The Global Misperception of Sarah Palin

Yesterday’s post related to the International Threat Sarah Palin has become. Among the many comments responding to this article, “jadez” said:

“well my time here has come to a close.  if you people really believe what you write here then its no place for rational people.  try reading some international newspapers if you want to understand all those people who you think take palin serious.  you will find they are not as stupid as americans.  see ya

While negative comments usually do not bother me, this one was different. It caused me to wonder if the people of South Korea, and around the world really understood that Palin should not be taken seriously. I found this report from Australia that indicated a lack of respect for Sarah Palin.

While I hoped that the astute perception of this Australian commentator was typical of international perception of Sarah Palin, it seemed unlikely. Just as in the United States, the place that knows her best, likes her least. Sarah Palin was originally extremely popular in Alaska, with an 82% approval rating. Now that Alaskans have come to know the true Sarah, her approval ratings have declined to 29%. The reality in South Korea, where they don’t know her very well, is that she is perceived as a leader in the American politics.  

 

The World Knowledge Forum was designed “to provide a U.S. leadership perspective on how to lead the world out of the latest economic crisis.”. Palin was listed not just as a speaker, but as the “keynote” speaker. Palin is described as a “Presidential Candidate.”

While in South Korea Palin:

“… also plans to meet with South Korea’s next presidential contenders and major politicians during the forum.”  Former British prime minister Gordon Brown and Larry Summers, ex-director of US President Barack Obama’s National Economic Council, were also scheduled to speak.

Given her position as the “keynote speaker, “ her identification as a “presidential candidate” and the other people speaking at this conference, there is a clear indication that the South Koreans perceive her as a political leader in the United States.  That’s the reason that her appearance and speech were so inappropriate and potentially dangerous. She said:

‘‘The first victims of his regime are his own people. That is so inherently unfair and unjust that I look forward to this entire regime being able to be rebuilt, South Korea being able to assist North Korea when that regime is finally ousted.’’

For Palin to openly advocate the “ousting” of the North Korean regime is inexcusable. South Korea and the United States have worked hard to improve relations with the North Korean government. This has been especially challenging with the proliferation of nuclear weapons in North Korea, and the attacks last year when two South Korean marines were killed.

North Korea maintains one of the world’s largest standing armies and militarism pervades everyday life

Palin’s remarks and appearance in South Korea were offensive, as she is known for her lack of insight into the difference between North and South Korea.

However it was that interview with Glenn Beck in which Sarah Palin attacked President Obama for not taking a harder line to sanction North Korea. Her statements made in South Korea are even more offensive because as she was speaking while South Korean President Lee Myung-bak had been meeting with President Obama. The two presidents were reported to be  discussing, among other things, ways to re-engage with North Korea.

“The government will make efforts to put inter-Korean relations on a normal footing and continue to prepare for peaceful unification.” said Lee. Although Seoul’s outreach to Pyongyang has not borne any fruit, Cha and other analysts expect that the United States will also resume engagement with North Korea in the hopes of moderating the North’s behavior and ensuring the cooperation of the North’s ally China in future regional disarmament talks.

“The longer that you do not engage with (North Korea), the more likely it is that they will carry out another provocation, whether that is a nuclear test or whether that is an armed conventional provocation against the South again,” said Cha.

For Sarah Palin to interfere with the President’s attempts to promote peace between North and South Korea is unforgivable. To antagonize the North Korean government is inexcusable. To interfere with the President’s relationships with foreign countries is treasonous.