20 November,2010 07:55 AM IST | | Agencies
The Republican praises American Idol judge for telling the truth to talentless contestants in excerpts of her new book leaked on the internet.
Sarah Palin has revealed a previously unknown admiration for Simon Cowell as a political role model in excerpts of her new book.
Palin's latest work is largely a treatise on politics, family and religion but takes a detour to offer a cultural critique of American Idol.
Cowell, Palin writes in America by Heart: Reflections on Family, Faith, and Flag, is "almost alone in his willingness to tell hard truths" to contestants deluded in their belief that they are talented singers.
In one of several scanned pages of the book on a website, Palin says, "No one they've encountered in their lives from their parents to their teachers to their president wanted them to feel bad by hearing the truth.
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So they grew up convinced they could become big pop stars like Michael Jackson." She does not expand on what the president's role in this should be.
The argument concludes: "Cowell can be a little harsh at times, but he upholds the highest standards, and something in us recognises and responds to that."
The book is the latest in a publicity campaign by the former Alaska governor which many believe will
culminate in an attempt to secure the Republican presidential nomination for 2012.
