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?
She is conservative. Is she “more conservative” than DeMint?” I don’t know, maybe not. BUT! The very fact that the media spends an inordinate amount of time trying to destroy her tells me that it is Sarah Palin they fear. I think it is because they know she has a real shot at the nomination and would eat Bamby for lunch if she were to run. I like Jim DeMint, but if winning is our goal here, we need someone who will really excite the base. DeMint may excite the truly diehards, but I think Palin will be able to draw the kind of support from moderates and the female vote that will be needed to beat Zero. Just my humble opinion.
More like Reagan who left the convention w/all the delegates wishing he was the nominee.
Pray for America
I thought by the polls and the press Huck and Hillary are the most important people. At least that is what the elite want you all to believe. So just you all go back to watching tennis or world soccer
/sarc.. Is that why the Democrats and the liberal media viciously attack Sarah Palin 24/7, vastly more than any other potential GOP cndidate for 2012?
If the Democrats thought Sarah Palin would be easiest to beat in 2012, how come 90% of their attacks on likely GOP candidates for 2012 are concentrated on Sarah Palin?
OK, guys. I won’t press further since I don’t want to get labeled as anti-Palin.
But you still haven’t explained WHY you think she’s the best candidate? Because she “rallies the base?” Without something more than that, you’re not talking about anything more than a personality cult. WHY does she “rally the base?”
I doubt few of her most ardent supporters knew much about her prior to McStain selecting her in 2008. She gained a lot of popularity, I submit, because so many were happy that McStain actually selected conservative. And a female conservative at that!
But there’s nothing about her RECORD - unless you count a failed national campaign - that should make her any more inspiring than a hundred others. She’s not more conservative. She’s not more articulate - no one would claim she’s a gifter orator. She’s not more experienced.
She has attractive qualities. She’s worked in the private sector, which I admire and think helps a lot. She was by all accounts a reasonably effective governor.
But OBJECTIVELY...I’ve yet to see anything that justifies the blind passion many seem to have for her. Again, don’t confuse that with dislike, because if she got the nomination I’d be 100% behind her.
There are just better, more articulate, candidates...and certainly better conservatives out there in my mind.
Hank
“Chris Matthews is the least important talking head in country.”
I want to place some other nominees in the fray:
Keith Olberwomann
Rachel Madddog
David Letterpimp
Jonathon Alter
Jerry Creeks aka Whorealdo
Shep Sheepdog
I’m sure I might have missed some FR favorites, so go ahead and vote. Polls close in hours to allow more time for illegal aliens (wetbacks) to vote.
“The ‘Rats will be playing the “she’s a quitter!” card a gazillion times come primary season.”
They sure do wish she would quit kicking their @SS along with Husseins. But along with the Energizer Bunny, she keeps on “kicking”.
“Jim DeMint could slaughter him. As would a dozen other solid conservatives. But Palin just comes across as very shallow.”
Turn off your smoke alarm. I think you just went off the “deep” end.
If Demint is planning on being a force, he’s gonna need to step up to the plate rather than hiding in his bunker or in the shadows. “a dozen other solid conservatives” - by all means share their names with us.
Because:
1. She articulates conservative principles better (by which I mean more often, and more effectively) than others
2. She is out front leading on important issues like energy independence, immigration, etc.
3. She keeps her name in the news, and thus in the minds of the base, by continuously taking the Obama administration to task.
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