SEPTEMBER 3, 2008 --

Sarah Palin, LPR thinks, comes right out of a Frank Capra movie. She is Mr. Deeds punching out snotty reporters. She is John Doe fighting plutocratic special interests. She is Mr. Smith fighting corruption in the Senate.

She is George Bailey fighting the predatory banker in "It's a Wonderful Life."

Capra's populist movies were derided as "Capracorn." And yet, those movies showed how our flame of liberty is kept lighted by ordinary Americans. The proof that Capra was optimistic about the commitment of America to liberty is in his populist films:"Mr. Deeds Goes to Town" [the original], "Meet John Doe," "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," and "It's a Wonderful Life."

Mr. Deeds, John Doe, Mr. Smith and George Bailey each fought entrenched interests who opposed the common good, seeking, instead, the "ambitious sacrifice of the many to the aggrandizement of the few." (From Federalist No. 57.)

Their fight seemed a one-sided struggle. The people were turned against them by the establishment media. They became discouraged. At times they stood alone -- and yet, being true to the Spirit of America, these American prototypes ultimately prevailed.

Who is Sarah Palin? She is, of course, of course a Frank Capra hero, reason enough for the media to look down at her. And reason enough to believe her chances of prevailing over her detractors are good

LPR has no doubt that Frank Capra, from his celestial perch, is rooting for Sara Palin -- and he is probably joined by Abigail Adams and the Framers of the Constitution.