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?
DeMint wholeheartedly endorsed Romney in January 2007 when there were other conservatives in the race:
January 8, 2007
Dear Fellow Republican,
I’m writing to ask for your support of Governor Mitt Romney for President. Over the next 10 years, America will face unprecedented challenges. We must elect a President in 2008 who is up to the task, and I need you to encourage Mitt to run.
The threat of terrorism will continue to grow. America’s energy needs will increase, and so will our dependence on foreign oil. The number of retirees will increase dramatically, and without major reforms, the future of Social Security and Medicare will be in peril. Without strong leadership, illegal immigration will continue to cost American taxpayers billions of dollars. America’s education system and global competitiveness will continue to decline without major changes. I believe Governor Romney will provide the leadership America needs to meet this new generation of challenges.
America’s success and strength emanate from the private sector: traditional faith-based values, families, churches, volunteerism and free enterprise. We must elect a President who understands the strength of America. Governor Romney has spent most of his life outside of government. He has been a successful businessman and national leader. As governor, he has taken Massachusetts from large debts to surpluses while holding the line on taxes. He has been married to his wife Ann for 37 years; they have 5 boys and 10 grandchildren. Their lives reflect the best of America’s traditions and values.
Governor Romney has helped to start and manage national and international companies. He understands the global economy, capital formation and the need to make America more competitive. When the nation needed him to save the failing and bankrupt 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, Mitt Romney volunteered to take over the leadership of an event which was headed towards a national embarrassment. He served for over two years with no salary and even contributed Senator Jim DeMint $1 million of his own money to make sure the Olympics went forward. His leadership resulted in one of the most successful Olympics in history. Mitt Romney made America proud.
As Governor he faced down a $3 billion deficit and balanced the budget. He passed innovative health care reforms and education scholarships based on achievement. He fought an activist state court that imposed same-sex marriage on the people of his state and he championed the Federal Marriage Amendment. Once again, he did not take a salary for his public service as Governor.
We need a President who will welcome new ideas and yet knows when to take charge – someone who will call on America’s strengths and provide leadership for the new generation of challenges we face. I believe Governor Romney will be the kind of President who will inspire Americans to reach higher because he shares our goals:
American Security
Governor Romney has innovative ideas about how to adapt our military, Special Forces, intelligence services, and defense technologies to protect America from future terrorist attacks. He believes in peace through strength. He also supports the right of law-abiding individuals to protect themselves in their homes; he will be a strong defender of the second amendment and will protect our right to “bear arms.”
I support Governor Romney because he believes we need to achieve operational control of America’s borders, issue fraud-proof worker identification cards, and implement an enforceable legal immigration system. He does not believe that people who come to the U.S. illegally are entitled to a special right to citizenship.
American Competitiveness
We must guarantee that America is the best place in the world to invest capital and operate a business. I support Governor Romney because he will make America’s education and workforce development system the best in the world. He understands that by streamlining our tax code and legal and regulatory systems, America will become the best place in the world to do business.
American Independence
America should not be dependent on unreliable countries for our energy needs. I support Governor Romney because he believes we need to make America independent of foreign sources of oil. We must protect our freedom by taking our resources out of the hands of hostile regimes and using them instead to build our economy at home. Through conservation and the development of alternative fuels, America can be independent of oil from the Middle East, Venezuela, and other unreliable suppliers.
American Values
Governor Romney has exemplified the moral leadership that must be the hallmark of an American President. He knows that traditional values begin with doing the right thing; saying what you mean and meaning what you say; and keeping your promises. He strongly believes that America must keep its promises to seniors before we make new promises that we can’t afford. Governor Romney has the vision and the courage to reform Social Security and Medicare for the next generation while guaranteeing promised benefits to today’s seniors. He knows that doing the right thing means that every American must have access to quality healthcare. He passed such a plan as Governor and would support other innovative state and federal solutions, rejecting an unworkable “one-size-fits-all” approach. I support Governor Romney because he believes all Americans should have a health plan that they can afford, own and keep.
Governor Romney is strongly pro-life. He will be a great asset to the cause of life because he has done something that we must convince many other Americans to do; he has changed his mind. After reviewing new scientific data, he is absolutely convinced that human life begins at conception. He will work to protect the lives of mothers and babies. He will also support promising adult stem cell research while maintaining the ban on federal funding of research that involves the killing of human embryos.
Governor Romney is opposed to same-sex marriages and civil unions. He supports a Federal Marriage Amendment that protects traditional marriage. He believes in the equal rights of every American, but does not believe activist judges should be making the law in these areas. He also rejects government promotion of the homosexual lifestyle.
Governor Romney believes that American values should include the end of wasteful government spending and the elimination of the huge debts that our children should not be forced to pay. He also believes that preserving our environment is an important American value and a tangible legacy for future generations.
I believe that Governor Romney can restore America’s leadership at home and around the world. Too often, career politicians who have spent their lives in government, turn first to government solutions. And too often, well-intentioned government solutions have only made our problems worse. As a leader who has spent most of his life in the private sector, Governor Romney will call on America’s strength and character to solve problems and secure our future.
I Need Your Help! Governor Romney has organized an exploratory committee to promote his vision and goals for America and to gauge support for his potential candidacy. I believe that he is exactly the leader America needs to secure our future. Americans are tired of the same old ideas that keep coming out of Washington. They are hungry for a leader who will draw on America’s strength. I would like Governor Romney to know that key Republicans like you want him to run for President. If you agree with me, please use the enclosed replycard to let me know. I will personally hand deliver all of these cards to Governor Romney.
Sincerely, Jim DeMint
DeMint also said, 'Rommey lights up a room like Reagan' and also supported his HCR in Mass.
DeMint praised Romney for his HCR
Even as recent as October 2009, Romney hosted a fundraiser for DeMint, where thousands of dollars were raised. Of course, DeMint is now being coy about Romney in 2012:
"Mitt is still near the top of my list of candidates, but I want to look and see who steps up to the plate," DeMint said after a fundraiser with Florida Senate candidate Marco Rubio. "Frankly I think we need to wait until after the 2010 election to see what happens in Congress."
but there is little doubt DeMint will fall in time if Romney is the nominee.
Bachmann also said this about McCain:
Bachmann backs McCain - now
By Dennis Lien on August 26, 2008 11:46 AM | No CommentsU.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann was no early supporter of John McCain for president. Back in March she said of the Arizona senator, "He is not my man," and today acknowledged that, "John McCain was not my first choice."
But since McCain will be the Republican Party’s nominated candidate in next week, Bachmann has come around.
In a telephone conference call today arranged by the state Republican Party, the 6th District congresswoman listed lots of reasons to support McCain over the Democratic candidate, Barack Obama, whom she called the nation’s “most liberal senator.’’
“John McCain is our nominee,’’ Bachmann said, adding that the choice “could not be more stark.’’
Palin has also been welcomed by Bachmann to campaign for her, and the two are more than political allies- they're friends.
So, DeMint ardently endorses a RINO, who many believe is worse than McCain, and Bachmann tows the party line, thinks there's a huge difference between McCain and Obama, and has Palin campaigning for her.
Guess those two are off your list now, huh?
I’m still waiting to see how her Tea Party convention speaking fee went “back to the cause”. Was this it?
My main issue with Palin isn’t her endorsement of McCain. I think it’s wrongheaded, but all politicians have to do that sort of thing - it’s an unfortunate part of the “game.” Either way, I don’t think her endorsement will save McCain’s bacon.
I don’t support Palin as my first choice for two main reasons:
1) Quite frankly, she’s a woman, and I don’t think we need a female President (look at the job our current one is doibg). Call me a chauvanist if you like, makes no difference to me, but a country that can’t find male leadership is a country that might as well fold up the tent and call it a day.
2) Her quitting the Alaskan governourship under pressure shows that she doesn’t have what it takes to handle the stresses of the Presidency. Sure, she was taking all kinds of flak and harassment from the media. What nationally-known conservative doesn’t, however? What, you think Reagan never got it from the media? He did, he just didn’t let on that it ever bothered him.
1) Quite frankly, she’s a woman, and I don’t think we need a female President (look at the job our current one is doibg). Call me a chauvanist if you like, makes no difference to me, but a country that can’t find male leadership is a country that might as well fold up the tent and call it a day.
But why punish Palin for something she doesn't have control over? If there's lack of male leadership, it certainly isn't because of her nor is it her fault. So yeah, I do think its a bit chavanistic to say such things. Instead of not supporting her, why not go on the offensive with your own gender, and challenge them to grow a pair. ;) Personally, I think there's a lack of overall leadership among conservatives, period. And conservatives should embrace leadership regardless of gender (or race, etc.)
2) Her quitting the Alaskan governourship under pressure shows that she doesn’t have what it takes to handle the stresses of the Presidency.
Here are my feelings on that. Let's say you hired a new manager and gave them a very specific set of goals/issues to solve. Yet, at some point during their employment, they got dragged into doing other work, work that took them away from the role you hired that person for- and it was costing your company money. Wouldn't you be pissed? That's not any different than what happened to Palin in Alaska. All the frivolous lawsuits were costing Alaskans time and money, and taking Palin away from the job she was elected to do. If Palin has stayed on, there would be no possible way she could have done the work voters elected her to do. Its a damn shame Alaska law allows those lawsuits to happen. Noble idea, but terrible execution of an idea.
Sure, she was taking all kinds of flak and harassment from the media. What nationally-known conservative doesn’t, however? What, you think Reagan never got it from the media? He did, he just didn’t let on that it ever bothered him.
She didn't leave the governorship because of the flak and harassment. She left because she could no longer do the job she was elected for. As for the media flak, there isn't a politician today who has stood up to and weathered the media storm as well as Palin has. And she's still standing. Let me point out, too, that the media of Reagan and the media today are two entirely different animals. There's little doubt that if the media had gone after Reagan's family with the same vicious, tabloid tenacity as they've gone after Palin's, he would have spoke out about it. I have more respect for anyone who stands against the MSM when their family is unfairly attacked.
Bottom line, when it comes to the MSM attacks, Palin is like a Timex- takes a licking, but keeps on ticking.
Reagan's family was not being sued out of existence, but more importantly Reagan was not Governor in a place remote from the continental United States and many thousands of miles from DC, New York and Los Angeles, Reagan was in the top seat (next to the Presidency) from which to maintain his side of the story and fight the national media, and public opinion on a daily basis if needed.
A conservative (or anyone) fighting while serving as Governor of Hawaii or Alaska did not stand a chance.
Any more than Palin's continued (i.e. not just a one-time "thanks for the help Johnnie") stumping for McQueeg?
Please, what's good for the goose is good for the gander. If Palin's endorsement doesn't matter, than neither does DeMint's.
The point is that criticism against Palin for doing this is not sincere.
If it were sincere, other conservatives who have done the same thing would receive the same criticism.
They don’t. So it’s not sincere.
You are exactly right.
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