Crooner and movie star Harry Connick, Jr sang the national anthem at the Daytona 500, but according to the Orlando Sentinel, the real star of the race was Gov. Sarah Palin:
When she arrived for the drivers meeting, Palin was immediately mobbed. She briefly chatted with Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele, shook hands with supporters and smiled big.
She took a seat up front next to Harry Connick Jr., who sang the national anthem for the race. When NASCAR president Mike Helton acknowledged her as a special guest, she got the largest ovation from the room, packed from the front to the back with drivers, team members, support personnel and onlookers.
After sitting through the meeting, Palin could not get out the door. Fans mobbed her, asking for pictures and autographs. Her 12-person entourage, comprised of track security, a policeman, friends and spokespeople, tried to get her to the door and to her next appearance. But Palin could not help herself, and kept signing and posing for pictures.
Even when she was able to get out the door, she stopped every few feet to take pictures. One fan asked where her husband, Todd, was on Valentine’s Day. Palin said he couldn’t make it because he’s in Alaska preparing for the Iron Dog, the world’s longest snow-mobile race.
As she got moving again, Palin stopped when she saw a boy in a wheelchair to say hello and sign an autograph.
Here’s the problem I have with all this. Gov. Sarah Palin is building a cult of personality very similar to the kind President Obama built. I understand she is a cool person and popular with the right wing, but really, I don’t see this as a celebration of Governor Sarah Palin as much as it is All About Sarah!
I like Gov. Palin. Don’t think I don’t. I was bringing her up before anyone in the mainstream had even considered lying about her. I was happy McCain picked her. It changed my mind about voting for him.
My troubles stem from the cult like, rock star attitude people have about her. If they understand her politics and agree with her on the issues, cool. If they think she’s folksy, like it when she winks and says, “You betcha” or generally think she’s the bee’s knees but don’t know a thing about her politically, then that’s no different than the millions who fell in love with “the story” of Barack Obama.
Of course, I should be excited to see so many people excited about a conservative candidate, regardless of what they know about her politically. Maybe I should just lighten up and let her win on her celebrity following, then watch her implement her conservative agenda.
I’m curious what you think. Leave a comment and let me know.
