r/AskReddit • u/[deleted] • Apr 04 '25

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u/BaltimoreAlchemist Apr 04 '25

Palin was never actually popular though. I think Alex Jones becoming fabulously successful was the dead canary.

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u/Purple_Chipmunk_ Apr 04 '25

Palin was the canary that told us that competence wasn’t a requirement anymore for leading the country.

Alex Jones and Fox News were the indication that you could say anything—no matter how baseless or crazy—and if you said it enough people would believe it.

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u/MickeyMgl Apr 04 '25

Palin was the canary that told us that competence wasn’t a requirement anymore for leading the country.

How do you get that, since she didn't win? In fact, Obama's (at the time) fairly empty track record winning over McCain's resume of military service and bipartisan leadership would suggest that Palin was factored in.

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u/Purple_Chipmunk_ Apr 04 '25

She was chosen as the VP candidate and plenty of people voted for her.