Posted on 03/16/2013 5:47:30 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
In January 2009, Sarah Palin had the world on a string. A potential Republican presidential field-clearer for the presidency, every sentence she uttered was news. A Fox News contract awaited her. So did book deals.
Four years later, Palin is without a clear option for elected office - or a clear sense she has an interest in any position of real public influence. She never took an active, leadership role in the tea party movement, beyond showing up at a scattered handful of events and talking it up on television. For many Americans, her name is now primarily a punchline and if she is envisioning a comeback, it may simply be too late.
Once as polarizing as a 1990s-era Hillary Clinton, she can still rouse the conservative base and create headline ripples, and has instincts for picking candidates in a primary battle that other Republicans follow. She is getting the most speaking time at CPAC when she takes the stage Saturday at the Gaylord National hotel in Maryland, and her speech is among the most anticipated.
But as a force within the party, Palin has gone from sixty to zero within the span of a single presidential cycle.
"There was a ton of potential there, and it's conceivable that there could be a second act, but it's a little hard to see it now," said Weekly Standard editor Bill Kristol, who championed Sarah from Alaska as a potential VP pick in 2008 for Sen. John McCain.
"She didn't run, obviously, in 2012, and she hasn't really made herself a leader on any particular issue," added Kristol, arguing that one either needs to hold office or make themselves relevant on an issues front . "Usually you have to do one of those things...otherwise you're just another pundit."(continued)
(Excerpt) Read more at syracuse.com ...
She would make a fantastic Energy Secretary.
Understood.
Still I believe she’s reached balance. I believe it’s possible for her to progress, beyond just raising a family in 2016.
I was disappointed last time, however I remain hopeful.
He said, indirectly, that Obama was trying to destroy the country...but he did so without pointing the finger.
Will that be effective? We'll have to wait to find out.
I prefer full frontal assault...but that's just me.
Carson might be much more strategic than me...and more effective.
Interesting comparison considering that Churchill was relegated to virtual obscurity during most of the 1930's reign of Chamberlain and his appeasement ilk.
He re-appeared, big time.
Sure she has an exciting future but not as president. I understand she has a devoted following on FR but not so much nationally.
I don't see how that would come back and haunt her. How would the libs use it in a way that could possibly hurt her?
And yet, despite her family, she ran for VP and all the other offices prior to that. Palin didn't run in 2012 because she knew she'd likely lose in the primaries - and the odds would even be more against her in 2016 when she'd face much tougher competition.
Oh good grief, not this birther nonsense again. Jindal and Rubio were born in the United States and are eligible to be President. Period.
Never say never.
Ronnie Reagan was cooked after the 1976 presidential cycle.....alot can happen in 4 years.......
There’s a reason Palin turned down the FOX channel new contract....we can only speculate.
Palin still seems to arouse the rank and file of the Conservative right.......ie... she’s not dead by a long shot!
Kristol’s a guy with his finger on the pulse of the Tea Party.
Which law school did you attend?
I agree with you about this, amnesty would not help win over Hispanics and it would be a disaster for Republicans. I also suspect Paul is much more like his Dad than he lets on, and I believe conservatives should be wary. That said, no matter the reservations many of us have, Paul has a strong following and may win over a lot of traditional conservatives despite some of his more libertarian views.
I listen to constitutional experts like Mark Levin, not birther conspiracy theorists that can't get anywhere in the courts with their made-up version of what a natural born citizen is. Rubio was born in Miami and he is eligible to be President. Jindal was born in Baton Rouge and he is eligible to be President. That's all there is to it.
I don’t claim credit for what someone else already noted, but, I swear that is the modern Statue of Liberty.
14th Admendment citizens are NOT Natural Born Citizens. The words of WKA are clear that Under the 14th Admendment their rights are the same as if they were NBCs, but does not include them as such. Sorry you are ill-informed.
While the term in irself has been around for centuries with various definitions the term (ie Nomenclature as refered to in Minor v Happersett) as used in the 18th century merant someone born to the native soil whose parents were its citizens.......nothings has changed that evn in light of Obama’s distortions....*Ever notice that Obama never calls himself a Naatural Born Citizen???? He always says “I was born here I am a citizen....Nice! But that isn’t the Article II requirement......nor is it for Rubio, or Jindal....sorry pal
To the contrary. Palin has a HUGE number of supporters separate from FR. In fact, most of them don't even know FreeRepublic exists.
Got to tamp down excitement about Palin...
Wrong. Sarah knew winning the primaries was quite possible BUT that she would lose the general election BECAUSE the GOP-E would see to her loss. The timing wasn't right. However, that's changing as anyone following the events of the day can see that the political establishment is falling out of favor with millions of people all across the nation. People are fed up!
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