by Mark Silva
Sarah Palin had told the sponsors of her speech to investors in Hong Kong today that she'd have to give a different sort of speech if the media, which is always "making things up,'' were allowed into the room.
So the doors were closed to the press when Palin, the former mayor of Wasilla, Ala., (and governor before quitting midway through her term), addressed the CLSA Asia Pacific Markets Conference, a forum which Bill Clinton and Al Gore before her had addressed.
But someone taped the talk, and the Wall Street Journal's Washington Wire reports that it has reviewed a recording of Palin's talk, and the online edition is sharing some highlights of Palin's remarks:
"You can call me a common-sense conservative. ... Common sense conservatism deals with the reality of the world as it is. Complicated and beautiful, tragic and hopeful, we believe in the rights and the responsibilities and the inherent dignity of the individual.
"We don't believe that human nature is perfectible.
"We're suspicious of government efforts to fix problems because often what it's trying to fix is human nature, and that is impossible. It is what it is. But that doesn't mean that we're resigned to, well, any negative destiny. Not at all. I believe in striving for the ideal, but in realistic confines of human nature...''
In the pursuit of self-definition, the label that Palin is adopting sounds like one that could get a road-test someday similar to that "compassionate conservative'' who won the White House in 2000, the former two-term governor of Texas.
"The opposite of a common-sense conservative is a liberalism that holds that there is no human problem that government can't fix if only the right people are put in charge. Unfortunately, history and common sense are not on its side. We don't trust utopian promises. We deal with human nature as it is.''
(Sarah Palin is pictured above at the 16th annual CLSA Investors' Forum in Hong Kong Photo by CLSA Asia-Pacific Markets, Jeff Topping, via AP.)
"While we might be in the wilderness, conservatives need to defend the free market system and explain what really caused last year's collapse. ... We got into this mess because of government interference in the first place.
"The mortgage crisis that led to the collapse of the financial market, it was rooted in a good-natured, but wrongheaded, desire to increase home ownership among those who couldn't yet afford to own a home. In so many cases, politicians on the right and the left, they wanted to take credit for an increase in home ownership among those with lower incomes. But the rules of the marketplace are not adaptable to the mere whims of politicians...
"How can we discuss reform without addressing the government policies at the root of the problems? The root of the collapse? And how can we think that setting up the Fed as the monitor of systemic risk in the financial sector will result in meaningful reform? The words "fox" and "hen house" come to mind. The Fed's decisions helped create the bubble.
"Look at the root cause of most asset bubbles, and you'll see the Fed somewhere in the background.''
And the Republican nominee for vice president in 2008, viewed by some as a potential candidate for president in 2012, had this to say about the health-care debate underway:
"I seem to have acquired notoriety in national debate. And all because of two words: death panels. And it is a serious term.
"It was intended to sound a warning about the rationing that is sure to follow if big government tries to simultaneously increase health care coverage while also claiming to decrease costs....
"It's just common sense to realize that government's attempts to solve large problems like the health-care challenges that we have, more often create new ones, and a top down one size fits all plan will not improve the workings of a nationwide health-care system that accounts for some one-fifth of our economy....
"Real health-care reform is market oriented, patient centered and result driven. It would give all individuals the same tax benefit, that an ideal plan that I would have in mind, same tax benefits as those who get coverage through their employers. And give Medicare recipients vouchers so that they can buy their own coverage. And reform tort laws and change regulations to allow people to buy insurance across state lines.
"Rather than another top down government plan,'' Palin told her audience, "we should give Americans themselves control over their own health care with market friendly responsible ideas.''
Wonder what she would have said differently with the press in the room.
Comments
The words "Palin" and "Common Sense" should never be used in the same sentence...
Posted by: moreofthesame | September 23, 2009 3:00 PM
Palin was in front of actual Communists saying these things about America and a sitting U.S. President!
I know we have a tendency to joke about these things, but that is Disgusting. The stupidity of the Republican party is extremely dangerous.
The folks Palin was speaking in front of have their hands on our debt and therefore our future. I am not one to say no to the first amendment, but when is the Democratic Party going to step in and say something. Remember the crap the Republican party came up with when Pelosi made her trip overseas last year?
Posted by: Disgusted | September 23, 2009 3:10 PM
The words that I have for this pathetic loser/quitter/idiot (Palin) are not fit for posting here...
I have zero patience for such an unqualified, disastrous, loser airhead. The quitter from Alaska has no business hosting a TV chat show, never mind speaking overseas on any topic with any remote level of substance.
Palin and the Teabaggers are Exhibit A of how stupid AND crazy are a horrible combination.
She isn't fit to be assistant manager at a bait shop.
Posted by: Annie | September 23, 2009 3:23 PM
"And give Medicare recipients vouchers so that they can buy their own coverage. " Palin just admitted that she intends to throw Granny under the bus...take her medicare, give her a "tax credit", and throw her to the insurance sharks. Death Panels will be the LEAST of granny's worries. God help us all if this idiot gets anywhere NEAR the whitehouse.
Posted by: Mary | September 23, 2009 3:26 PM
Did she really say "It is what it is"??? THe most annoying phrase ever you are most likely to hear quoted by dimwitted atheletes and reality series contestants. She is out of her league. There are at least 30 Republicans more qualified than her.
Posted by: sensible | September 23, 2009 3:36 PM
'yes we can" is the most annoying phrase ever.
Especially when it's said by someone as corrupt, incompetent, naive lying chicago poltician like obama.
obama was out of his league as almost any democrat out there was more qualified, but scamming is what obama does best (ACORN) and he really duped the college students and the poor, who actually expected change but just got more of the same!
Divided we fall, well - the only thing this bozo has done is make the division worse.
Posted by: anyonebutobama2012 | September 23, 2009 3:50 PM
but scamming is what obama does best (ACORN) and he really duped the college students and the poor
Posted by: anyonebutobama2012 | September 23, 2009 3:50 PM
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If only we had known that all the problems in our country were caused by the all powerfull ACORN!
Look at the power this massive criminal conspiracy has! They are solely at fault for the banking meltdown. The banks and Wall Street were powerless against them! They have controlled every election in history through massive vote fraud. They destroyed New Orleans. The hookers David Vitter used? Supplied by ACORN. ACORN outed Valerie Plame. ACORN has Saddam's WMD's and are going to supply them to Iran. Who was on the grassy knoll? ACORN. Who let the dogs out? ACORN.
Posted by: TheGOPHasNoOneWhoCanBeatObamaIn2012 | September 23, 2009 4:17 PM
Palin would have quit by now had Gramps McCain won the elction. She even cried when he wouldn't let her yammer during his concession speech. She was shocked that he didn't let her speak too. Shocked and teary eyed.
She doesn't take to the back seat supportive position too well. Unless she's in the spotlight she can't stand it...without any follow-up questions from the audience of course.
I wonder what McCain thinks about his "pick" now? He's the one who inflicted this abomination upon the world.
Posted by: Lacy Wilde | September 23, 2009 4:27 PM
Posted by: anyonebutobama2012 | September 23, 2009 3:50 PM
Do the rabid need a bib when they rant?
Posted by: bill r. | September 23, 2009 4:53 PM
Boy, a lot of happy comments here. Considering the acts of the last administration and now this one, I feel I'm watching a Stephen King movie and yet we have this this anti-Palin gig obsession which is really stupid. What concerns me is the schizophrenia and total lack of comprehension on this page.
Posted by: Harold | September 23, 2009 5:02 PM
this anti-Palin gig obsession which is really stupid. What concerns me is the schizophrenia and total lack of comprehension on this page.
Posted by: Harold | September 23, 2009 5:02 PM
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Schizophrenia and total lack of comprehension? Yeah, when I listen to Palin and the Teabaggers I think the very same thing.
Posted by: Steve | September 23, 2009 5:16 PM
BillyR,
Ask FITZ, Scottie, or little Trickled On John E - they will give you historical experience.
Posted by: Terry | September 23, 2009 5:34 PM
Once agaion a Republican goes overseas to bash the United States and it's governmment in front of our enemies in order to cozy up to a nation run by dictators. How typical. Why does Sarah Palin hate America and love the Communist Chinese? Why does she have to go overseas to attack our governemnt and give aid anbd comfort to the enemies of Freedom?
Posted by: Anti-communist Crusader. | September 23, 2009 6:55 PM
"Schizophrenia and total lack of comprehension? Yeah, when I listen to Palin and the Teabaggers I think the very same thing."
Exactly what I said. The deal is you don't know why your complaining. Its common place and acceptable to insult and curse without explanation or reason.
Posted by: Harold | September 23, 2009 7:06 PM
What the hey! Somebody stated that when Sarah got off of the plane, she asked what are all of these Chinese doing here. She gave a talk about finances?? That is why she left her post in Alaska, to follow the money, before her popularity ebbs. whiteagle38
Posted by: Raymond Juneau | September 23, 2009 10:07 PM
TALK ABOUT RIGHT ON..GOVERNOR PALIN IS RIGHT ON IN THIS SPEECH. MAN O MAN...THIS MIGHT BE THE WOMAN WHO BRAKES THE GLASS CEILING... IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN???
Posted by: jim beck | September 24, 2009 12:50 AM
How does this uber-idiot even know where China is?
Posted by: Onenationundersurveilance | September 24, 2009 8:16 AM
I wonder if she made that jacket herself... without a pattern. Her Republican Party handlers did a lot better job of picking her wardrobe...
Posted by: irene | September 24, 2009 9:08 AM
Why hasn't anyone pointed out about how many delegates walked out of her speech because they were totally unimpressed with what she was saying?
http://thinkprogress.org/2009/09/23/delegates-leave-palin/
Posted by: BC | September 24, 2009 9:17 AM
What is humorous is how upset liberals get at any mention of Palin and the fact that she draws huge crowds and has millions of supporters. As they watch their inexperienced, fumbler-in-chief botch one proposal after another and plunge this nation closer to bankruptcy, it's no wonder liberals, including Swamp, are so afraid of her.
Posted by: McKinley | September 24, 2009 12:52 PM
Is it just me or I thought President Palin stopped politrix??
Posted by: Constant Gina | September 24, 2009 1:42 PM
JIM BECK What the hey! Jim Beck you don't have to scream. Are you sure you have that first name right? Couldn't be Glenn, could it. Remember the Republicans never do anything for this country, they only do things to this country! whiteagle38
Posted by: Raymond L. Juneau | September 24, 2009 3:28 PM
I love her independence, her strength and her femininity...she is a strong and passionate women and a good mother and wife. I like Palin, she is a true trooper and lover of our country and would lead us into total freedom and justice…
Posted by: jack lord | September 24, 2009 5:35 PM
We always hear about how much Palin, Southern cons/fundies, and secessionists of all stripes just love the US so much, yet want to break it up.
Posted by: BlueBirdWhisperer | September 24, 2009 9:09 PM
love her independence, her strength and her femininity...she is a strong and passionate women and a good mother and wife. I like Palin, she is a true trooper and lover of our country and would lead us into total freedom and justice…
Posted by: jack lord | September 24, 2009 5:35 PM
Other than her notorious affair with her husband's business partner, I'm sure she was indeed a "good wife." You wingnut zombies really take the cake.
Posted by: a blinkin | September 25, 2009 10:00 AM
She must be back shopping at the "Resale Shop"...Obviously the Repubs didn't purchase the jacket she is wearing this time...Actually looks more like goodwill stores..Poor baby..Can't have the press there when she speaks...Same old hysterical personality..Can only dish it out but not take it!!!
Posted by: kaye c. | September 25, 2009 4:56 PM
I see both the Dem's and Repub's today as two kettles calling each other "kettles." Beyond that, the healthcare plan the Dem' rolled out (was this really Obama's plan?) looks like someone chopped and welded the front half of a 1950 Chevy to the back half of a Model T. In the end both D's and R's seem to be content with playing a "Zero Sum" game GLOWING WITH VICTORY GLORIES if only to stop the other side from accomplishing anything. I voted for Bush the first time, bought his story, voted against the second time, had to for his decisions in the first term. After 8 years, of Bush the record stands that R's had "The Hill" for six years and did what they wanted to do and it NEVER included anything about the border or healthcare which tells me the R's are content with open borders and 10+% annual inflation in healthcare costs. Add to that, at the very end of the Bush era, add the very sad picture of Henry Paulson hat-in-had, before Congress with a two page memo to support his request for $1T to save the banks of western democracies from total collapse. And, if we had not at least saved AIG, that is what we would have had! Intially THIS is the "Bush/Republican Legacy"--8 years of muddled confusion at best. After all of that, I had to vote against the R's alltogether and voted for Obama in hopes that he would deliver on the "high hopes" he proferred for "change." Well, after only 8 months, it looks like the "change" was a "throwback" many decades to a proposal FDR would have loved. ENOUGH SAID. Now, I am game for Palin. I'll vote for her, in fact if we could replace Obama by election, I'd vote today! As crazy as that sounds, I admit, what I saw of Bush & the R's in 8 years and what only 8 brief months has shown of Obama... a president chosen by LOTTERY from among the general population has the probabilty of providing a better solution, include the entire Congress in the lottery while we are at it, as Congress, not by their words, but by their actions show they are totally LOST to the concept of the word "representative." I say "Go Palin!" She is so outrageously unsuited for the job and THIS FACT in full agreement by both sides, by my "contrarian logic" she IS EXACTLY the person who can SAVE AMERICA and get this insanity gone and our country back on track. I am not discouraged by the vitriol about her from boths sides, it is most definitely BECAUSE OF IT I AM CONVINCED SHE IS the best candidate for President of the United States in 2012, and I, here and now pledge my support, for the stated reasons above, and call one and all who read this entire blog to consider the same! Palin is most certainly the answer by evidence that both sides condemn her so instantly and so thoroughly. In what we have seen in the presidency and Congress for that past 10 years, yea verily, I say 20 years! I KNOW I AM RIGHT!!! Thank God for the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution (trash the Patriot Act have you read it???), Statue of Liberty, Liberty Bell, Holy Bible and Sarah Palin, the next president of the United States!!! And none too soon at that!!! Join me now and send a check for at least $20 to the "Elect Sarah Palin 2012 Fund" that doesn't even exist yet. But the only hope for us now to even imagine having a future is to elect Sarah Palin. Every objection to my claims here, both Democratic and Republican PROVE I AM RIGHT!!! Stop this inane, bickering for jsut one minute and REALIZE that my attempt here is to speak truth and not cheap-shot criticism and celophane complant. Sarah Palin IS the only alternative, to hope some "savior" like Bill Clinton or Mark Sanford is waiting in the wings is the highest foolishness imaginable. Stop for just a moment and realize, the objections to Palin, and that from both sides, prove she is the only candidate who bring su any HOPE of delivering this nation from certain demise -- that TRUTH THUNDERS WITH PEALS as from the Liberty Bell -- pre-crack!!! ENOUGH with the fools who have led us so long, PALIN 2012!!!
Posted by: Walt Clayton | October 2, 2009 5:20 PM