Reading Sarah Palin Tea Leaves

By now you have heard the rumor that Sarah Palin is interested in a syndicated talk radio show.

Get used to this. Everyone is trying to figure out what Sarah Palin is going to do next and every tea leaf will be read.

Truthfully, the sky is the limit for Sarah Palin. She has such star appeal, she can make her fortune a dozen different ways - on television, through corporate or civic speeches, on the campaign trail, on radio or in print. Each of those venues allow Sarah Palin to make money, stay in the public eye and have a voice in the American debate. All of which increase her stature, shape her message and make her a better and stronger candidate for the 2012 Republican Presidential caucuses and primaries.

I believe firmly that she is doing everything with an eye to 2012. That doesn't mean she will end up running, but it does mean she is positioning herself for a possible run. The SarahPac, the well orchestrated appearances in the lower 48, her trip abroad to visit the troops, her oped piece in the Washington Post, her resignation (which I believe it retrospect will be seen as a brilliant move) and her farewell speech, which was really a campaign speech - everything points to a run in 2012.

All of her next moves will also be focused on 2012 - the book - the campaigning for other candidates - the speeches to Conservative organizations - and whatever else she does will be with an eye towards Iowa. But make no mistake, every decision, every move is being run through that filter.

Which brings us back to the talk radio rumor that started on the Inside Radio website.

Here is a quote from the "sources say" story (I am guessing the source, given the publication, is a radio excutive who was so excited he couldn't keep his mouth shut):

While not exactly shopping the GOP’s 2008 vice presidential candidate, sources say Palin representatives have been quietly testing the waters to see how much interest radio syndicators have for her.

Sources say Palin hasn’t committed to radio either, but rather it could be a possible next step for her.

Okay? So, there is really nothing there - there. Of course, one of the options would be radio - not really a big exclusive.

Actually, radio makes the most sense because Sarah Palin would not be tied to a studio - you can do a radio show from anywhere. So, she could still travel the country campaigning and giving speeches. In fact, she could bring on guests from her various stops or from home if she chooses.

And then the nameless writer who penned the article did what all of the weak minded in the media do - he or she followed the media elite like a lemming and took a cheap shot -

Coming to radio would be an ironic twist for Palin, whose position on the media is pretty clear. “Quit making things up,” she told reporters in her final speech as Governor last week.

I understand that comparatively it wasn't that much of a shot, but it attacks the Governor's credibility by alleging she is a hypocrite. It also has been used as a springboard for other stories to attack Sarah Palin more viciously. (I won't include the links here - if you want to read them, you can find hem yourself._

Also, I think if anyone in the country has a legitimate beef with the media, it is Sarah Palin who has been harassed, slandered and vilified - for what? Because she is a strong woman who is pro-life; because she was a threat to the media coronation of Barack Obama; because she didn't attend the right school, or go to the right cocktail parties or come from money; because she not only talked about traditional family values, but lived them; and because she is an attractive, conservative woman who had the courage to really campaign against Barack Obama.

It had nothing to do with anything she ever did, it had to do with who she is and what she represents. She was a threat who had to be destroyed - and it was all very personal - her lifestyle, her pregnancies, lies about her past = even her children.

But still, not for one minute did I believe that she was talking about everyone in the media. She did interviews with all the morning shows, she goes on FoxNews a lot and she spends most of her media time on - talk radio.

It would only make sense that if you want to combat the lies and distortions perpetuated by some in the media, you find an unfiltered way to tell the truth and defend yourself.

In other words, it wasn't the media or the mediums she attacked. It wasn't the platform or the delivery system. it was the people who use it irresponsibly - who, in her words, "make things up."

Expect more of this in the days to come - speculation about Sarah Palin's next move that comes complete with an unwarranted dig, distortion or misunderstanding of what Sarah Palin actually said or stands for.

The truth is that no one really knows what Sarah Palin is going to do next, except Sarah herself and those closest to her.

But I do hope she ends up with a radio talk show - it would be nice to hear about Sarah Palin from Sarah Palin. Everything else is just static.