Conservative columnist Peggy Noonan, who was a harsh critic of Sarah Palin during the campaign, now argues that the media is abetting the VP candidate's rise for their own reasons. On "Morning Joe" Thursday, Noonan said the press is trying to "take Sarah Palin and make her, subliminally, the face of the Republican party" -- to the party's detriment.
PEGGY NOONAN: Look, I think the headline with Mrs. Palin, let me throw out this idea: she will never not be with us, she will be covered regularly between now and 2012. There are a number of reasons for this. She is an interesting personality; her story was one that helped to fill the essence of the 2008 campaign.
But also, I happen to think the media is up to a bit of mischief here. I think the media wants to take Sarah Palin and make her, subliminally, the face of the Republican party. They want to make her: this is what Republicans are, the face of the party, the leader of the party, because it amuses them to do that.
WILLIE GEIST: Isn't that due in part that there's not really another compelling face at the moment to make [the face] of the Republican party?
NOONAN: Well, at the moment, she is at the moment, there are still emanations and tendrils of her fabulous celebrity in 2008, and so of course that's going on. But I still think the media is playing a little game there.
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