[County Agent Hank Kimball]

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

[GLDNGUN]

by all accounts a reasonably effective governor.

LOL

Even Jon Stewart knows she kicked butt the short time she was in office. Go ahead and downplay it but she was THE most popular governor in the nation when she was tapped to be the VP by McCain. She gets things done where ever she has gone. She's NOT the typical politician. More so than any other potential GOP contender out there, she is the average down-to-earth American. She is one of "US", not one of "THEM". THAT is a HUGE reason why she resonates with people. I don't understand why you don't get it.

Your reasoning seems to be "well, besides the fact that she is an enormously popular conservative and would result in a huge turnout for the GOP...why should we want her?"

ROFL! Let me clue you into something...THAT is what you want in a candidate. Does this even have to be mentioned or explained to you? Incredible.

[JaguarXKE]

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?”

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.