In the three-ring binder in front of Sarah Palin is an article from a John Birch Society publication. The photo appeared recently in the New York Times, leading observant readers to speculate about whether she is a John Bircher.
So, is Sarah Palin a John Birch Society member?
Well, the John Birch Society (JBS) posted a statement on their website that doesn't exactly say one way or the other, but suggests that she is not. What it says specifically is that:
"It does not connect her to The John Birch Society any more than a copy of the New York Times sitting on her desk would connect her to the New York Times Company."
Well, that's some fine logic considering the readership numbers of the New York Times and JBS newsletters respectively and, of course, the fact that the New York Times is a NEWSPAPER and the JBS is an membership ORGANIZATION. But whether Ms Palin is a card-carrying member of the John Birch Society or not, I really don't care.
Like our friend Johnny from Wasilla says below, lot's of JBS-minded folks are closeted.
But what I want is for people to take a closer look at why she was reads JBS publications, why she quotes Westbrook Pegler, who regularly wrote for JBS' "American Opinion" (what is now The New American magazine).** These aren't exactly standard fare. So, it seems pretty clear that either (A) Palin holds the views of such organizations and figures near and dear to her heart or (B) she's using these views or symbols to blow a dog whistle for folks that do.
Below is a comment on the JBS website in response to the statement made by the JBS by Johnny from Wasilla made on Saturday, 20 September 2008 at 08:20:
I know Sarah Palin and she knows me I went to RWU in Washington state every summer. I am from Wasilla. I worked on Sarah Palin's first campaign for Mayor. I was on a conference call with state officials to stop the Con-con.
Here's the deal, my Birch society friends. One of Sarah Palin's best friends (if not her very best friend) husband is an ardent supporter of the John Birch Society. He served on the city council with Sarah. He was not a member last time I checked because he is a politician and lets face it, the JBS, even though the most sane organization out there, is perceived as crazies. He does not join the JBS, much like me, because we don't want uneducated voter to write us off as an extremists.
That said, once she got into state office, Sarah has not proven as conservative as she used to be, or as we who supported her hoped. But she blows Biden, McCain and Obama out of the water."
**NOTE: "One Man's Opinion," was a newsletter launched by John Birch Society founder, Robert W. Welch in 1956. It was was renamed "American Opinion" and became JBS's official publication. JBS now publishes a bi-weekly magazine called "The New American" (which combines the JBS' formerly named "American Opinion Magazine" and "Review of the News")
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