Palin leaves door open to eventual White House bid

Asia One / AFP ^ | March 7, 2012

[2ndDivisionVet]

Sarah Palin is a popular and influential member of the Republican party.

Former Alaska governor Sarah Palin coyly said Tuesday she could still make a tilt for the White House as Republican candidates battle it out for the divided party's 2012 nomination.

Although it would be an unlikely scenario, the controversial former 2008 vice-presidential candidate - speaking as she voted in her far northwestern state - said she might consider throwing her hat into the ring if pressed.

"I would seriously consider whatever I can do to help our country, to put things back on the right track," she told CNN, when asked about a run at the next presidential election, in 2016.

She was asked specifically what she would do if the Republican party faced an open convention this August - meaning none of the current candidates has sewn up the nomination by then - and someone asked her to stand.

"As I say, anything is possible. I don't close any doors that perhaps would be open out there, so, no, I wouldn't close that door. My plan is to be at that convention," she added in her hometown of Wasilla, Alaska.

Palin, a darling of the Tea Party but lampooned and vilified by the left, flirted for months last year with running for the Republican ticket, eventually deciding against it in October.

But with the Republican race showing no sign of being wrapped up anytime soon - unusually for a party which traditionally chooses its candidate rapidly - Palin clearly senses there could be a role for her still.

The Republican party's 2008 presidential nominee, Senator John McCain, picked Palin as his running mate before being beaten by Democrat Barack Obama.

She was ridiculed abroad notably for foreign policy gaffes, but became a Tea Party leading light and media pundit, lashing out at big government and the "lamestream" media, while her family have joined the celebrity spotlight.

Palin's comments on Tuesday were her latest hint that she could yet return to the political limelight as Mitt Romney sought to deal a knockout blow to his rivals in the race to be the Republican nominee.

Romney is battling Christian conservative Rick Santorum, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Texas Representative Ron Paul. The latter is the only candidate who actually visited Alaska before Tuesday's vote.

In Anchorage on Tuesday night, there seemed little enthusiasm for any of the frontrunners - a trend noticed throughout the race, which has seen a succession of rivals leapfrogging into the lead over Romney, before fading.

"I like Rick Santorum. He seems the most believable candidate to me. Mitt Romney just makes me feel a little uneasy," said Mike Swanson, while admitting that he was "not very passionate" about the former Pennsylvania senator.

"It's the lesser of two evils for me," he added.

Andy Kriner said that he had switched allegiance in recent months: "I started with Herman Cain, then I went to Newt Gingrich, and now Romney is probably the guy who will get the nomination.

"He seems like a good guy. I'm not passionate about him, but I'm more passionate about him than I am Obama."

Asked if any of the Republican candidates could win against the incumbent president, he said: "If I had to bet on it, I'd say it would be hard for anybody to beat Obama."

[Carthego delenda est]

per headline: huh?

[se_ohio_young_conservative]

I don’t how that would work. I wonder if she wishes that she would have decided to run. i still cant believe she backed down the way she did.

[b4its2late]

Nah, maybe in 2016 or 2020... Now is not her time.

[b4its2late]

Assuming the Myans just ran outta ink...

[svcw]

I don’t remember her backing down, I thought she said the time wasn’t right.

[svcw]

You’ll have to ask her.

[Golden Gate]

Live, From FR Golden Gate:

1. California 'Favorite Son' Candidates 2012

2. The FR Golden Gate Plan! is the "GOP Brokered Primary Now!"

California 'Favorite Son' Candidates 2012
Gregg Cunningham Executive Director - Center for Bio-Ethical Reform	CBR Directors Adopting For Life!	Click here for Gregg's military bio.
HARD TRUTH and Loving Help Center for Bio-Ethical Reform CBRInfo.org

---

The FR Golden Gate Plan! is the "GOP Brokered Primary Now!"

Our good conservative candidates do NOT need to "drop out". We need to work together!

*1. GOP Needs Brokered Primary Now! (with emphasis on "Primary", Now!)
*2. Rick as temp Placekeeper Nominee;
*3. Decide Final Nominee @ Convention

Brokered Primary Now! = Secure Conservative Nomination for the GOP Convention

Then use the next 5 months of campaigning to determine the best Conservative Nominee.

=>>> Post 55 Says It All... on the "Brokered Primary Now!" thread.

[ponygirl]

No one wants to run for President while going through menopause.

[Golden Gate]

AND:

Todd At The Top!" 2012

[se_ohio_young_conservative]

You have to be joking... thats a silly thing to say. Women in their late 40s and early 50s work stressfull jobs everyday and do fine

[PA Engineer]

No one wants to run for President while going through menopause.

Huh? I know one that I love and absolutely respect that did it while dealing with a very very stressful job. That was my Wife. Please tell me you are kidding?

[svcw]

Are you kidding?
Personally I think women become tougher and more determined while going through M.
I mean really don’t mess with us during a hot flash. /s/

[wardaddy]

hopefully she will wait till the last minute again in 2016 to say no

then she can do it again in 2020

I just can’t wait..lol

the war is on...the enemy (Romney first, Bro second) is engaged...she took her place in the stands instead of reaching for the baton that was as easy her’s as anyone still standing...arguably she was even the favorite..she was sure mine

so really who cares right now

and damn right whoever said she backed down

after that damned McGinnis book she folded pronto with little fanfare..a meek announcement on Levin’s show

she’s just another pundit now

[I see my hands]

"maybe in 2016 or 2020."

I'm not being personal to you but seriously, I don't understand such analysis. There will not be an America in 2016 or in 2020 should Obama get reelected. It's likely too late regardless.

[autumnraine]

Hot flash indeed. It’s like being microwaved and I mean NO ONE better mess with me during that. LOL

[beaversmom]

I like Sarah and all, but I’m not holding my breath. The country is on fire now. We don’t need firemen in 4 years. We need them now. As flawed as the current candidates may be, at least they stepped up.

[agere_contra]

She’s going to be at the convention. She can ‘step up’ then. Talk about cutting the Gordian Knot.

[Reagan69]

Wow, she’s starting to “tease” us early.