Posted on 02/11/2011 10:36:05 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Do note, while HuffPo refers to “common” swipes at Palin in the halls of CPAC this year, their evidence consists of quotes from … two people. And one guy isn’t even guilty of a “swipe.” He says he likes her but simply fears she can’t win.
Even so, as I’ve argued many times before, this dynamic in the primaries is inevitable — even if she doesn’t run. Half the field will compete for the principled “true conservative” nomination (Palin, Huck, Santorum), the other half will compete for the moderate/managerial nomination (Mitt, Daniels, Huntsman), and then there’ll be a showdown. (Pawlenty and Gingrich are more or less trying to straddle the two.) Winner take all — unless he/she alienates the other camp so badly that some Republicans stay home in the general election, in which case game over.
The “Palin” candidate will paint the “anti-Palin” as a squish who’ll get rolled by the left and the “anti-Palin” will paint “Palin” as incompetent and unelectable. Right? This is all old hat. But since “anti-Palin” supporters talking smack is always good for a freakout in the comments, let’s liven up the night a bit:
“Intelligence versus not-so-intelligent,” was the pitch by Ken Merritt, a Virginia-based Romney supporter with roots in Palin’s home state of Alaska. “Fluff versus not about fluff … [Palin] does a great show on TV, though.”
Swipes like these have been common during this year’s gathering of conservative activists. A no-show at CPAC for several years running, Palin has been a popular subject among the convention crowd, her absence interpreted either as an innocent scheduling conflict or, more often, evidence that she doesn’t feel the need to placate conservative voters…
“I would much rather have him than Palin,” said Bradley Gunther, a student at the University of Delaware whose college Republican group organized buses to Washington for the conference. “I think she is a good spokesperson for the conservative movement. She’s like Howard Dean for the Democrats: she gets people fired up but can’t win an election.”…
“He does go deeper into policy than any other candidate, and sometimes going deeper into policy, because he is so much more conversant, can give the perception that he’s not perfectly consistent,” Merritt said. “But what’s not to like about him? He has the experience and credentials to know what he’s doing as well as a business background and an organizational background. He is obviously the most intellectually-gifted one in the pack.”
Red State contributor Dan McLaughlin says of course Romney is the anti-Palin: Palin, after all, has principles. Mitch Daniels almost took a shot at Mitt too, goofing on his stiffness before backing off at the last moment. It’s campaign season, amigos — time to start throwing some punches. In fact, even the new head honcho of CPAC is getting into the mix, suggesting that Palin and Huckabee mustn’t be serious about running or else they’d have showed up this weekend, wouldn’t they? Zing!
For your viewing pleasure, a few minutes of Romney’s speech this morning indicting The One for helping to bring about new Hoovervilles. (Really?) Fox News pollsters asked Republican voters which potential nominees they think would make good presidents. Only Huckabee (55 percent) and Romney (54 percent) cracked majority support. Gingrich landed at 43 percent and Palin at just 40, with Jeb Bush behind her by a single point.
(VIDEO AT LINK)
As of today both of these candidates are badly flawed.
Fill us in on Governor Palin’s flaws. I know all about Governor Romney’s.
For one thing about sixty percent of country currently thinks she is Dan Quayle.
I think it’s funny how they paint themselves as the anti-Palin. We know who they think they have to beat.
Which night will Palin be making her case?
Good point.
She won’t be attending FudgePAC.
Could Willard the Giant RAT be appropriately referred to as the "anti-Palin"? Yes.
Is that a reason to support him? No! Hayull NO!
Given her other statements about gays I doubt if that is the reason.
60% of voter thought Ronald Reagan was an old lightweight B actor and warmonger in 1978. Jimmy Carter was whooping him in the polls up until 1980. Remind me how that turned out.
Exactly. As commie arseholes go, he's my first choice! (Unless my idol, Juan "Lettuce" McStain jumps in!)
Palin is the anti-Obama
Rinos are anti-Palin
Skipping an event because you don't control it is hardly a position from strength.
FUMR
PLEASE DISAPEAR
It’s going to be easier to identify RINOs from now on.
so not attending cpac is equivalent of afraid to take on issues???? She never attended any CPAC event, plus she already said she was busy with something else. Can’ the lady work and make a living without ppl accusing her of being afraid?
Just saying that for Palin she has the quitter issue already. I understand that she was getting bombed with legal bills and the system couldn’t be used to help. That said there will be issues for anyone in a general election that are controversial 50/50 type stuff that have to be handled. If a Republican can’t show because of Ron Paul really how strong is she? Or GoProud? Did you see Cheney say now sit down and shut up? THAT is the difference I’m looking for not run and hide.
Christ/Antichrist.
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