Stanford, Limbaugh, Beck and Foley?
Patco13
No I sure wouldn't want my child to win the Nobel Peace Prize..
skiffymom
Actually, I believe mine do.
This user is no longer registered.
n--Y--turnipsuvmorgana
Palin is a woman who is utterly unqualified to be POTUS. It's not sexist to plant one's feet firmly on the ground and use common sense. In addition, the 'integrity and a Harvard degree' is yet another snide remark about educated people. I am positive there are Harvard graduates wth integrity. I don't get it...why the knock on education from people on the Right. Is that what we need in the 21st century... uneducated, screeching boobs attempting to lead us back to the 12th century?
namedujour
Attacking Palin isn't sexist - Palin puts women back 20 years or more. I think you're just projecting positive qualities onto someone who doesn't actually demonstrate them, for your own purposes.
I don't want a woman politician who winks at the camera, and can't conduct an intelligent interview. I want a woman who can hold her own in a debate without falling back on, "I'm not going to answer that question. I'm going to talk about this instead." Hers is not ANY brand of feminism, and if you think it is, we need to pull you into the 21st century. I mean look at this. She didn't even fulfill her entire term before quitting. You want to elect someone who quits the presidency because it's too hard for her?
Someone on the news pointed out yesterday that one does NOT launch a presidential run on the Friday before a holiday. The Friday before a holiday is reserved for announcements you prefer to bury, hoping no one will notice behind all the parades and barbecues.
Consequently, what we can take from this is that she is NOT leaving to advance her political career. That leaves us with the other speculative reasons people are considering. She's either off to make money in personal engagements rather than serve her state, or she's hiding something, or she can't take the scrutiny and the criticism. None of these qualities or priorities are good in a presidential candidate.
roger37
Hey turniptruck: You guys have to start being a little more critical in your thinking. You people are beginning to scare me.
DemsDeBreaks
Get off your high horse. I'm a woman. This has nothing to do with sexism. There are many women in politics who are much better qualified to hold our highest office. The population of all of Alaska is less than Memphis, TN. I do know who the mayor of Memphis happens to be, but I certainly do not think they are qualified to be president. Other than her failure to win the VP slot, she has no experience in national politics or world affairs. She takes all investigations into her checkered past as personal attacks and busily builds mountains out of molehills and does so on the national stage whenever possible. Yes, she has that initial "IT" factor that makes you stop, look and listen. She is Barack Obama without the intelligence, education, or polish.
estcruzer
And possibly without the the integrity, morality or ethics.
Andreams
Palin discredits herself; doesn't need any help from anyone. She's dirt.
Mitsie
In these complicated times our President should hold an advanced diploma. Palin is not qualified, not matter how much people like her for her far right views. SHE CANNOT WIN moderate Republicans, Independants or Democrats. What she will do is to ruin the chances for a Republican, who is prepared to be President.
Americans are sick and tired of the woman. There is nothing sexist about people's opinions. I was an elected official, only the second woman to be elected in a town in Vermont. I learned real soon, I had to be able to cooperate with all the politicans. Palin is a bad example for women, and her inability to resolve problems or having thin skin, will make her vulnerable for failure.
Women can't do everything, so perhaps she should stay home and take care of her kids, instead of again parading them on stage for the next three years.
PatriceFitz
But Squiggy, if I were a Martian landing on the planet today, with no preconceived notions about Governor Palin, and not an ounce of liberalism, I would still listen to her resignation speech and say... "hunh?" Her sentences don't make sense. That tells me that she cannot think clearly.
Is this not a problem for you?
Or do you disagree and believe that her sentences make sense?
DeIndependentVoter
I'm OK with crucifying Palin for her house-deal scandal. As long as they also impeach Obama for his Chicago house-deal scandal. Fair is fair.
vpavone245
You have got to be kidding me. Where was vanity fair or the entire mainstream media when Obama was running for senator let alone president. The duplicity and hypocrisy is laughable. J is for Liberal Journalism. When will anyone dissect his associations and lies. Never is the answer.. Mrs Palins decision is confusing and certainly surprising. But every one is talking about it and time will tell if it was a wise and prudent personal or political move. On the other hand the media can continue to focus on her rather then Cap and Trade or Healthcare.. Issues that continue to divide and concern the american publie the more the hear and learn... Kind of like a pump fake for an experienced point guard.....
JeanLuc
It is almost odd how terrified liberals are of Sarah Palin.
Just say the word 'Palin' in the presence of a liberal and the reaction is always an almost hysterical ad homonym attack.
If she actually has no ability, credibility or following, why not simply ignore her?
roger37
Nobody's afraid of Sarah Palin. What we're afraid of are the mouthbreathers that think she is a great political leader.
AlanDownunder
We're terrified that someone who actually has no ability or credibility has a following. We're terrified that one American in five is certifiably crazy.
conradelledge
7/4/09
Dear Michelle,
You have rewritten Sara Palin's resignation speech and your draft is much improved over hers. Is your rewrite authorized? Is this a mistake on your part or a distortion of the story? Here is the conflicting passage from your story and Sara Palin's speech. Please respond.
And there were parts of her speech suggesting she's getting ready for a new challenge: "It would be apathetic to just kind of hunker down and go with the flow. We're fisherman. We know only dead fish go with the flow... There is such a need to build up, and fight for our state and our country."
Palin Has Really Gone Rogue
by Michelle Goldberg
Life is too short to compromise time and resources... it may be tempting and more comfortable to just keep your head down, plod along, and appease those who demand: "Sit down and shut up", but that's the worthless, easy path; that's a quitter's way out. And a problem in our country today is apathy. It would be apathetic to just hunker down and "go with the flow".
Nah, only dead fish "go with the flow".
No. Productive, fulfilled people determine where to put their efforts, choosing to wisely utilize precious time... to BUILD UP.
And there is such a need to BUILD up and FIGHT for our state and our country. I choose to FIGHT for it! And I'll work hard for others who still believe in free enterprise and smaller government; strong national security for our country and support for our troops; energy independence; and for those who will protect freedom and equality and LIFE... I'll work for and campaign for those PROUD to be American, and those who are INSPIRED by our ideals and won't deride them.
Actual text by Sara Palin
DemsDeBreaks
"...for those PROUD to be American, and those who are inspired by our ideals and won't deride them."
First of all, her Christian Fundamentalist ideals and mine don't mesh. Second, the way she expresses herself makes me feel as if she's really saying, "You're either with me, or you're an antiAmerican secretly working for Osama Bin Laden." Third, I truly believe she is the most blatantly self-absorbed and self-serving politician I've come across since Bill Clinton. I wouldn't vote for him. I wouldn't even vote for his wife because I completely disagreed with whattever crazy reasons she had for staying with him and therefore felt she must be cut, in some part, from the same narcissistic cloth. I certainly won't vote for Palin. She seems to have the same personality disorders as Bill Clinton, without the education, intelligence, and knowledge of our political system required to actually perform the job of the president.
jackie111
she just factually showed she is a pathological liar and has extreme narcissistic personality disorder. you need to read it again
innovations
ACCORDING TO THE MAYO CLINIC:
Narcissistic personality disorder symptoms may include:
Believing that you're better than others
Fantasizing about power, success and attractiveness
Exaggerating your achievements or talents
Expecting constant praise and admiration
Believing that you're special
Failing to recognize other people's emotions and feelings
Expecting others to go along with your ideas and plans
Taking advantage of others
Expressing disdain for those you feel are inferior
Being jealous of others
Believing that others are jealous of you
Setting unrealistic goals
Being easily hurt and rejected
Having a fragile self-esteem
Appearing as tough-minded or unemotional
NNNOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! SARAH PALIN DOES NOT HAVE NPD!!
This comment has been removed by The Daily Beast's editors.
democracyforall
the real diagnosis is Liberal Media Palin Derangement Syndrome.
innovations
LOL Fantasizing about power, success and attractiveness
altonlee
sounds to me like it describes the great one, u know bho
penscott
My god!!! Reading that, one thinks of the Obamas, Pelosi, Biden, the two Clintons, Edwards,and...I can't go on.
AlanD2
Please, you should go on: Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity, Newt Gingrich, Glen Beck - no, you're right, there are just too many of these idiots...
exploora
The real question is, what if she isn't a narcissist?
Whose malpractice insurance will cover the misdiagnosis if this can be called one?
If the person doesn't have malpractice insurance, why are they diagnosing Sarah Palin in the first place? So they can feel important, regardless of the damage they do to Sarah Palin's self esteem and self image and possibly even even ruin her ability to be taken seriously when she discusses issues?
innovations
What are you talking about? What person? Who is diagnosing Palin with NPD? Read the very first line of the article: "Critics have unofficially diagnosed Palin with NPD" UNOFFICIALLY, CRITICS, HELLOOOO.
Now lets cut the defense for the drama queen for a minute and come back to earth. NPD is really not that hard to identify once you get to know a little bit about it. Here is a simple explaination: " Narcissistic personality disorder is a condition characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance, need for admiration, extreme self-involvement, and lack of empathy for others. Individuals with this disorder are usually arrogantly self-assured and confident. They expect to be noticed as superior. Many highly successful individuals might be considered narcissistic. However, this disorder is only diagnosed when these behaviors become persistent and very disabling or distressing."
LETS BREAK THIS DOWN--
1) INFLATED SENSE OF SELF-IMPORTANCE..-This is a woman who has made big fiasco's because she feels that everyone has to think of her before making a statement or joke. Was it really necessary for Sarah Palin to inform America that she was offended by President Obama's comment on Jay Leno when he was describing how his bowling hasn't been that good lately? "It's like the Special Olympics or something,". Thats all he said. And the next morning she's all over the media attacking Obama on this. I doubt very much that Obama was thinking about her youngest child Tripp while explaining his bowling performance. I saw the show and I didnt even know what the hell she was talking about because he said it in a meaningless way. It was not a punch line to a joke to specifically insult Palin. And what noone knows is that after the show was taped, he realized that it might be offensive and he called Special Olympics chairman Tim Shriver before the show even aired and apologized. She was blasting him with: "This was a degrading remark about our world's most precious and unique people, coming from the most powerful position in the world.". First of all, Special Needs children don't like to be referred to as "precious" and "unique". They like to be looked upon as average you n me people. So like usual, this was just an attention seeking moment for the person of INFLATED SENSE OF SELF-IMPORTANCE. Like if she REALLY was offended. The same person who would not give a free pass for an abortion if a 15 yr old was raped by her father.
2) NEED FOR ADMIRATION -- Miss Alaska? Miss Congenility? A need for admiration? $150,000 on skirts and blouses?? NEED FOR ADMIRATION?? Nnaaahhhh.
3)EXTREME SELF INVOLVEMENT--LOL where do we start? I'll be gentle. If you recall the campaign trail, her head got so big she started to criticize John McCain's decision to pull out of campaigning in Michigan. In many jobs if you criticize the boss' decision you're fired.
4)LACK OF EMPATHY FOR OTHERS--As mentioned above, this is a woman who, if she had it her way, would have no empathy on a 15 yr old who was molested and raped by her own father and would not allow her to abort--even if it were her own child. Which is why I find it extremly difficult to believe that she was REALLY offended by Letterman's joke; even though it was the 18 yr old he referred to.
5) ARROGANTLY SELF-ASSURED AND CONFIDENT-- DUHHHH POINTS #1-5 ALL OF THE ABOVE.
********However, this disorder is only diagnosed when these behaviors become persistent and very disabling or distressing." IN HER DEFENSE AND ALL FAIRNESS, WE DONT KNOW HER THAT LONG. SHE WAS JUST INTRODUCED TO THE COUNTRY IN SEPTEMBER. IT WOULD UNFAIR TO SAY THAT SHE IS N.P.D. BUT LOOKING AT THE SIGNS AND MY VALID PROOF, SHE RIGHT UP THAT ALLEY.
Redhead5050
A good breakdown of symptoms... : )
sophia5
@innovations
Why all the foaming at the mouth ANGRY UPPER CASE LETTERS ?
Man, you sound like one politically correct uptight woman.
Put away the Black Goth Wardrobe,
put on some pink . . . go for a walk, trying not to step on any ants
because you're probably a member of P.I.T.A.,
and clear that mad head of yours.
Holy Cow ! Yikes !
KateTheGreat
Couldn't agree more~
PRKL8R
Yummmmmmm. P.I.T.A. With hummus! Yummmmmmm.
piktor
I actually like *innovations'* mojo. The passion, the well documented gravitas, the misspellings. What's not to love?
You don't like upper case typography, you say. Well, I say go jump in a lake!
rpagan2
Thanks for the breakdown - some logic and common sense was needed here. As for the passion - hooray ---
giantphan
its amazing ...... the entire diagnosis describes 90% of the men in politics ..... hhhmmmmm al gore, john edwards, 25 or 30 kennedys, clintons .... young and old ..... romney, .....reed .... giuliani ..... and its never been mentioned ..... but a woman steps up and we get wardrobe, hairstyle, post pardum depression, updates ..... a man is a take charge go getter .... a woman is such a catty bitch ....
innovations
sophia5
@innovations
Why all the foaming at the mouth ANGRY UPPER CASE LETTERS ?
SOPHIA BABY, IF THERE IS NOT ONE PIECE OF EVIDENCE YOU CAN PROVIDE THAT WOULD MAKE MY POST WRONG, THEN YOU SHOULD REALLY SHUT THE F**K UP AND PLAY WITH YOUR ELECTRIC GADGETS OR SOMETHING. WHOEVER TOLD YOU THAT UPPER CASE LETTERS MEANS THAT I'M ANGRY IS PROBABLY A REPUBLICAN MORAN LIKE YOU. TAKE AN ENGLISH COURSE IN THE 4TH GRADE. THEY SHOW YOU THAT UPPER CASE IS USED FOR THE BEGINNING OF A SENTENCE, THE NAME OF SOMETHING, OR TO MAKE A CLEAR POINT. EXCLAMATION MARKS (!!!!!!!) IS ANGRY AND YELLING. CATCH UP WITH THE WORLD. STUPID PEOPLE LIKE YOU TURN A POLITICAL DISCUSSION INTO AN INTERVENTION.
innovations
giantphan its amazing ...... the entire diagnosis describes 90% of the men in politics ..... hhhmmmmm al gore, john edwards, 25 or 30 kennedys, clintons .... young and old ..... romney, .....reed .... giuliani ..... and its never been mentioned ..... but a woman steps up and we get wardrobe, hairstyle, post pardum depression, updates ..... a man is a take charge go getter .... a woman is such a catty bitch ....@@@@@ GIANTPHAN, lighten up. You cant really compare any of the people you just mentioned anywhere as close to NPD for they never used the media or their families for attention. Romney?? I wish he did. I love his wife, she is hot! Edwards was having an affair the last thing he wanted was media attention. Same goes for Giuliani. Reed?? It you guys and FOX that are constantly exploiting him. Gimme a break. I mean, right now FOX is showing Palin giving a speech on her resignation and she has her whole family by her sise behind that the mass of water that she can see Russia from. She's giving herself credit for the Alaskan oil pipeline project. But if I recall, this wasn't her idea.---> In a speech given in Lansing, Michigan, Senator Obama called for the completion of the Alaska natural gas pipeline, stating, "Over the next five years, we should also lease more of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska for oil and gas production. And we should also tap more of our substantial natural gas reserves and work with the Canadian government to finally build the Alaska natural gas pipeline, delivering clean natural gas and creating good jobs in the process." Governor Sarah Palin responded to the energy plan put forward by the presumptive Democratic nominee for President, Illinois Senator Barack Obama. "I am pleased to see Senator Obama acknowledge the huge potential Alaska's natural gas reserves represent in terms of clean energy and sound jobs," Governor Palin said. "The steps taken by the Alaska State Legislature this past week demonstrate that we are ready, willing and able to supply the energy our nation needs."
YEA SHE WAS PLEASED TO SEE HOW OBAMA RECOGNIZES???? HOW ABOUT THANK YOU SENATOR FOR PUTTING THIS TOGETHER? NPD ALL THE WAY!!
connie47
@ innovations
When they can't disprove your argument, they always take the low road and insult you. In this case, sophia5 has decided that if that's what you think, you must therefore have a black goth wardrobe and belong to PITA, which is a kind of bread and not the name of the animal-rights organization.
This passes for logic in some circles.
innovations
connie47
@ innovations
When they can't disprove your argument, they always take the low road and insult you. In this case, sophia5 has decided that if that's what you think, you must therefore have a black goth wardrobe and belong to PITA, which is a kind of bread and not the name of the animal-rights organization.
This passes for logic in some circles.
@@@@@WELL CONNIE WHAT CAN I TELL U? THERE'S SOMETHING CALLED THE 4 STAGES OF DEATH. DENIAL, ANGER, DEPRESSION, AND ACCEPTANCE. BY THEM AVOIDING THE TRUTH AND MOCKING ME, THEY ALREADY HAVE DENIAL, ANGER, AND POSSIBLY DEPRESSION. THEY WANNA KILL THEMSELVES DEFENDING SOMEONE WHO BELONGS IN A STRAIGHT JACKET, SO BE IT. KEEP THE INSULTS COMING!
DoctorB
Palin does her best to make it difficult for anyone to fail to notice her. Hence, she has no one to blame but herself when people start to describe her faults in detail, including hypotheses about what mental illness can explain her misbehavior. Since Palin lacks the insight or motivation to work on her shortcomings, no psychotherapist will have the dubious privilege of trying to help this hopeless case; even if by some miracle she actually spent a few years in therapy, the therapist would of course be bound to uphold her confidentiality, so we would never be treated to that person's unique insights. Thus, all of the discussion about this paragon of mental health must perforce be unofficial, as the author of this article accurately states.
So, you wonder, is it a "misdiagnosis" to unofficially apply the NPD label to this public figure? I have practiced Psychiatry for over 30 yrs. I teach DSM (among many other subjects) to Psychiatry Residents, Medical Students, & non-M.D. psychotherapists. I have had many patients with NPD over the years, so I certainly know a case of SEVERE NPD when I see one. In the case of sweet Sarah, it isn't even a close call; it's SO OBVIOUS that she has NPD. Some things are subtle, but Palin is a virtual poster child for NPD. If I wanted to explain to a lay person what NPD is, I'd just ask them to think of Palin. So, the notion that Palin has NPD is not simply idle speculation by unqualified people. Whenever the topic of Palin comes up in conversations with professional peers, the consensus is clear- NPD. Some people may disagree; some also think the world is flat & some don't believe in climate change. I can't make you see the light if you keep your eyes closed.
Is it malpractice to state the obvious about a public figure? No. I am not involved in treating her, nor am I supervising anyone 's treatment of her. Nor am I asking anyone to do anything to her based on what I've said. I am simply exercising my right of free speech.
You really are being quite presumptuous when you try to attribute sinister motives to anyone who isn't ignorant (or blindly partisan) enough to deny Palin's rampant narcissism. When a person acknowledges Palin's NPD, doing so doesn't make that person important. Speaking only for myself, I find that I already play an irreplaceable role in the lives of enough people to more than fulfill any needs for appreciation; I prefer that this exist in private, one person at a time, & I have no need for PUBLIC testimonials.
You loftily accuse people of "the damage they do to Sarah P.'s self-esteem & self-image." That is a totally unfounded accusation. There is no evidence that this narcissist's bloated self-esteem & grandiose self-image have shown any sign of coming back down to reality; frankly, she'd be a healthier person IF they did!
Saving the best for last:
SP's "ability to be taken seriously when she discusses issues". Hmm ...
I hate to have to the first to inform you of this, but Sarah herself has forfeited any RIGHT to be taken seriously as far back as last year's brilliant VP candidacy, when she became a laughingstock nationwide & worldwide by virtue of her lack of knowledge & avoidance of any serious discussion of issues.
So, you can't, as you say, "ruin her ability to be taken seriously ..." when no one (excluding Limbaugh's flock of sheep) has been taking her seriously in the first place.
While flitting between 5 colleges on her 6-yr. odyssey of pursuing a B.A. degree in journalism, Sarah often fantasized about being an on-air sports reporter. She loved ESPN so much that she named her first daughter after the city where ESPN is located- Bristol, CT. Both SP herself & the nation as a whole would be much better off if she'd continued in that direction. SP would have garnered the consistent positive feedback that comes to any sexually appealing female in the macho world of sports, & the nation would have been spared the agony of having to listen to her annoying voice spouting incoherent drivel.
Redhead5050
Thank you for the clear analysis without all the blather.
exploora
It might also be her super-ego at play, which comes in to action, as you know, in the role of possibly misunderstanding her link to God.
altonlee
Now just how would you discribe barrack?
Seems to me he fits these much more than palin. Kicking reporters off his plane because they asked a question he could not answer. By the way he was never vetted the way mccain was, where was he actually born?
innovations
So then you would agree with my post and breakdown of symptoms. I took psych courses that weren't even a part of my curriculum just because i wanted the education of the human mind. I've been saying Palin was Narcissistic for quite some time. When i saw the article I thought to myself "about time". Carrie Prejean is a sneeze away from Schizophrenia, but is definitely NPD lol.
davemurrow
Nice post. I especially like the discussion of your supposed motives for tearing down Palin.
Perhaps you could offer a few words on 'paranoia'
roger37
Other politicians, usually male, do indeed display the traits of serious narcissism, but they are usually smart enough to cover up the overt indications.
Palin is not conversant enough with the basics of politics and economics to do this. She can't even put coherent sentences together; she strings together slogans.
How some people can't see this is beyond my understanding.
I'm having anxious dreams about her in a national role.
innovations
would that natural role include a lap dance by one of the hottest 46 yr olds (with 5 kids) in America?
giantphan
inno, I agree with alot of what you say .... kennedy's and clintons have narcisstic traits, I agree about mrs. romney ...... lapdances from mrs romney and sultry sarah on me ..... have a great 4th my friend
Autopilot
The Daily Beast would do us all a favor by getting someone who really knows their stuff to explain this issue. It's not a very productive dialog that will emerge from a piece like this - churned out to make deadline. Let's rejoice again in knowledge, science, nuance and reason. There's a critically important lesson here that could get sucked into a black hole of misinformation and random speculation. Let's get the real scoop. We can handle it.
roger37
Uh, innovations, that was "national" role. And no I would not want a lap dance by this bimbo.
Autopilot, the post just above this, by DoctorB, gives us a pretty professional perspective on this, seeing as the person is an MD/Psychiatrist.
innovations
Autopilot, do you think Rush Limbaugh and the entire FOXNEWS crew knows their stuff?
harlowe
Oh please, Palin is a national joke. The defensive butthurt we have to read over any column that is critical of Palin is pathetic.
Especially the sexist "oh a woman can't be critical of another woman" bs.
Veronicaxy
I don't get how Palin is dismissed so easily. George Bush was a big of a buffoon.
I wish she was just a national joke. I have a bunch of right wing Republican relatives who are champing at the bit to vote for her again. They're the ones capable of ignoring a lot to focus on the what matters most to them (mosly the U.S. as a Christian theocracy -- with anti-abortion and pro-gun positions thrown in).
The Republicans only have to change their position slightly to the center to regain a majority.
JohnHedtke
You know, Veronicoxy, you raise a very valid point here. Sarah Palin is a complete self-absorbed twit (did I get that vowel right?) with a room-temperature IQ, but then, but so is Dubya. The difference really is that Dubya's male... and I think that there's a shocking amount of misogyny in American politics still. (FWIW, I didn't like Dubya any more than I like Palin, and for roughly the same reasons.)
The thing that's killing the Republicans right now--not that I'm exactly unhappy--is they're dominated by "purity." To be a member of the Republican fold, the elected Brethren, you have to pass a purity test: are you anti-abortion, anti-gay, anti-regulation? Are you in favor of "family values," one man/one woman marriage, private health care? If you don't have the right answers, you get spurned. Michael Steele consistently loses out to Rush Limbaugh for 'leadership' in large part because he's moderate on a number of issues. The only "big tent" options that the GOP represents right now looks more like a Klan gathering or an evangelical Christian gathering than a collection of different ideas being brought in for discussion. It's ripping up the GOP--good--but it's also crystallizing and focusing the mob of people who are clinging to some bizarre set of theocratic values, and that's a bad thing.
MarcosElMalo
I concluded sometime back that President Bush's stupidity was really an aw shucks act, his shtick or political persona to make people comfortable with him as a regular guy. Palin's stupidity is the genuine article.
Caradog
"I don't get how Palin is dismissed so easily. George Bush was a big of a buffoon."
"The difference really is that Dubya's male..." - that's indeed a lot of it, guys, but also that Dubya had the family name, biiig money and connections. He was pals with Lee Atwater, and wasn't afraid of dirty tricks. What's Palin got? Great glasses and "Oh, shucks" appeal? A few handfuls of Hard-Rights who are angry about their 401(k)s? Special Needs voters? Talk about pandering!
Bush's insane overconfidence and sense of infallibility was bolstered largely by his being Born Again, and his being sober. This is a classic recipe for self-righteousness. He thought he knew it all, and God spoke to him. Palin believes much the same, without the backstory. This is why she's dangerous - but without the big machine behind her, she's done.
altonlee
the joke is in the white house right now, I just wonder if the US is going to survive the great one.
Autopilot
Roger 37
Geez, how did I miss that from Dr. B. Probably because I've just done the SpeedSkim on most of these entries and simply skipped the longer ones in fear of another free-form bloviation. But you're right, Dr. B offered up some straight scoop - good stuff. Thanks to him for shining a light on this. Thanks to you for the heads-up.
Wizdum
Let's also consider the current "controversy" with David Letterman. She actually stated that she believed he should "apologize to all women" for his satirical comments about Palin's eldest daughter, you know, the one that is an unwed teen mother.
I feel she should apologize to all women for failing to properly raise, educate, and supervise her own daughters as their parent. We are, however, talking about a megalomaniac, incapable of acknowledging her own failures, and in desirous need of attention. Maybe that is why she has continued to keep this story (and herself) in the headlines. Sad that she would turn her own families' hardships into another photo-op/ talk show circuit theme, but what can we really expect? I pray she goes away soon, and stays there. I don't believe that the GOP will consider her anything more than a showpiece of fluff. She has about the same credibility as Ariana Huffington, which is to say, none.
robjh1
Aren't all politicians?
Veronicaxy
No. Just the ones that seek and get most of the press to grandstand.
joymars
Please don't give this woman any more attention. She deserves none.
Unless this is all about photogenic chick tabloid crap. Then covering her this much makes sense.
But in a few years she'll develop the beginnings of wattles, turkey neck and jowls. Then we'll suddenly hear squat about her. I'm waiting for that blessed day...
crymeariver
But in a few years she'll develop the beginnings of wattles, turkey neck and jowls. Then we'll suddenly hear squat about her. I'm waiting for that blessed day...
----------------
Ever heard of PLASTIC SURGERY?! No the ex-beauty queen Governor will continue looking good up to the day she is 6 ft. under. I lost count of how many male newscasters put up the sexy 'Runner's World' pics for no obvious reason. They are going to milk it like the Obama shirtless pics! But let's face the facts, it's a man's world I don't see anything wrong with a woman using what God (or her local plastic surgeon) gave her.
joymars
Plastic surgery doesn't really work for sexy youthfulness. The camera picks it up and it ruins the essential youthful image. Even the best jobs are detectable. Believe me. She won't be able to get away with it. Youth is youth. There's no manufacturing it. Some actresses are forgiven it by the public -- if the job is good enough. We see it as them keeping up appearances as they actually age.
Nancy Pelosi and Elizabeth Dole are two politicians who have gotten away with it because their stock in trade was never sexy youthfulness.
The empty-headed Palin only has sexy youthfulness. Plastic surgery kills it. The public won't fantasize as much about her sex life with the "First Dude." She'll become the marginal figure she should have been from the beginning.
kent1944
goldberg forgot to mention shes dumb as nails.
giantphan
hey ..... thats not fair ..... before you say something you should stop and think ...."will what i'm about to say cause pain, is it fair, should i say it?"
now Kent with all due respect i think an apology is in order ..... what did those nails ever do to you???
joymars
The blogger is agog at the brazenness of Palin having a PAC when she clearly won't need one in 2012.
That's not the point. ALL politicians strive for the holy grail of PAChood. It's where the money is. It's the same reason why she got herself a book deal. She really wants to reveal herself? To speak to the American people? Nah. She just wants the money.
So 2008.
piktor
Let's cut to the chase: Gov. Palin has a grandiose GasLine $23 billion natural gas pipeline little project she is shephearding. The good guv tells us it will be paid in full by the private sector, yet she throws $500 million of the good people of Alaska's money into the "startup money" pit.
The the good guv promotes an $18 billion, no wait a $23 billion, wrong again, the good guv promotes a $30 billion federal government loan guarantee and she gets a N.Dakota Democratic senator to sponsor the bill on March 2009. The $30 billion loan guaratee is in committee right now, awaiting discussion and passage- or death in committee, as so many pipe dreams deservedly die an oblivious death.
Will the good Alaska guv get "the feds", -which she excoriates at will- said hateful D.C. baddies to guarantee her "private sector" boondoggle.
Never mind that the lower 48 have enough reserves of nat gas to last 100 years and all that.
And if you thought the GasLine will run through Alaska, think again. It will run mostly through Canada and will be built by a Canadian company. Yes, Exxon was added to the mix. The same Exxon the good guv ran against in her 2006 campaign and also excoriated as the bane of all what is good for Alaskans. And on and on with the good guv Palin.
Samiil
Back on January 9, 09, Nicholas Tucker, Sr., a resident of the village Emmonak, in western Alaska, sent a letter to churches, food banks, state agencies and other groups in Alaska requesting money, food and fuel to avert a massive crisis in his village where the residents were running out of food and fuel for the winter. This was a crisis that was long in the making but these people could not get help from their governor.
The story appeared in The Bristol Bay Times, Jan. 12, 2009, was picked up by "Mudflats", based in Alaska and by several other sites (Daily Kos, Huffington Post, The Anchorage Daily News, many others).
http://www.thebristolbaytimes.com/news/story/4512
http://www.themudflats.net)
http://www.adn.com/rural/western/story/654652.html
After the story appeared in the BB Times and on blog sites, many individuals and groups across the country organized grassroots efforts to get donated food and other supplies and money to Emmonak and to other villages in rural Alaska. The tons of food and money sent to volunteer Alaska bloggers serving as co-coordinators, was distributed to various rural villages.
There was no response from Sarah Palin for six weeks to the humanitarian crisis occuring in rural Alaska.
Dennis Zaki, an Alaskian videographer went to Emmonak, interviewed the people and got video footage. Money to get Zaki to Emmonak was raised by BLOGGERS. CNN interviewed him and aired video from his trip. Other networks did not. A humanitarian crisis occuring to in rural Alaska was not important.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/02/05/rural.alaska.villages/index.html
Where was Sarah? Cocktail parties in Washington, D.C., stumping for Saxby in Georga, etc.
Palin only responded after SIX WEEKS HAD PASSED AND SHE WAS BEGINING TO LOOK BAD.
What did she do?
She and her reich-wing evangelican industry cohorts made a photo-op trip to rural Alaska to deliver food on planes owned by evangelicals in AK. Palin, however, did not deliver food to the villages that were suffering the most and has asked for assistance; she went to a different village, Russian Mision. The people in Russian Mission did not know why she was bringing food to their village since they were not the ones undergoing the crisis.
Since Sarah did not go to the village asking for help, Nicholas Tucker of Emmonak, went to Russian Mission to confront her. She offered him platitudes.
http://alaskadispatch.com/news/rural-alaska/592-a-village-in-peril
http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/national/hawaiialaska/42404107.html
Palin is ignorant and uneducated and is an embarrassment to anyone who values education.
Rural Alaskian villages ARE STILL being helped by bloggers and people across the country, the Palin dog and pony show with the son of Billy Graham not withstanding.
And in spite of the glorious good reports by Palin and her synocpant John Moller that the problems in Emmonak are over, Nick Tucker, Emmonak village elder, begs to differ.
http://open.salon.com/blog/writing_raven/2009/03/24/nick_tucker_on_palin
Superfancy
Although I dislike Sarah Palin, the excerpts I've read of Todd Purdum's article indicate that it's a badly-written hatchet job. He seems to rely heavily on anonymous sources. In his dreadful profile of Bill Clinton, Purdum claimed that Clinton, too, was a narcissist. I seriously doubt the claim that Alaskans refer frequently to the DSM.
Redhead5050
Read the entire article..it is well written.
roger37
Clinton is a narcissist. But he's also one of the smartest people to inhabit the White House, and when he wasn't putting his willy in the wrong place, he was one of the most effective presidents in modern times, because he's an intelligent man.
giantphan
if he was so smart why won't he realease his college grades ..... he had the chance to finish and actually become a rhode scholar but oxford asked him not to come back
MarcosElMalo
@giantphan
Those silly English, driving on the wrong side of the Rhode.
It's spelled Rhodes, with an "s" at the end. Named after Cecil Rhodes, famous prime minister of the Cape Colony and founder of De Beers. And Clinton WAS a Rhodes Scholar. Not sure where you're getting your (mis)info. I suggest you get a new rhode map.
roger37
"Oxford asked him not to come back?" Say what? What right wing "think tank" came up with that? How about some references? Oh, I forgot---wingers don't deal in fact.
giantphan
marcos, thanks for the spelling lesson
Clinton was awarded the rhodes scholarship but he never completed the courses ..... he could have beena rhodes scholar had he finished
it's like getting a schoarship to med school ..... your not automatically a doctor
have a great 4th
roger
right away you assume i'm a winger ..... how about a conversation without assumptions ..... read barbara olsons book ..... gary aldrige, ..... dick morris ...... bernie goldberg ...... if i'm wrong i'm willing to listen to a reasonable discussion .... not your winger, think tank crap
the first year he was in england he spent several years touring russia at anti-american rallies ....... i'm still willing to learn, should i get my facts from people like dan rather reporting on bush's service???
like i said .... i'm willing to learn
i hope your holiday is a happy one my friend
giantphan
sorry ..... i meant several months in russia .....not years ...... its early here and i have only had 4 beers so far ...... i'm kidding ..... i had 3 ...... no .... kidding really ..... i don't drink ..... i'm on meds ..... lol ..... no really i jest .... what was the question??? ..... i drank the fifth ...... i mean plead the fifth, sorry ...... aw come on i'm kidding ...... have a happy 4th ..... everyone have a bbq ...... drink lotsa beer ...... play with explosives ...... whats wrong with this picture ...... i know , don't have a bbq ...... ok enough ....... fade to black
roger37
Hey, Giantphan: I wouldn't call Bernie Goldberg and Dick Morris "reasonable discussion." That being said, I guess today is the day to remember that we can bitch at each other and express opinion because of the government we have, and we should be grateful.
Happy 4th to you, too.
Ozone69
What is it about Governor Palin that garners this much attention from the media. Isn't Joe what's his name VP? I heard he's over somewhere we have soldiers that are fighting some war or something. This is much more important though. She's a narcissist.........Mmmmmmmmmm
exploora
I think there is a greater chance that Palin might be attributing certain things to acts of "God". According to some theories, a person's belief in "God" creates a "superego" in their consciousness, which is able to rationalize the decisions they make, regardless of the efffect they have on others, or what others think. I don't think that can be described as typical egotistical narcissism, and it appaers to be typical when a person is "born" again.
Danbury
This is a good and interesting point, although I'd argue that in many instances, "Born Again" people are inherently narcissistic. Their narcissism is the very thing that makes fundamental religion appealing to them.
The problem I have with the author's argument is that, I think Americans forgive certain traits, including narcissism, in their pols (why we can't forgive silly affairs is beyond me) so long as they aren't also batsh*t insane. It's not the narcissism that is the deal breaker on Palin for so many but the fact that she's utterly unqualified and nutty.
But then again, we did have GWB for eight years!
Veronicaxy
""Born Again" people are inherently narcissistic. Their narcissism is the very thing that makes fundamental religion appealing to them."
Makes a ton of sense -- who else but a narcisisst would insist everyone live under the religious laws they believe in, despite the multiplicity of religions? There is no room for any other beliefs than their own.
I think this will help me in dealing with my fundamentalist relatives, thanks Danbury!
(My hubby who grew up in the South pointed out that Jimmy Carter is Born Again and that they aren't necessarily fundamentalists.)
exploora
I think it is a possible misunderstanding of their link to God.
I am quiet aware of mine. I demand sunshine, I get rained on. I demand to grow tall, I stay 5ft ok I lied, 4ft 11.5. :(.
My point is we are mere mortals. Every single one of us. With our frailties and strengths.
I have accepted being a mere mortal a long time ago and know how important it is to give thanx to everything and for everything that comes my my way, ok for even coming. I mean we all arrived on the planet, in one way or another, cause of the coming.
I might get edited. Another possible validation of mere mortality.
Life is so short here on this beautiful planet. Why do I want to accept that? wah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
bkworm
It's not NPD, it's called STUPID
Ritarita
No.
It's NPD-
If you ever meet up
With someone who has NPD-
You don't forget the experience.
And you can recognize it from a mile away.
It's also referred to as malignant self love.
Thank you.
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