Free Republic

Former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) said Monday that former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin would have “some explaining” to do if she seeks the White House. “She's done a lot to draw attention to herself that's positive,” Santorum during an interview on ABC’s “Top Line,” adding that the former Republican vice presidential nominee has “done some things that, you know, certainly are going to cause her to have to do some explaining if she runs for president.” “But right now I think she's on a roll, she's having a good time, she's having an impact,” he continued. “If you're sitting here...

President Obama’s job approval rating has hit a new low, even as Sarah Palin’s popularity appears to be on the rebound, new polls show. The latest USA Today/Gallup Poll puts Mr. Obama’s job approval rating at 47 percent, a new low for his 10-month administration. His job approval ratings rose briefly after last week’s announcement of a new policy in Afghanistan but then fell back in Dec. 4-6 polling, Gallup said. Gallup reported finding significant opposition both to Obama’s policies on healthcare reform and on Afghanistan. Strong partisan feelings The partisan split is deep and wide in Obama’s approval ratings....

Former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) gave his clearest words to date that he is seriously mulling a 2012 presidential bid. "Absolutely — absolutely taking a look," he told ABC's "Top Line" webcast Monday afternoon. "But look — I'm doing it in the context that right now, there's very important matters, and I want to weigh into those matters as to what the Republican Party stands for in 2010," Santorum added. The former Pennsylvania senator has previously exhibited an interest in running in 2012. However, he has, to this point, hedged his language quite a bit, allowing his travel plans to...

In a hypothetical three-way contest, the latest Rasmussen national telephone survey found Democrats would attract 36 percent of the vote. A Tea Party candidate, if there were one, would attract 23 percent of the voters, while just 18 percent would be inclined to vote for a Republican candidate. However, 22 percent of the voters are undecided. In the survey of 1,000 likely voters, respondents were asked to assume that the Tea Party movement organized as a new political party. The survey was conducted Dec. 4-5. However, in a standard two-way race, Republicans hold a modest lead over Democrats. “It appears...

FAIRFAX, Va. -- Neither the first snow of the winter nor the slushy, untreated roads could deter hundreds of fans from coming here Saturday morning to get a copy of “Going Rogue” signed by it’s author, Sarah Palin. The BJ’s in the Fair Lakes Shopping Center welcomed hundreds of people to line up and wait for hours to meet the former Alaska governor and vice-presidential candidate. People came prepared to withstand the elements. Winter coats, umbrellas and most importantly plastic shopping bags, protected their books from the chunky, wet falling flakes. Some cuddled an armful of books for their favorite...

Two weeks ago, an Iowa poll showed Palin trailing Huckabee by just two points, 70% to 68%, in favorability ratings among Iowa Republicans. She easily outdistanced Mitt Romney, who garnered only 58 percent. Despite a media onslaught attempting to spin the Clemmons story, Huckabee's credibility has taken a serious hit. Even those who boosted him to victory in the 2008 Iowa Caucus are questioning the former Arkansas governor's judgment.

She's back! In fact, Sarah Palin, the former Alaska governor who became a sassy sudden superstar when she ran for the United States vice-presidency last year, is on a whole new campaign. Palin has written an autobiography, begun a cross-country book tour and secured a spot on virtually every newsstand and TV set in sight. The question is why? "My ambition, if you will, my desire is to help our country in whatever role that may be, and I cannot predict what that will be," she told interviewer Barbara Walters. Palin's political career has moved so quickly that it's easy...

The former Republican vice-presidential candidate greeted hundreds of admirers in Sioux City on Sunday. Iowa's caucuses traditionally kick off the presidential nominating season, and Republican strategists saw the stop in Mrs Palin's national book-signing tour as a signal not to be missed. Palin says US should find God "No politician comes to Iowa by accident,"said Tim Albrecht, a Republican strategist. "Every politician knows the implications when they set foot here." As with other stops on Mrs Palin's book tour, the event was tightly controlled with photographers allowed in briefly and reporters banned. She arrived about 90 minutes late and then...

RALEIGH, N.C. — Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin had dinner the other day with the Rev. Billy Graham, which is sort of the Southern equivalent of having an audience with the Protestant pope. Palin's dinner with Graham, not her book signing at Fort Bragg, was her significant event in North Carolina. For decades, presidents and presidential wannabes have sought the blessing of the nation's best-known preacher. EarthShare The evangelist, 91, doesn't endorse any more, having been burned by his close relationship with President Richard Nixon, who was Graham's idea of a Christian statesman until Graham listened to the Watergate tapes....

RALEIGH, N.C. — Sarah Palin says the United States should rededicate itself to seeking God’s will, arguing a humble spirit could help leaders get more answers on issues such as health care, energy and national security. The 2008 Republican candidate for vice president said in a video released Friday by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association it’s important for leaders to acknowledge they don’t have all the answers. She said the country will be safer, more prosperous and healthier if the nation seeks God’s protection and blessing.(continued)

I just saw Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) on FOX News discussing the Obamacare bill. He is a terrific voice. He's RIGHT on the issues. Looks great on TV. In other words would make a great GOP candidate in 2012. A winning conservative voice who sells our issues beautifully.

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Saturday shows that 26% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty percent (40%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -14 (see trends). .....

"I believe our country has been touched by God," said Palin, "because when we formed our union, leaders back then dedicated our country to God and said that we would seek His will for our great nation. "I think if we could get back to that humbleness," she added, "with that kind of contrite spirit, I think that we would be able to be provided more of the answers to so many of the great challenges that we’re facing." Gov. Palin noted that it takes Godly counsel, prayer and "a collective humble heart of a nation seeking God’s hand of...

Here is a list of 2012 candidates. Generally, I am dwelling on the negatives as this is what is going to limit them in their ability to win but will mention any unique positives. Please share your thoughts on these or any other potential candidates. Romney - Romneycare is an albatross. He is a Mormon which impacts appeal. Is popular in Michigan due to his father. Sometimes comes across like a used car salesman. Is probably more conservative than his record and gets a bad rap due to his need to make compromises to get elected in The People's Republic....

Speaking to the conservative talker Rusty Humphries today, Sarah Palin left the door open to speculation about President Obama's birth certificate. "Would you make the birth certificate an issue if you ran?" she was asked (around 9 minutes into the video above). "I think the public rightfully is still making it an issue. I don't have a problem with that. I don't know if I would have to bother to make it an issue, because I think that members of the electorate still want answers," she replied. "Do you think it's a fair question to be looking at?" Humphries persisted....

As Sarah Palin begins what at least appears to be a testing—if not a parting—of the waters in anticipation of a potential presidential run, she has waded into the murky stuff that is the Israel/Palestine quagmire. One of the stops on her “Going Rogue” book promotional tour last week was ABC’s “Good Morning America.” Noting that the Obama administration doesn’t want Israel to build any more settlements on what it considers Palestinian territory, interviewer Barbara Walters asked the former Alaska governor/Vice Presidential candidate for her view. Palin’s response. The politician responded, “I disagree with the Obama administration on that. I...

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), a darling of the Tea Party crowd, credited that movement with blocking Democratic health care reform efforts and predicted the conservative activists behind the movement could ultimately thwart the passage of that bill and others.. "The only reason we don't have national health care right now is you - is the people outside of Washington," DeMint told a gathering of Tea Party activists gathered Wednesday night in Washington for the premiere of a documentary about the movement. "I think we do have a shot at stopping this thing," he said of the health care reform bill...

There was a lot of anticipation leading up to Palin's speech. Many people--many women-- told KSPR seeing Sarah Palin in the flesh and off of TV is what they needed in order to see the big picture. A long line of car lights lit up the night sky. A slow line on a bitterly cold evening couldn't keep away five thousand people. "I really want to hear her speak," said College of the Ozarks freshman Katie Petersen. It's no surprise that those who love her came to the event. "I've been a big Sarah Palin fan ever since she started...

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin may or may not be a viable 2012 presidential candidate, but the bowling industry is probably hoping she is at least a better bowler than President Obama. Palin will be giving the keynote address at the International Bowl Expo 2010 in June of next year, the Bowling Proprietors' Association of America (BPAA) announced today. Dubbed the bowling industry's "premier international convention," the expo will take place between June 27 and July 1 at the Las Vegas Hilton and Las Vegas Convention Center. Palin's keynote speech is slated for the morning of June 30. The BPAA...

RomneyCare is big government forcing its will on a formerly free people. It's anti-American, anti-free-markets, anti-Liberty and unconstitutional. Listen to the Reagan tape. RomneyCare is the socialism he's talking about. RomneyCare = ObamaCare. No difference. Government is not the solution, it IS the problem!! Free Republic will not support gun grabbing, abortion pushing, gay rights pushing, big government socialist RINOS!! In fact we will actively campaign AGAINST them!! Free Republic is a pro-Life & Liberty small government conservative site for pro-Life & Liberty small government conservatives!! Take a freaking hike if you don't like it. RINOS be damned!! Hope this...

Some people in the Lower 48 might be saying," what is with you people up in Alaska?" You might be wondering why people in our State would kick Sarah Palin around like she's the enemy? Also, you must think some of us are crazy to file 20 Ethics complaints on our former Governor that were all dismissed? If you ask me, these people who filed the complaints are crazy! Prior to Sarah running with McCain, her popularity in Alaska had peaked at about 92%. Sarah had bi-partisan support on Oil and Gas legislation; she signed into law new ethics laws....

She's a God, Country, Family, small government, no nonsense traditional Christian conservative. She's an outsider not corrupted by business as usual Washington politics. They hate her. She's pro defense. An army mom. She's pro-gun. Hunts, fishes and enjoys the great outdoors. She eats corrupt office holders and wasteful spenders for lunch. She drills for oil. She's a fighter. A winner! She's the exact opposite to Obama in all respects. She's an American patriot! In short, she's exactly what we the grassroots tea party patriots are looking for.

While Sarah Palin is certainly making waves with her own best-selling book “Going Rogue,” the former governor and vice presidential candidate is also in the spotlight with a cameo appearance as a heroine in the recently released children’s book “Help! Mom! Radicals Are Ruining My Country!”In the book written by Katharine DeBrecht, “Governor Sarah” (a character based on Palin) attempts to help two young boys hold onto their dream of a swing-set business which is struggling as a result of high taxes, heavy regulations and 246 czars. “I am trying to let all Americans know that these radicals are killing...

Jeb Bush is unique in that he is both unknown and known. He can certainly win a GOP primary, and can raise the money to compete with frontrunners Palin and Romney. I think Jeb will be getting more involved over the next several months, starting with the Florida senate primary. I also think Cheney is a Jeb proxy, and that his attacks are meant to undermine Obama while moving the country back into the Bush/Cheney policy direction, awaiting a new leader to take the torch from the former Vice President. Remember, Cheney earlier this year, unprompted, suggested he would support...

Those who are moderate to conservative are increasingly frustrated with a lack of representation in government. The former Alaskan governor and GOP vice presidential candidate was in Richland on Sunday autographing her new book, "Going Rogue." The event at Hastings drew an estimated 2,300 people. Some waited 26 hours for her signature on the book. About 300 people were turned away when the three-hour session (scheduled for two hours) was ended. Yet, even those folks who didn't get her autograph remained enamored with Palin. "She stands for everything that America was built on," Stacey Coordes of Pasco told a Seattle...

The political force our new, and frequently loud, “silent majority” has unleashed in 2009 will determine America's future in 2010 and 2012. It should not be underestimated. In November 1969 President Nixon addressed the American people from the Oval Office about his plans to end the Vietnam War. Most of the speech was dedicated to that topic but towards the end he uttered this one line that has defined the speech ever since. “And so tonight to you, the great silent majority of my fellow Americans, I ask for your support.” The reaction to the speech was extremely positive as...

There are allegations from many conservatives that Sarah Palin is not being treated fairly by the media. No matter who you are or your political affiliation, you cannot deny the fact that Sarah Palin is electrifying. However, in her short time in the limelight, this up-and-coming Republican star has had more drama than the "Desperate Housewives" season finale (my wife makes me watch it). The people of Alaska elected Sarah Palin as their governor after her humble beginnings. There is a lot to be said about being born in Idaho to a school secretary and science teacher. It can't get...

So many people like Sarah Palin because she sees the world through the eyes of the average person. For that reason, she will never be chosen as a presidential candidate for the Republican Party. She was chosen for the McCain ticket because they needed her personality and McCain wanted her. I don't know if she could be a good president. Not that she wouldn't -- I just don't know. But she'll never get the chance by trying to be a Republican. Philosophically she's an Independent. I believe that's her only chance in the national polls. Both major parties are now...

Obama is one-and-done, says source...

Cook Political Report House analyst David Wasserman notes a telling indicator that the political environment in 2010 is shaping up to be favorable for Republicans: Several Democratic candidates have decided to drop out of tough races, while Democratic members of Congress who rarely face serious challenges are finding themselves with their toughest re-elections in years. Over the last week, three Democratic candidates touted by national strategists abruptly withdrew from their races: Solano Beach Councilman Dave Roberts (running against California Rep. Brian Bilbray), state Rep. Todd Book (running against Ohio Rep. Jean Schmidt) and Tennessee Commerce and Insurance Commissioner Paula Flowers...

I think we should be taking the possibility of a Dick Cheney bid for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012 more seriously, for a run would be good for the Republicans and good for the country. (The sound you just heard in the background was liberal readers spitting out their lattes.) Why? Because Cheney is a man of conviction, has a record on which he can be judged, and whatever the result, there could be no ambiguity about the will of the people. The best way to settle arguments is by having what we used to call full and frank...

How much is Sarah Palin's new book tailored to evangelical Christian readers? Her writing partner for Going Rogue, Lynn Vincent, is a longtime editor at World magazine, which practices "biblical worldview journalism." Though the book is published by an imprint of HarperCollins, it is being distributed to Christian booksellers by Zondervan, the world's leading publisher of Bibles. And Going Rogue brims with testimony about Palin's Christian faith. Its opening pages relate how Palin's daughter Piper literally became the poster child for the antiabortion group Alaska Right to Life by posing for a picture with "pretend angel wings fastened to her...

A generation ago liberals taught me to believe that Ronald Reagan was an extremist and a lightweight. Then I went to a Republican caucus in 1980 as a Bush supporter and met the Reagan supporters. I realized that they were the little people, mechanics, technicians, churchgoers, folks that used to be Democrats. Now liberals are teaching us all to believe that Sarah Palin is a flake and a lightweight. As the old saying goes: fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. The critics are right about Sarah Palin's memoir, Going Rogue. There's a lot of...

If Sarah Palin runs for president in 2012, can she win? Pundits have been buzzing about the possibility since the release of her book two weeks ago, and the itinerary and politics of her book tour suggest she hasn't ruled out a bid. Palin has said she "cannot predict what doors will be open in 2012," but can recent polling provide an answer? Can Palin Win a General Election? Ultimately, the potential for any Republican in 2012 will depend on voters' future assessments of President Obama. But even if he is vulnerable, Palin will face some huge obstacles, as the...

TEMPE, Ariz. - People have already started lining up outside a Tempe Costco for Tuesday's visit from Sarah Palin. The former Republican vice-presidential candidate will be at the store from noon to 2 p.m. to sign copies of her book "Going Rogue." Twenty-two-year-old Drew Sweatte drove from Palm Springs for the chance to meet Palin. "I'd drive even further and wait in even colder weather," he said. "I've got my kangaroo skin coat in the car and I'm ready to go." There's no guarantee Sweatte will be able to get a photo taken with her, but he hopes as a...

Yglesias opines: "I know some liberals who are excited about the prospect of a joke candidate like Sarah Palin or Dick Cheney getting the GOP nomination in 2012. Not me. The basic fact of the matter is that power tends to alternate between the two political parties. Ultimately, the nation’s interests require both parties to nominate the best people possible. So I hope the Republicans find someone who’s very smart and compelling and does an excellent job of identifying and explaining the flaws in Barack Obama’s approach. Cheney couldn’t possibly win a presidential election...unless somehow he could, in which case...

While 170 or more voters might have been fooled in the 2009 Values Voter Summit straw poll, it wasn’t Mike Huckabee who came out on top in a recent Washington Post poll of the leader who best reflects GOP values. From CNN: According to the poll, 18 percent of Republicans and independents who lean towards the GOP say the former Alaska governor best reflects core GOP values. In second place, 5 points back, is Sen. John McCain of Arizona, last year’s Republican presidential nominee, followed by former Arkansas governor and 2008 presidential candidate Mike Huckabee at 7 percent, former Massachusetts...

If former CNN anchorman Lou Dobbs decides to make an independent bid for president in 2012, he will probably find the political climate as hospitable for an insurgent run — if not more so — as it was in 1992, when Ross Perot captured a fifth of the popular vote. (It was the best showing by a third-party candidate since Bull Moose Teddy Roosevelt finished second with 27.4 percent of the vote in 1912.) The dreary economic New Normal that is the aftermath of the Great Recession has created a huge political opening for Dobbs or Michael Bloomberg or Sarah...

In his new film "2012", director Roland Emmerich reinforces a double standard by depicting the destruction of numerous Christian landmarks while sparing Islamic ones. The Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican and The Sistine Chapel in the Vatican all meet untimely fates in Emmerich's latest end-of-the-world extravangza. However, The Kaaba, the cube-shaped structure that is the focus of prayers and the site of the most important pilgrimage in Islam, was spared. And this double standard was not, it turns out, an oversight or mistake. A deliberate act In an interview with Sci-Fi...

A nice article stating that Sarah is signaling a Run in 2012! Says her chances are better than most others.

2008 Iowa Caucus winner and current GOP poll leader Mike Huckabee says it is "less than likely" he will run for President in 2012. Huckabee was a guest on "Fox News Sunday" with Chris Wallace when he made the remarks.

Mike Huckabee, the former Republican governor from Arkansas who has his own Fox show told Chris Wallace on "Fox News Sunday" that a 2012 presidential bid is "less than likely" and depends on whether Roger Ailes, the head of Fox News, keeps liking his show. "The reason I wouldn’t is that this Fox gig I’ve got is really wonderful, " he said, talking about whether or not he would get in the race given that he is a GOP front runner according to most recent polls. "Jumping into the pool, you gottta make sure there is some water in it."...

With the approval numbers for President Barack Obama continuing to drop and the numbers for former Republican Vice Presidential candidate experiencing an upward trend, both political players have shown a lot can happen in a year. This time last year, Mrs. Palin was the scourge of the media and political establishment. Berated by the likes of Chris Matthews and Keith Olbermann, mocked by Saturday Night Live and abandoned by her running mate, Mrs. Palin was left to fend for herself in a landscape that claimed the careers of many conservatives before her. Mr. Obama, on the other hand, was the...

Sarah Palin 2012 Presidential Betting Odds: Former Vice Presidential candidate, Sarah Palin is making headlines once again this week with the release of her already best-selling memoir “Going Rogue”, as well as much speculation that she might be the next G.O.P entrant in the upcoming 2012 Presidential Betting Odds elections. With the current state the country finds itself in and with so many Americans in disapproval of the job current President Barack H. Obama is doing, the Sarah Palin camp might be gearing up to give the leftist a run for their money in the 2012 Presidential Betting Odds. But...

Why do so many people love Sarah Palin? Why do so many hate her? I cannot recall a politician in recent memory that has been both so loved and so reviled for no discernible reason. When Palin was announced as John McCain’s running mate on the 2008 Republican presidential ticket many conservatives were intrigued, including me. It was reported that the Alaskan governor had been a member of Pat Buchanan’s “Buchanan Brigades” during the commentator’s presidential bids in 1996 and 2000 and that Palin had ties to the secessionist Alaskan Independence Party. An “America First” states rights’ radical on a...

A new Rasmussen survey shows that President Barack Obama is tied with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in a hypothetical 2012 matchup. The poll of 800 likely voters also suggests that a third-party presidential candidate - in this case former CNN broadcaster Lou Dobbs - would help Obama.

Cannot be posted due to copyright issues: http://www.detnews.com/article/20091126/OPINION03/911260330/Pay-attention-to-Palin-s-backers

“I think that she’s not anywhere near the person that sometimes she’s been portrayed to be –- as completely lacking of any intellectual capacity.” –Mike Huckabee, subtly putting the stress on the word “completely.” Is this emerging as the new party line on Palin among other top Republican politicians? Last week, Haley Barbour told Chris Matthews that Palin is “a lot brighter than she gets credit for,” and on yesterday’s @katiecouric, Fox News Channel host and former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee trotted out a similar-sounding soundbite. Huckabee did go with the ‘Palin has more executive experience than Obama’ line, which...

CINCINNATI — Each of the stores that Sarah Palin has lined up for her book tour has just three hours with the former Alaska governor in-store to try to move the minimum of 2,500 copies of “Going Rogue” publisher HarperCollins mandates a store must order in exchange for her visit. So far, that hasn’t proved difficult. With 29 announced stops, that adds up to at least 72,500 copies of her book — just from the stores she’s visiting. During the tour, Palin is not being staffed by Meg Stapleton, her longtime trusted right hand. Instead, she’s accompanied everywhere by Tina...

A new poll shows that former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney now has a less than 50 percent favorability rating among Republican voters. Public Policy Polling has released its monthly 2012 survey, which finds that while 65 percent of Republicans have a favorable opinion of former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee and 75 percent have a favorable opinion of former GOP vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin, only 48 percent view Mitt Romney favorably. Romney's popularity has fallen 19 points in the poll since May. Tom Jensen of Public Policy Polling says the healthcare plan that Romney passed in Massachusetts when he was governor...