Posted on 06/27/2010 3:50:11 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
A truly extraordinary thing happened on this weekend's "The Chris Matthews Show": the host asked his panel if former Alaska governor Sarah is the most important Republican in the country right now. What made this even more surprising was how his guests -- CNN's Gloria Borger, Politico's John Harris, the BBC's Katty Kay, and former "CBS Evening News" host Dan Rather -- seemed to feel she was.
Most bullish on Palin was Rather who said, "I wouldn't underestimate her...If she decides to run, it would be hard to bet against her for the nomination."
For his part, Matthews played a little bit of a misdirection with his viewers by predictably bashing Palin during the program's introduction (multiple videos follow with highlights and commentary):
(VIDEO AT LINK)
CHRIS MATTHEWS, HOST: She was a governor that couldn't take it anymore. Ridiculed as a Bozo, all she could do was cash in get what she could on the way off the stage. But a year later, with zillions in her pocket, she's an even better bet to run.
As the opening segment about President Obama and Generals McChrystal and Petraeus came to an end, Matthews told his viewers:
MATTHEWS: Before we break, it was a year ago that Sarah Palin called that surprise news conference out there in the lawn in Wasilla to announce she was quitting as Alaska governor. David Letterman had a lot of fun with that.
What followed was one of Letterman's typically derogatory "Top Tens" about Palin:
(VIDEO AT LINK)
After the commercial, Matthews played a clip from Palin's resignation speech last July:
(VIDEO AT LINK)
SARAH PALIN: With this announcement that I'm not seeking re-election, I determined it is best to transfer the authority of governor, to Lieutenant Governor Parnell.
MATTHEWS: Transfer the authority? Well, she quit. A lot of people thought that was a short-sighted move, that quitting would end her career as an elected politician. Well, a year since then Palin's made well over $12 million. Her first book "Going Rogue" was the year's number one best-seller, made her $7 million in the advance. She gets $100,000 a speech, and Fox signed her to a TV deal. Besides getting to be rich, has she become, I would ask you open-ended, is she the most important Republican right now in the country?
Kay was the first to answer, making some surprisingly positive comments about the former Governor and her success assisting Republican candidates in recent primaries.
When Matthews commented that Palin seems to be only backing winners, Borger countered that maybe they're winning BECAUSE of her support.
For his part, Harris was a little less enthusiastic, but also gave an uncharacteristically upbeat view of the former vice presidential candidate.
But the best was yet to come when Rather got his turn:
DAN RATHER: Well, she's not running at the moment for President. But I wouldn't underestimate her. She's a version now of a Deacon with four aces. She can go a lot of different ways. She is playing an almost perfect hand. If she wants to stay a power in the Party, make a lot of money and not run, she can do that. I wouldn't underestimate her even for 2012 for one second. If she decides to run, it would be hard to bet against her for the nomination.
MATTHEWS: Good point. Is she Richard Nixon? Is she going around and picking up chits, proving that she can deliver, carefully selecting winners, avoiding losers when they're on the right, so that day after this election, like Nixon did in '66, "Look what I did for the party, I should be the nominee?"
RATHER: And goes into the convention with maybe thirty percent of the votes.
Imagine that.
For approaching two years, America's press have been mercilessly eviscerating this woman with every opportunity.
Now, with Obama plummeting in the polls, and Democrats looking like they're in a lot of trouble in the upcoming midterm elections, suddenly Palin is not only possibly the most important Republican in the country, but is also a legitimate candidate for President.
Is hell freezing over, or is something else at play here?
Regardless, Chris Matthews is the least important talking head in country.
Is Chris Matthews the biggest homo in nbc?
*PING*PING*PING*
She could take it; she just moved on to bigger and better things. ...as Chrissy appears to be now realizing.
So true. :)
No, I'm positive you're mistaken; surely KEITH OLBERMANN is even worse than The Tingler.
LOL
The left desparately want to paint Palin as the face of the right.
We should ask ourselves why.
Hank
They think she would be easily beatable. They do not think she would have broad appeal to the electorate and thus would give Obama his best chance at re-election. They consider almost anyone else as trouble—Romney, Gingrich, Pawlenty, Huckaby and the list goes on.
Remember: The liberal press would not encourage and compliment ANYONE who would threaten their communnist utopianism.
The ‘Rats will be playing the “she’s a quitter!” card a gazillion times come primary season.
I had never heard that; however, I do know that several months ago, they did a big promo about how Chrissie was going to interview his wife, and he frequently mentions a son, although I have no idea how many sons &/or daughters they have.
Chris who?
The left currently wants Huckabee or Romney as the 2012 nominee, and that is blatantly obvious.
I would love nothing more than to see a debate between Mrs. Palin and Obama. That would expose the left for what they are, once and for all.
She was the fox who chewed off his leg to get out of the trap.
Or they are under orders to deminish "O" so it can be Hillary vs. Sarah.
Either way, a bit of sannity has hit Matthews, perhaps he is back on his meds....
‘Is Sarah Palin The Most Important Republican In The Country?’
YES.
Hear that, Huckabee?
The only problem is, if she eventually decides to run, she will be front and center 24/7 and will easily be able to point out the reason behind her moving on.
That card is a weak one and will not hurt her at all. There are few people in this country who will hold it against her, and for good reason.
In the end, it really depends upon whether or not she decides she wants to enter the race, and there are no really clear signs that she intends to run.
Palin would be right....but she’d lose the debate.
Now someone like Jim DeMint could slaughter him. As would a dozen other solid conservatives. But Palin just comes across as very shallow.
Hank
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