Yep, you heard that right: former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin will travel to Hong Kong for her first commercial speaking engagement, a keynote address at the CLSA Investors' Forum September 23. Given that foreign policy was a soft spot for Palin during the 2008 campaign, this will give her a chance to boost her foreign policy cred (and she'll be able to see Taiwan from her hotel room).
It could also boost her business cred, while she's at it, depending on what her speech focuses on..."Our keynote speakers are notable luminaries who often address topics that go beyond traditional finance such as geopolitics," a CLSA spokeswoman said in a statement. Past luminaries include Bill Clinton, Al Gore, and Alan Greenspan.
This will be Palin's first trip to Asia and her first major international speaking engagement. What will she say? The event will be closed to media, but we'll almost certainly get some kind of word about what she says. Here are six things to watch for:
1. Energy policy. Energy was Palin's pet issue during the 2008 campaign; she has direct experience with it in Alaska, and it was a hot topic last summer. If Palin wants to talk about geopolitics, it would make sense for her to approach it from an energy standpoint. Everything she says about drilling for more oil seems to rile environmentalists, but it'll likely rile them even more if she calls for more drilling while in China, a major polluter.
2. How much foreign policy will she put into the speech? This is a big opportunity for her to prove that she is, in fact, fluent in foreign policy matters, something lots of people doubted in '08. How much has she studied it since then, given that it was a gap in her profile, and an important one given that she may seek the presidency?
3. Foreign policy vs. national security. National security is the main issue for some Republicans. America's world standing and relationships with other countries, to them, is almost the same thing as its national security. Palin could satisfy a chunk of her base by talking more about terrorism than anything else.
4. How will she deal with China? Being in China, one almost has to say something about it. Hillary Clinton has taken some heat for not speaking out against Chinese human rights abuses; will Palin touch it? In a Democratic debate last year, candidates agreed that China is neither friend nor foe, but a strategic competitor. Will Palin lay out a vision of how the U.S. and China should interact?
5. How much will this speech be about 2012? If she uses phrases like "I would do X," it's on.
6. Criticizing America on foreign soil. As Glenn Greenwald noted, Republicans have lit into Democrats who criticize U.S. policy while on foreign soil. Mike Huckabee did so while in Israel this month, with impunity. As someone who disagrees with President Obama about most things, Palin is, by nature, critical of what the U.S. is doing right now...Huckabee wasn't criticized, but Greenwald's complaint may have sown the seeds for a later narrative about foreign-soil criticism if Palin blasts Obama. Plus, the drama always seems to find her. Liberals would probably make a bigger deal out of it if Palin criticized America than if Huckabee did.
And, a special bonus point of interest:
7. How much will she chat up Jon Huntsman, the former GOP governor of Utah who's now serving as Obama's ambassador in Beijing? He was touted as a possible 2012 candidate; if they meet, will they strike up an alliance?
Must have been a really good year for CLSA if they can light money on fire for political has been Sarah Palin.
Does Palin not realize that these high paid investment bankers are setting her up to be a huge joke and they can live on it for years to come ? They want to have some great entertainment at her expense. She will be ridiculed and imitated. Just wait for the Asian Tina Frey `! Nobody outside of the US takes her seriously.
If I were an investor flying to this conference I would be really pissed off paying to see a quitter like Palin. She is the opposite of everything America stands for. There is a related post at http://iamsoannoyed.com/?page_id=588
Obama quit the senate after 2 years, so I guess he's a quitter too. Besides, Tina Fey said she could see Russia, not Palin.
Wrong. She told Charlie Gibson that there was a place in Alaska where you could see Russia, after she was asked for her foreign policy creds. Thus, the joke arose from that statement of Palin's.
And Obama has not quit every single job he's ever held before it was complete, as Palin has.
The smear was quite a bit more noxious than that. Palin said that you can see RU from one part of AK. Tina Fey - speaking on a network that's owned by GE - changed it into seeing RU from her "house". According to a poll that was done, many people thought Palin had said what was actually a Tina Fey invention. Oh, and the fact that GE owns NBC and is receiving billions from the U.S. government has nothing to do with any of that.
Here's a (partial) list of some of the smears against Sarah Palin. See how many you still believe.
Um, yes, actually, Palin did say she could see Russia. Tina Fey just paraphrased her. Also, I don't see how leaving the senate to assume a higher office with a better ability to be effective is "quitting" in the same way resigning your governorship because you didn't feel like doing it anymore is.
Hey carlyt, this is about the tenth place I've seen you post this lame link. Are you really that obsessed with the "quitter" Sarah Palin, or are you just doing it for the sweet George Soros dough?
OK, we got it, your anti-Palin.
I won't even ask why. But don't tell lies. This is certainly not Palin's first trip to Asia. If your going t lie, don't make it so easy to discover that you are in fact a liar.
her last trip was???
Do we have to let her back in to US airspace?
What good news. Taking the stupid on a world tour. Just what America needs at this perilous time of economic instability.
HA, taking stupid would mean taking you. No chance of that loser.
What Will Palin say? Easy:
.
"Me love you longtime".
Is that your wish? Are you queer for her. If so, your out of luck.
Papa Ray - you need new glasses and better medication. *kisses*
Yes, this really will be Palin's very first ever trip to Asia and only her second trip ever outside of the U.S. She never even had a passport until 2007 and she never made a trip outside of the U.S. until this year. Anyone who thinks that she made a trip outside of the U.S. before then should probably quit getting there news from TeamSarah.org.
Oooops, I missed the trip to Kuwait in 2007 where she counted a refueling stop in Ireland as a visit to the Emerald Isle.
"I would be really pissed off paying to see a quitter like Palin."
Good thought... and I hope the rest of your friends do too.
Papa Ray
West Texas
"I would be really pissed off paying to see a quitter like Palin."
Good thought... and I hope the rest of your friends do too.
Papa Ray
West Texas
I guess that Kuwait and Germany to meet with US forces…doesn't count. And don't forget the snowmobile trip that she made into Canada or the boat trip across the bay into Russian waters. Or how about the trips to mainland USA. That certainly would count for this small town hick from Alaska.
Idiots
Papa Ray
West Texas
See, Palinistas from TeamSarah really need to pull out a map and learn something about geography. Germany, Kuwait, Canada and the lower 48 are not in Asia. Hope that helps you. Guess we just need to take her word for being in Russian waters but that really doesn't count as a trip to Asia; its kind of like sticking your big toe in the Gulf of Mexico on the beach in Galveston and then claiming that you've been to Mexico. You do understand the difference, right?
Well, technically Kuwait IS in Asia. It's not in Europe, or Africa, but in the Middle-East. And the Middle-East is considered to be part of South-West Asia. Turkey used to be referred to as "Asia Minor", and Kuwait is further east than that.
But when most people think of Asia, they usually think of the major countries in East Asia. Because of its strategic importance, the Middle-East has almost become its own continent in recent decades.
Be that as it may, I still think that Palin will make a fool of herself.
Well, damn, ts kind of like sticking your big toe in the Gulf of Mexico on the beach in Galveston and then claiming that you've been to Mexico. She did that also along with a trip to Disney World and a stop in Chicago to see where Obama smoked his first blunt. Then of course there is the side trip into the dark west side of New York City, where most will not even venture. And dont forget the adventure she had as a child in Sandpoint, Idaho when she crawled out of the back door of her shack and into a whole new world. OR the adventure she had at the University of Idaho in Moscow, and at North Idaho College in Coeur d'Alene, where she rubbed noses with real liberals for the first time. Reportedly she stayed in the shower for three days to try and get the stench off of her.
Papa Ray
West Texas
Papa Gay,
You don't make any sense, just like your wet-dream, Palin. However even she would find a dimwitted, in-bred hillbilly from Texas to be beneath her. repeating the term liar, liar waaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!
won't make it true. You still haven't told us when she was in Asia, retard.
I think Papa Ray means that Palin got take-out one time. You know those Chinese restaurants don't count as Asian territory, don't you, Papa Ray? Or is West Texas having a slow day?
I've learned the stench doesn't go away till you bury the carcass (in 2010).
Obviously Palin is getting paid big bucks for this "keynote" speech. She most likely has hired a speech writer to cover the topics that she is unfamiliar with - virtually everything outside of Alaska. She's displayed a knack for reading off speeches from a teleprompter. There is no way that Palin is "up to speed" since the election. Complex issues take a long time to learn, digest, analyze and synthesize into opinion. Her deplorable past performance can only be masked by professionally written speeches for her - by someone else.
She'll go and read off the teleprompter, be applauded, answer questions with her usual prepared talking points. Substance - zero. Original thought - zero. Foreign policy knowledge - zero. Most second year international relations students know more than Palin does.
Speaking of talking off a teleprompter...
Would you mind replacing Palin's name with Obama's, Chicago with Alaska, he with she, etc. and read that comment back to yourself?
Smilly124: Have you ever heard Palin off-teleprompter? She can barely speak understandable English. Everyone has noticed how disjointed she is. Obama is able to answer in a coherent manner. His command of subjects far exceeds Palin's. He's also far more educated and it shows. It's not simply a matter of switching Palin with Obama (bizarre) on the teleprompter issue - Palin is clueless and has proven this to be true multiple times.
Aww Rose, you're getting all wee we'ed
Now THAT was funny...
True, I'm not a big Palin fan either but Obama off-teleprompter is full of er, uh, ahh, (pause) um, and, well
Anyway, not a big sticking point for me; more of a smiling point in this debate
Cheers!
I now you are, but what am I? nyaaaaaaaaaa!
Palin's bitch papa gay
Obama smoked his first joint (didn't call them blunts back then) in Hawaii, nimrod. When did you snort your first line of meth, trashboy.
Deliver speech called, "How I Escaped the Death Panel."
I was going to answer "I can see China from my hotel room." But nickzi has the best answer, pants...er, hands down.
I'm sure she got a good education at her fifth community college, country bumpkin CC. Of course, hands on STD education really doesn't count as foriegn policy education, unless it's the "black syph." lol
Those disputing, contradicting, and confuting people are generally unfortunate in their affairs. They get victory, sometimes, but they never get good will, which would be of more use to them. – Benjamin Franklin
Agree/Disagree?
I don't think Ben had ever met a TeaBagger advocating "death panels" cause if he had, he would have chosen victory over good will.
Sarah Palin will certainly impress her audience. She is a great speaker as well as being a very beautiful woman. It is really quite funny to read all the liberal insanity when it comes to the lovely Sarah. I have heard Sarah speak before she was nominated for V/P and she was great, it was an interview about energy. This is one smart lady!!!
Let me guess. She wanted to drill everywhere in Alaska,and build that big pipeline that has not even been approved by Canada yet, but in her mind, is a great accomplishment already. That is the extent of her energy policy, since she cares little for the animals or fish or wilderness areas that will be affected.
I'm amused that all you lib elites think education makes you smarter, but forget that leadership and decisionmaking don't require feedback from a professor. Palin has demonstrated integrity, excellent decision making, bipartisan deal making and yes, leadership. So far, Obama has demonstrated that he's really good at speechmaking, master of the bait and switch. He's also failed to get anything done besides enrage half the electorate so he now can't get anything done. "tone deaf" I believe. I think Palin would have a better shot after eight years, but Obama has made such a mess of things, he will ne gone in 4, and so will the Dem majority in the senate.
hdc77494: Palin's lack of education really shows. Palin is in many ways anti-woman. She sees policy through her highly limiting religious beliefs. This includes denial of sex education awareness for young women in Alaska schools, having women pay for rape test kits, being anti-abortion, opposing embryonic stem cell research, allowing the discussion of creationism in the classroom (admittedly acceptable along with other myths). She also quit her position as Governor - what she was elected to do - instead choosing more lucrative options mid-term. She would be nowhere if McCain hadn't picked her for all the wrong reasons to be VP candidate. She demonstrated her lack of knowledge about very basic facts. She cannot speak off-teleprompter and make any sense - per her own performance.
Sarah Palin is material for the National Enquirer and for the Star, nothing more.
Integrity? Oh, that would be when she accepted the VP slot and THEN told McCain that her underage, unmarried daughter was pregnant. Or when she lied repeatedly during this campaign about her bridge money (which she took) and Obama. And integrity is that last word I'd use for someone who thought it was great to stir up her rallies into gangs out for Obama's death. Yeah, great American she is.
Excellent decision making? Hm, would that be when she had the hockey facility built in Wasilla that is still not paid for, and had the same guys build her mansion, you know, Todd's buddies who accepted no money? Or when she spoke glowingly to the Alaska Secessionists in 2008?
Leadership? Hm, I read that she delegated most responsibility to underlings, usually her high school friends who had even less capacity to do the job than she does.
Bipartisanship? You must be referring to Alaska, where Dems went right along with her on the socialistic oil company taxation that gave every resident of Alaska that big check the year she was so popular. Once she was tapped by McCain, I saw zero effort by her to even make friends with anyone who was not a "real American." Did you?
As for our President, I am quite happy that he avoided a Depression, is talking about health care reform (unlike Republicans who don't want any change in their nice arrangement with insurers) has ended torture, ended illegal CIA actions, brought some respect back to the USA, and is trying hard to work with recalcitrant Republicans who would like nothing better than to bring down this administration, and the h*** with the country. I do not see a big backlash happening next year. If Palin is your 'great white hope," good luck with that!
I have no doubt when Sarah Palin gives her speech in Hong Kong at the CLSA Investor's Forum she will be wildly accepted. They would not have invited her to begin with and laid out whatever her fee may be if they don't see her as a serious politician on the American scene.
With that I have no doubt that someone in the Associated Press will find whatever tidbit they can come up with, spin it and then LIE about it so the American LEFT/MSM can run with it in LOCK STEP. Then the bloggers will repeat it often enough that the average uninformed liberal, which seems to be the majority, believes it is the truth. Examples:
"She can see Russia from her house." She NEVER said it.
"Death Panels" are in the Congressional Bill. She NEVER said it.
She shopped in Neimann Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman. It NEVER happened.
She doesn't know Africa is a continent. An absurd LIE on it's face.
She was oblivious to the turkey being slaughtered behind her during an interview. No she was NOT.
Her resignation speech was incoherent. NOT if you actually listened to what she said.
I know one subject she will bring up that this administration continues to ignore. The nations of the free world in it's race to adopt Cap & Trade standards believe that Fossil Fuels are poisonous to our world. Doing so these nations, including ours, have left us vulnerable to nations that clearly do not have the same interests as we do. It was outrageous that Britain released a Syrian Terrorists that killed hundreds of innocent people for a billion dollar oil contract, because Liberal politician's in both our nations have spoken so poorly of our own BIG OIL Companies that they no longer drill for oil in any abundance that we could support ourselves. Clearly she'll speak as she has that all energy sources are necessary for a demanding future, but we can not disarm ourselves and lead us vulnerable to our enemies. The Chinese understand this quite well. They believe being led by Obama that we have lost our minds. They are leading like reckless children and they want to know from Sarah Palin if she offers something more serious. Who knows maybe the money they directed toward Bill Clinton would be redirected toward her.
Dmac: It doesn't really matter what she said about seeing Russia, or where she shopped or didn't shop. He lies about Obama during the election were far worse. I tried to listen to her resignation speech and it was still incoherent.
Speaking of energy resources, China is making deals with the barbaric generals of Burma (Myanmar) and depleting that country's oil and natural gas reserves to build China's economy. The democratic movement in Burma has been brutally squashed by the generals and supported by China. Now Palin is going there to address the Chinese about energy - What a hypocritical joke.
Aside from China's interest in Burma, Palin should read up on China's role in Sudan re: energy - does Darfur genocide ring a bell? I'll mail her a map if she can't find the place. No, I don't really care where she shopped.
She is speaking to a private group made up of investors and executives from many different Asian countries. She is not speaking to or for the Chinese government.
You're the one spreading lies. So far everything she said about Obama has proved true.
Further DMac: You stated "but we cannot disarm ourselves and lead us vulnerable to our enemies. The Chinese understand this quite well. . .they want to know (if) Palin offers something more serious". The Chinese are the supporters of some of the world's most brutal dictatorships due to their need for enegry at any inhumane cost. It's ridiculous to think the they are somehow waiting for Palin's input.
In fact, despite Burma's democratic leaders asking for help against the regime, no one is coming to their aid - in great part due to Chinese influence and their reaping of energy resources. Let's get off this NAIVE ride now. The international situation with energy is far more complex than Palin's limited Alaskan experience can comprehend.
SusanMG13,
Sarah Palin called for the Death of Obama??? You really believe that??
I don't know when she told McCain about Bristol's pregnancies, because I was not there and neither were you. However, it was not McCain's business or anyone else's. You liberals think that people lives are related to a politician's policies, they are not. Is Obama not a Christian and yet he is Okay with abortion?
Palin did not lie about the Bridge To Nowhere. As a civilian she held up a T-Shirt that was making fun of the zip code that was "Nowhere". Senators not Palin brought the money from Washington for the bridge. She said "Thanks". Name me a governor who would not. But "No Thanks" for the bridge.
The hockey facility was raise through a BOND as all high priced items are. As far a delegating responiblities, that is what leadership is. She was not just the Mayor of Wasilla, she was voted as the Director of Mayors in the state by fellow mayors.
As far as the campaign, she was asked by the McCain Campaign to build up McCain and point out the faults of Obama. McCain did not want to be seen bragging about himself and did not want to be seen being negative about Obama. She got the job and performed her job so successfully that she gained a national following that continues today. A campaign is not the time to show bipartianship, but clearly her governing has.
By the way are you enjoying Obama's bipartianship. Your last paragraph is just living in liberal land. So how is Obama's economy working out for you?
ROSE, your unfamiliarity with Sarah Palin is glaring. She has written many speeches, she has written many laws. You can Google them if your interested, but somehow I know you won't, because it won't fit your narrative of her. You can continue to believe the LEFT/MSM who has a vested interest in trying to discredit her, but probably you do as well.
Dmac: The issue isn't my unfamiliarity with Palin. It's Palin's unfamiliarity with many, many important issues. I'm not the one going to Hong Kong to give a speech. Her approach towards women's issues is appalling. If she wants to deny disabled people a chance at better health by opposing stem cell research because she believes the soul enters the zygote at conception and promotes that in law, (choosing MYTH over science in medical and legal matters) - well that's says everything to me.
Seriously, why are you devoting bandwidth to this story?
The only people who think Sarah Palin is going to say anything interesting have already friended her on Facebook.
The Chinese and everyone else would be coming to us for their energy needs if we didn't surrender our energy policy to the LEFT forty years ago. Human Rights are a joke all over the planet and it angers me that we spend our time (mostly in our press) thinking about it. We have been in a global war for survival for sixty years. We became the single most powerful force on the planet and are in the process of surrendering this because we are concerned how others in this world think about us. I could care less. Especially the Islamic World Obama has thrown himself at. Sarah Palin should not waste her time speaking about Human Rights. She should tell them what they want to hear and that is their concerned about having an adult in the White House instead of this reckless child living out his ideological fantasy.
Rose, you keep yourself blind if you continue to believe she will have no input: Internationally or our own national politics. As I stated to Sue above. You can live with the narrative that she is TABLOID news only, but you will be reading her WORDS on all issues in the future.
Yes, DMac humans rights are a joke. What Bush did to the US is a joke. How American standing in the world dropped due to his unjustified wars is a joke. Palin won't be discussing human rights because she won't be collecting her check from the Chinese if she does. You have no idea how much damage Bush has done with the Muslim world and the position that has put Obama in. Any person worth having input must have strong expertise before being considered. Palin doesn't. You can glorify her all you want, she's still a huge joke to millions of people.
I'm not blind, I've been to Burma and seen the devastating results of Chinese motivations in supporting the regime there for energy. Human rights and its relation to energy is not a joke, except in your books.
Dear Chris Good:
You poor poor dear sweet boy.
Have you learned nothing in the last year.
None of your "things to watch out for" will be even remotely addressed my Sarah Palin because Sarah Palin doesn't know-- and I mean very very literally ! ! ! --- anything about any of these subjects and could not even define most of the terms used in your article to describe these subjects i.e. "geepolitics" etc.
Mr. Good, Palin is an imposter, literally, like the fellow in the movie, "Catch Me If You Can." She did NOT purposefully, like that fellow, set out to be an imposter, she was just at the right place, at the right time, and fortune cooperated, allowing Palin's narcissistic persona to come off as "confidence."
WHY do you think she NEVER EVER allows media, NEVER EVER allows follow up questions, NEVER EVER appears on Meet The Press etc????
Somehow the "receptionist" was mistaken for the CEO and she has been bluffing people ever since. ONE REASON SHE HAS GOTTEN AWAY WITH IT IS BECAUSE JOURNALIST AND OTHER MEDIA HAVE MISTAKENLY ASSUMED SHE WAS A VALID PERSON.
She is not. Never has been. Never will be.
I live in Anchorage, and like 99% of the posters who commented on the Anchorage Daily News article that she would be speaking in China, we are laughing. Laughing because now that she is THANK GOD no longer our governor, our sense of humor is replacing our anger.
This woman was NOT available to our legislatoars, did NOT show up at legislative meeting, discussed only briefly issues that she had been advised about and would not discuss at all ANY issue (and that was most) that she knew nothing about.
Sarah Palin is a real person like a card board cutout in front of a 1950's movie theatre is a "real person." Nothing but facade. NOTHING but facade.
Anything that takes her out of Alaska, and even better, out of the U.S. is fine with us Alaskans.
Have at her fellas. She's all yours LOL LOL
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Well said. Palin's actually been hired to be comic relief at the Hong Kong forum. Her attempts at "gee-o-political" discussions will confirm this. The receptionist truly ran off with the CEO's crib notes. No wonder she quit on those who voted for her in Alaska, too much money being offered elsewhere for not fulfilling her position as Governor. Integrity? - I think not!
Rose you have offered more informative points than Sarah Palin did during her entire VP run.
So let's do a quick litmus test here:
President Obama has inherited the worse economic condition from an eight year failed Bush regime, he rightfully shut down Guantanamo Bay (a toucher chamber), restored international respect to the U.S., will implement a governmental healthcare **OPTION** for every American, implemented a climate initiative where the primary focus is to eliminate green house gas emission, gas prices failed organically because Bush cronies no-longer have a cover in D.Chenney and the President continues to offer solutions towards the shrinking dollar and the enconomy.
Ex-Governor Palin - Attended 5 post secondary schools and 7 years to complete an undergrad , quit as Govenor during the worse economic crisis, the most un-qualified individual in human history to ever be selected as a VP candidate, can't retain information...just damn dumb!
Rose you have offered more informative points than Sarah Palin did during her entire VP run.
So let's do a quick litmus test here:
President Obama has inherited the worse economic condition from an eight year failed Bush regime, he rightfully shut down Guantanamo Bay (a toucher chamber), restored international respect to the U.S., will implement a governmental healthcare **OPTION** for every American, implemented a climate initiative where the primary focus is to eliminate green house gas emission, gas prices failed organically because Bush cronies no-longer have a cover in D.Chenney and the President continues to offer solutions towards the shrinking dollar and the enconomy.
Ex-Governor Palin - Attended 5 post secondary schools and 7 years to complete an undergrad , quit as Govenor during the worse economic crisis, the most un-qualified individual in human history to ever be selected as a VP candidate, can't retain information...just damn dumb!
The Truth: Thanks. Being informative means having some sense of awareness. Palin lacks this. Aside from the lack of awareness, she is very myopic in her views - most likely due to her lack of education. She also bluffs her way through many situations, those who catch her in this are called liberal. Those who cannot see past her transparent and ill-informed pretense promote her with vigor - immersed in a former vision of a US that no longer exists. Global realities cast aside for American-pie. Blind to the past Bush Administration's great wrong doings. Blaming Obama every step of the way instead.
Palin is about making money for herself at this point. As she said to Katie Couric during an election interview when asked about Supreme Court rulings: "I'll have to check and bring 'em to ya". Couldn't name a single case, yet she was discussing rulings. This is the epitome of her so-called political existence. Bluff with no substance.
It's strange that The Atlantic Politics Channel knows something her aides don't. They say that she has over 1000 different speaking offers but has made no commitments yet. She will be making decisions this week.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0809/26604.html
Is this another one of those attempts to show her as a dingbat who can't keep appointments straight? I'll bet it is. The fact is that no announcements about speaking engagements have been made yet. Atlantic Politics...quit making things up.