A Terrifying Poll

by tristero

The great Joan Walsh is completely wrong when she writes:

the Washington Post released a poll showing a staggering 71 percent of Americans — and a majority of Republicans — don’t think Sarah Palin is qualified to be president

No, Joan, the number that’s staggering is that 26% of Americans actually think Palin is qualified to become the single most powerful human being in the world.

Think of it this way. As of 2009, the adult population of the United States – what the poll measured – was about 217.8 million. What this poll is saying, therefore, is that around 56,628,000 adult Americans are non compos mentis.

In extremis.

That is a staggering number.

And who, exactly, are all these Palin lovers? Well, here’s one of them. And here’s another:

The Massachusetts man charged this week with stockpiling weapons after saying he feared an imminent “Armageddon” appears to have been active in the Tea Party movement, and saw Sarah Palin, who he said is on a “righteous ‘Mission from God,'” as the only figure capable of averting the destruction of society.

As we reported yesterday, Gregory Girard, a Manchester technology consultant, was found with a stash of military grade weapons, explosive devices including tear gas and pepper ball canisters, camouflage clothing, knives, handcuffs, bulletproof vests and helmets, and night vision goggles, say police. They believe Girard, who pleaded not guilty at his arraignment, was “preparing for domestic and political turmoil,” and feared martial law would soon be imposed.

Girard’s wife said her husband had recently told her: “Don’t talk to people, shoot them instead,” and “it’s fine to shoot people in the head because traitors deserve it.”

Tristero, are you seriously suggesting that all Palin supporters are either intellectually dishonest Washington elites or rightwing militia-types with a Jones for apocalypse?

Of course not!

I’m fully aware that more than DC hacks and lunatic survivalists heart Palin. Indeed, there are many different ways to arrive at completely absurd, if not thoroughly insane beliefs, like the existence of a UFO in the tail of the Hale-Bopp comet or that Sarah Palin is qualified to be president. To be crystal clear: You don’t have to be a self-important villager or violent madman to love Palin.

She attracts all kinds, no doubt about it.