Mark Steyn rips Ed Rollins as 'one of the things that disfigures American politics'

The Daily Caller ^ | June 10, 2011 | Jeff Poor

[2ndDivisionVet]

Earlier this week, what could be the first shots were fired in a potential rivalry between potential Republican presidential hopefuls Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. On Tuesday, Bachmann campaign manager Ed Rollins said Palin wasn’t a “serious” candidate for president and that upset many Palin supporters, who also tend to support Bachmann.

In an appearance on Thursday’s syndicated “Hugh Hewitt Show,” columnist Mark Steyn asked the question – what is Bachmann doing with Rollins on her team in the first place?

“Well you know, let me say it as bluntly as I can because I love Michele Bachmann,” Steyn said. “I think she’s — if we have to have congressmen and congresswomen, I’d rather more were like Michele Bachmann and less were like Anthony Weiner, the obvious candidate. So I adore Michele Bachmann and I don’t see why she needs Ed Rollins.”

Steyn described Rollins as a “backroom boy” and described him as what is wrong with American politics.

“Ed Rollins … is one of the things that disfigures American politics because he’s one of these so-called backroom boys who’s always in the front window,” Steyn said. “I don’t see the point of having backroom boys who are always in the front window.”

Steyn mocked Rollins for one of his shots of Palin – her looks compared to Bachmann’s looks.

“And in this case when he started going on about — well I forget what he said, you know that his candidate was just as hot-looking as Sarah Palin, he said that about Michele didn’t he I think at one point?” he continued. “Which I agree with and I vaguely remember from – I think it was 1988 when Bob Dole’s campaign manager announced Bob Dole was twice as hot as George Bush, Sr. Obviously you know, this is part of a well-established pattern in Republican primaries.”

Rollins played an instrumental role in former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee’s 2008 Iowa Caucus victory, but he does come with some baggage from that win. Amanda Carpenter, then of Townhall.com, reported on a Rollins outburst at an Iowa restaurant on Jan. 3, 2008, where he made personal attacks against Mitt Romney, Rudy Giuliani and Fred Thompson and shared his affections for NBC correspondent Andrea Mitchell and then-CNN host Lou Dobbs with the entire restaurant.

And although Rollins has a track record of criticizing Palin prior to joining the Bachmann campaign, Steyn’s advice to Bachmann was to keep Rollins in the “backroom” if he is such an essential part of the campaign process.

“But I don’t think Michele Bachmann needs Ed Rollins,” he said. “And while we’re at it – I’ll put it out there – I don’t want an Ed Rollins-fied primary season, with respect. If you have to have backroom boys, keep them in the backroom. I’m tired of backroom boys in the front window.”

[iowamark]

Quite correct. Rollins is a weasel. I can understand the sleazy Huckster hiring him, but Michele Bachmann has to have higher standards than that.

[NoLibZone]

Didn’t Rollins use to post here under the name Pissedant?

[2ndDivisionVet]

[passionfruit]

As usual, Steyn is right.

[marron]

I agree with Steyn.

I like Michele, but her choice of Rollins is a disappointment. The fact that she doesn’t realize that he is poison, calls her own judgement into question.

One of the remarkable things about Palin is that every attack on her, every trap laid for her, redounds to her benefit. You’d think someone would get a clue.

[The Cajun]

That picture gets me every time, LOL.

Steyn has a way with words like no other conservative, bar none.
When Steyn sets out on you, it'll leave a mark.

[Prokopton]

One of the remarkable things about Palin is that every attack on her, every trap laid for her, redounds to her benefit.

Unfortunately, this is not true. Palin has huge negatives mostly because of MSM attacks on her. Most recently, she has been painted as being ignorant of history because of her Paul Revere remarks. It makes little difference that she was correct. Average Americans, who are not seriously engaged in politics, are influenced by the main story and pay little attention to back page corrections.

[unseen1]

the rllins hire confirmed everything I have thoought about Bachmann since she started to think about running for POTUS.

[sinanju]

I realize that Rollins seemed to have a lot of good ideas and showed sparks of brilliance earlier in his career but he always was loud and egotistical, tried to make himself the star of the show, and has seemed highly erratic and bizarre these past two decades or so. He has a universally lousy record of managing presidential campaigns.

I don’t like campaign managers on principle. The candidate is supposed to be the one in charge, not the hired help. Good ones may give good tactical advice but candidates are supposed to have their own ideas and principles. They should communicate them straight up and let the voters decide. They should NOT let themselves be led around by the nose by some unprincipled, machiavellian mercenary who’s always telling them to water down their message, pander shamelessly, engage in cheap theatrics, and try to fool people into voting for them.

That may work for democrats, but it never seems to work for republicans. Voters expect different from republicans. Those mushy moderates we hear so much about never seem to actually show up on election day.

Romney’s recent, shameless genuflection to the alter of global warming is a perfect example.

[smokingfrog]

Rollins is a douchebag, and that's the nicest thing I can think of to say about him.

[Vendome]

Rollins is a toad.

you turn him over, he still has warts.

[gardencatz]

Fortunately her campaign style is to go right to the people, bypassing the media filter. She was unable to do this last time because of McCain’s handlers. ALL poll numbers are subject to change.

Cindie

[SoConPubbie]

Unfortunately, this is not true. Palin has huge negatives mostly because of MSM attacks on her. Most recently, she has been painted as being ignorant of history because of her Paul Revere remarks. It makes little difference that she was correct. Average Americans, who are not seriously engaged in politics, are influenced by the main story and pay little attention to back page corrections.

Sorry, but it is true.

How do you feel parrotting the left-wing press and the DNC and some of the more purient parts of the GOP elite?

Reagan was down more than 30% in polling to Carter in 1980 less than a year from the General Election. Palin isn't even close to being that much underwater and you are throwing up your arms and saying we can't win with Palin?

What are you, a DU troll or a GOP operative from a competing potential POTUS candidate?

[hosepipe]

[ Average Americans, who are not seriously engaged in politics, are influenced by the main story and pay little attention to back page corrections. ]

Sooo.. if I get yer drift...
“We” are relegated to select those whom the main stream media have not savaged?..
And instead should gravitate to those the MSM LIKE?..

You know....... like Myth Romney or John McLaim.?..
Surely yer not serious?..

[eyedigress]

You are young. If you could explain the negatives other than the media, I will listen. Use bullet point statements if you can. Thanks

[FreeReign]

With all the lies, propaganda and false quotes from the LSM, at least we still have the polls, 18 months before an election, that we can rely on to be accurate.

Uh, right?

LOL.

[TwoSwords]

FRiend. This election is over. It’s not zero.

[eyedigress]

Examples.....

- She is a Marxist
- She attends a Marxist Church
- She begins a campaign with Ayres
- She has never had a private job
- She has never been to Conneticut
- She has never released anything about her life.
- She hates America
- She plays golf
- She needs a teleprompter
- She wants to destroy Israel
- She wants to destroy America

Something like that

[libbylu]

So why is Palin first in some polls now, or second? The campaign is to convince the people to vote for you. I’ve always felt if she runs she wins.