Palin Populism: 'The Rogue' Challenges Consensus Views

With the release of her new book, a facebook account, and an interview with Oprah, Sarah Palin has once again remerged in the public eye to intense reactions and grass-root support. As crowds rally along her book tour as if she were campaigning, Republicans are faced with a big question: should they relay on this powerful version of populism that Palin is rousing for their future electoral hopes?

The “ordinary citizen” hockey mom has come to embody the anti-elitism and deep skepticism of government that is at the root of populism. Anger due to government bailouts of Wall Street, unchecked actions by the elite, and increased government regulation are motivating this tide of support, which could be very powerful for the republican party, but also very dangerous electorally speaking. As Michael Kazin, a history professor at Georgetown University, says in the New York Times, “People for whom that is the major identity don’t get elected president. It’s a scary way to talk — not a way to talk to persuade people to trust you with power.”

If the republicans do decide to go with this Palin inspired populist sentiment, they will be betting on the fact that a “American Consensus”, or a shared set of values for all citizens, is not impenetrable to cracks, and that the struggle between elites and the masses over values will fall squarely on the side of “the people”. With the economic situation today, ordinary citizens have certainly rebelled against the unchecked economic and cultural values of the elite. If this anger and frustration were to be channeled in a productive manner it might prove successful, but republicans remain very much aware of the risks that this “populist wave” Palin is riding entails, including the threat to their conventional order.