In Switch, Palin Flames Out as Hillary Soars

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 29, 2009 7:40 AM CDT

(Newser) – Sarah Palin's resignation speech on Sunday showed how far she's fallen, writes Maureen Dowd: "Once a blazingly confident media darling," the now-former Alaska governor has become a ranting, whiny "Nixon with hair extensions." It's a marked contrast from Hillary Clinton, who on the same day gave an hourlong interview to Meet the Press. Her trajectory has been just the opposite—once "paranoid and press-loathing," the secretary of State is now radiating self-assurance.

The wonkishness that once made Clinton seem aloof has become a benefit at the State Department, writes the New York Times columnist, and she and Barack Obama have a genuine rapport that has surprised everyone. What a difference from Palin, who used to say women who wanted "to progress the country" should work harder than men, but has since decided to coast. "She's morphed into what the Republicans always caricatured Hillary as—preachy, screechy, and angry."

[Images (5)]

[Quotes (2)]

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin gives a thumbs up during her resignation speech during a ceremony in Fairbanks, Alaska, Sunday, July 26, 2009. (AP Photo/Al Grillo)

Sarah Palin stands next to her daughter Piper as they dish out hot-dogs during the governor's picnic in Wasilla, Alaska Friday, July 24, 2009. (AP Photo/Al Grillo)

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during the opening session of the first U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue in Washington, Monday, July 27, 2009. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and moderator David Gregory on "Meet the Press'" Sunday, July 26, 2009, at the NBC studios in Washington. (AP Photo/Meet The Press, William B. Plowman)

Tina Fey as Sarah Palin and Amy Poehler as Hillary Clinton on Saturday Night Live. (AP Photo/Dana Edelson, NBCU Photo Bank)

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Sarah, lacking Hillary’s cerebral side, has decided to wing it, Quayle-style, and go only for the visceral. That’s why she now sounds like a demagogue, embodying grievances and playing to people’s worst impulses. - Maureen Dowd

In this White House, Barack Obama is the pretty thing who is taken with Hillary’s serious, smartest-girl-at-Wellesley aura. In a funny way, he’s the man of her dreams. - Maureen Dowd

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 9 comments

NewserScooter

Jul 31, 2009 2:02 AM CDT

Yep she married well. And invested very well too!

inky

Jul 30, 2009 12:49 PM CDT

I dunno, didn't Forrest Gump famously say "stupid is as stupid does?" She's sure done one stupid thing after the next.

lindamae

Jul 30, 2009 4:30 AM CDT

Dowd: Do you too support sex between 14 year old girls and 30 plus men? Letterman is a hero among "liberals" for his 2 jokes about Palin's 14 year old. He claims he made a mistake. He has a staff to google, check facts, etc. and he had to accept the jokes. The man spent 95 nights with at at least one Palin joke. I can believe you are unsure about what Palin had done, and can do. You'll never find out in the media since she terrorizes them. The better she is, the more she is vilified. Just like Rush and Beck. Don't worry, Dowd, you won't ever have to worry. You and your ideas are not worthy of our time and energy and I can't believe I am taking time to respond. I have seen pictures of Katie and Diane drooling at Obama - lusting in their hearts - and I remember a picture of Monica at a press affair with Bill. She looked as if she saw the million dollars saving her dress earned her. Down wouldn't know good journalism if it bit her.

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Hillary Clinton • women • secretary of State • resignation • Clinton 2008 • Election 2008 • women in office • Sarah Palin • Obama administration • Obama Cabinet

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