Posted on 03/28/2010 6:05:44 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
One of my very favorite bloggers on the Right - Powerline's John Hinderaker - wrote a post earlier today entitled 'Biker Girl Campaigns for McCain'. By Hinderaker's own admission, his sole motivation for writing it was to show a perfectly gratuitous photograph of Palin looking great in a black leather biker jacket on the campaign trail.
No complaints there.
However, I have a bone to pick with the rest of John's comments:
Sarah Palin was in Arizona yesterday, campaigning for John McCain in his primary contest against former Congressman J.D. Hayworth. This was an appropriate demonstration of loyalty toward the man who opened the door to fame and fortune for her. Beyond that, Palin's support McCain is right on the merits and displays her almost unerring judgment in political matters.
Like most conservatives, I sometimes disagree with John McCain, and on those occasions he can be an infuriating opponent. But he describes himself as a "proud conservative," and that's how he votes a large majority of the time. Moreover, while he is an imperfect Republican, McCain is a great man. He is a warrior, one of the staunchest characters ever to participate in politics, a modern-day Andrew Jackson. We need him. If the Republican tent ever grows too small to contain the likes of John McCain, we are in deep trouble.
Moreover, McCain was the party's Presidential nominee just two years ago. The last thing Republicans need to do is to start eating our own, like the Democrats when they drummed Vice-Presidential nominee Joe Lieberman out of their party.
Now, Sarah Palin endorsing John McCain per se is understandable. I still don't like it one bit, but I'll cut her some slack. Remember, she threw in with McCain before conservative J.D. Hayworth entered the race. And with McCain expecting only token opposition from the Democrats in the general election, he was for a time the most conservative man in Arizona's U.S. Senate race - if only technically and by default.
BUT...J.D. Hayworth is in the race now. He is a far preferable choice than McCain for conservatives on many issues, particularly immigration. Meanwhile, Palin has transitioned from merely supporting McCain (presumably out of a sense of loyalty) to actively stumping for the guy.
I thought Palin was supposed to be helping elect conservatives - not campaigning against them.
Furthermore, in this instance Palin is supporting the very man who deserves unique (though not exclusive) blame for putting Barack Obama in the White House, for the following three reasons (at least):
1. McCain-Feingold. The effect of this now officially unconstitutional campaign finance 'reform' legislation was to allow 'non-partisan' (read: radical left) outfits like MoveOn.org to thrive and to bestow massive political influence upon filthy rich liberal donors like George Soros. Think that played a role in Obama's victory?
2. Comprehensive Immigration Reform (aka Amnesty for Illegal Aliens). Read this and you'll get a sense of how McCain's convoluted stance on illegal immigration lost him the conservative vote in droves in 2008. Think that played a role in Obama's victory?
3. The Bank Bailouts of September 2008. McCain went out of his way to put himself on basically the same page as Barack Obama when it came to bailing out big banks. In an election year that favored any warm body the Democrats ended up nominating, this gave voters one less reason to not vote for Barack Obama. Think that played a role in Obama's victory?
Don't get me wrong - I'd probably still support John McCain vs. 'unopposed' or 'garden variety Democrat.' Probably. But J.D. Hayworth is a no-brainer for conservatives vis-a-vis John McCain, and one has to assume Palin would be in Hayworth's corner were it not for the fact that she was McCain's hand-picked running mate in 2008.
So I'll ask the question: Does personal loyalty trump conservative principles for Sarah Palin?
Sara should have made a token appearance and then said “Adios, Juan”.
Sometimes I think she’s a conservative. Sometimes I think she’s not.
And AZ Sheriff Joe Apraio backed
Mitt Romney in 08, of Mass. Health Care
There you have two rotten apples.
Sarah is a big girl and can make her own decisions! Only she has to live with the consequences.
Tancredo endorsed Romney
DeMint endorsed Romney
Hunter endorsed Huckabee
Thompson endorsed McCain
Gingrich endorsed Scozzafava
Pawlenty endorsed McCain
The ObamaBots grind out thread 525 against the only Conservative Republican who can beat Obama, Sarah Palin.
With this bunch along with the Left Wing MSM from TV, to Press bashing Sarah Palin, just good to see who on FR are
Pushing for Obama’s 2nd Term
I think Sarah owed McCain something in return for him picking her to run as VP.
She may be making points with mainstream Republicans here, while losing points with conservatives.
But I look at it this way. If not for McCain picking her as his running mate, she would still be sitting in Alaska, obscure and fighting state fights. And the tea parties and conservatives would have no galvanizing spoksperson who commands media attention with even the smallest tweet or facebook posting.
McCain is pretty much on his own and Palin won’t have much effect on his campaign. In effect, she has fulfilled her obligation to John. I can let that slide because there is a bigger prize by keeping her, then keeping John.
My opinion.
If McCain showed up as my XO I would have had him gone in about 30 days. He’s a big talker but a total pussy. I would never let him try to direct real warriors. Real warriors are already motivated, they don’t need some two bit cheese stick talking to them.
Palin Speaks to Investors in Hong Kong
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2346270/posts
The Chinese Connection via the CLSA: Sarah Palin Enters the Lion’s Den
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/bloggers/2345119/posts
She’s multi-tasking the kick off of the Tea Party tour. She threw in some digs against Reid, looked good in leather. Oh, McCain was there. No worries, mate.
help needed asap. please give what you can ... www.repealthehealthbill.org
Univision: Do you then favor an amnesty for the 12 or 13 million undocumented immigrants?
Sarah Palin: No, I do not. I do not. Not total amnesty. You know, people have got to follow the rules. They've got to follow the bar, and we have got to make sure that there is equal opportunity and those who are here legally should be first in line for services being provided and those opportunities that this great country provides.Univision: To clarify, so you support a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants?
Sarah Palin: I do because I understand why people would want to be in America. To seek the safety and prosperity, the opportunities, the health that is here. It is so important that yes, people follow the rules so that people can be treated equally and fairly in this country.
I believe Sarah was trying to lead John by example, but at this stage in his life, John is not about to break to follow anybody.
John is such a mixed bag, it is a wonder he ever comes up with a coherent message. He does have moments of lucidity, but not as a reliable thing.
Maybe J.D. Hayworth will win on his own merits. Sarah is really doing this more out of loyalty to Cindy than to John.
It’s sure not out of loyalty to the daughter. Now there is a piece of work, and interaction is not productive at all.
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