Published: July 08, 2009 12:13 am      

DUVALL: An open letter to Sarah Palin

Dear Governor Palin,

I don’t normally write directly to someone, but this seems appropriate. I realize Wasilla is a long way from North Tonawanda, but you seem to have struck a chord here — and just about everywhere else for that matter.

Like most people, I was to say the least surprised to hear that you are resigning as governor. I share in your frustration about the amount of news you’ve generated, though I doubt we’re frustrated for the same reason.

You seem to be under the impression that controversy unfairly surrounds you. In your speech last Friday, you implied that enemies have made it their life’s work to discredit you.

There have been some truly horrible and mean-spirited things said about you and your family. I didn’t say any of them, but I might have laughed at a few — particularly the Caribou Barbie thing. I actually agreed with you on the whole Letterman flap. I like Letterman, but he was being a jerk.

Then there was your complaint about the political attacks. That’s where I get off the train.

You sound like a conspiracy theorist when you say we’re out to get you. It’s not very becoming. You were the vice presidential nominee of a major party’s national ticket. You and your record were fair game. If you can’t see that, I don’t know what to tell you.

And while we’re at it, did you ever stop to think about what a hypocrite you sound like, complaining of unfair attacks when you accused Barack Obama of “palling around with terrorists?” That was the most outrageous thing one politician has done to another on the national stage since Aaron Burr shot a guy.

What I’m saying is, you know how to dish it out. When it comes to taking a punch, though, it’s about the politics of personal destruction.

No one turned you into a political punchline. You did that all by yourself.

Think about it: We didn’t know you from Adam when McCain picked you. You had every opportunity to show us your good side. Instead, you gave a bunch of really embarrassing answers to easy questions. No, those weren’t trick questions. It wasn’t “Gotcha” journalism. Asking a candidate what newspapers they read is completely fair. Not our fault you didn’t have an answer better than “oh, all of them.”

Speaking of bad press, I read that profile on you in Vanity Fair. Ouch! Apparently, lots of people you know think you might have a mental illness along the lines of narcissistic personality disorder. Delusions of grandeur, paranoia about one’s enemies, etc. I’ll refrain from pulling a Bill Frist and diagnosing you over the television, but when people who know you wonder something like that it speaks rather loudly.

There is some good news, though. You obviously have political skill. You don’t go from small-town mayor to vice presidential candidate in two years without having something going for you. I just wish you’d done a better job once you got on the big stage.

This nation needs an advocate for some things and you would have been perfect. Like many people, I was touched by your family’s story about your son’s Down syndrome. A dear friend of mine has a little sister with Down’s. I could think of nothing better than a staunch advocate for children with special needs in the White House.

Similarly, you are one of just two women in history to be a part of a major national ticket. There are a whole range of women’s issues — nonpolitical ones, even — that you could have helped address. Equal pay and workplace rights? Sexual harassment? Domestic violence? Yes, our country needs a woman in high office who can speak to those issues.

You could have been that woman. You could have reaffirmed for all Americans, much like your opponent Barack Obama did, that anything is possible in this country. His election was a watershed moment for race relations.

But because of your conduct during the campaign, had we picked you and McCain, the only thing it would have reaffirmed was the gullible nature of the American electorate after eight years of George Bush.

Your political career may well be over now. If it indeed is, I just wanted you to know that your legacy is of your own making and not anyone else’s.

Managing Editor Eric DuVall’s column appears every Wednesday and Sunday. Contact him at 693-1000, ext. 112 or by e-mail to eric.duvall@tonawanda-news.com.