Can Palin and Thompson lead GOP tea party?

Politico ^ | Nov. 16, 2008 | Matt Lewis

[Al B.]

The presidential race is over, but for a few top Republicans, the campaign is just beginning. At its winter meeting in January, the Republican National Committee will elect a new chairman, and a slew of hungry candidates are already lining up for the job.

Some might consider the RNC chairmanship to be a low-profile position, but there’s already no Republican Senate majority leader or House speaker and soon there will be no Republican president. For at least two years, the chairman will become the de facto national leader and face of the GOP — and will arguably be the most powerful Republican in the United States.

Unlike recent predecessors, the new chairman not only will need to oil the party machinery but also to be the primary mechanism for advancing the Republican message. This will require enough gravitas and personal magnetism to play loyal opposition to the Obama administration. Furthermore, Republican voters are angry at the party leadership right now — angry enough to break out the guillotines. We need a chairman who can both combat the Democratic president and control the stampeding elephants.

Where can we find such a superhuman being? Does such a person even exist?

[TexasCajun]

I like Fred, and he can help, but he's not the one.

We need younger, fresh, energetic and enthusiasm to match Gov. Palin.

In my opinion Fred ran a half-ass campaign, did well when he put forth the effort.

[chicagolady]

Thank you I could not have said it better.

Jindal is NEW blood, which is what we need.

[Mark319]

Jindal is very sharp. I also think he is a future party leader.

He also dispenses nicely with the asinine assertions of the Dems that the Republicans are the party of “whites-only”.

[Netizen]

No way on Thompson. He didn’t seem to really want it the last time, so why bother trying again. It looked like he only ran to mess up Romney. As soon as Romney was out, Fred dropped out, too. What was THAT about?

[WakeUpAndVote]

You Betcha!

[Dreagon]

No. We need new blood. Thompson just doesn’t have it anymore and Palin was damaged by being brought on the national stage before she was ready.

[WorkerbeeCitizen]

Palin/Hunter

OR

Hunter/Palin

[NavVet]

For those still repeating the media mantra about Thompson running a “Half Ass Campaign”. It is funny that McCain went from not being able to get a cab in in Iowa, to “running a masterful campaign” once the media got behind him. Once they turned against him in the general election, he once again “ran a horrible campaign”.

McCain didn't change, the media's treatment of McCain changed. I don't think Thompson has any attention of running for office again, but there are very few politicians with name recognition that can be counted on to publicly articulate the conservative position on issues, even before polling data is available. Thompson is an excellent debater and does very well when making the rounds of the Sunday Shows etc.

Considering that party chairmen don't normally run for their party's nomination, we could do a lot worse than having someone like Thompson bashing the Dims, while extolling the virtues of Palin, Jindal etc.

[LibLieSlayer]

I agree... if only newt had not turned to the darkside he would be the man. I can't trust him... but he would slew dean and the dims... if he stayed on Conservative message... which he would not because he would agree on globull warming and a more “centrist” outlook. We need someone to educate the youth that put obammy in office and we need to bring back disgruntled Conservatives... which means we need a gladiator to embrace Reaganism and destroy the dims with it!... it truly is that simple

LLS

[cripplecreek]

Yeah I also had the impression that Fred was a spoiler and little else.

[cripplecreek]

Good choices either way. Plus it keeps so good solidly conservative old blood that is needed as much as conservative new blood.

[LibLieSlayer]

Palin needs to prepare for 2012 and a sitting Gonernor does not have time to run the party. Palin will be our nominee in 2012 (70% chance right now)... damaged... yeah... like the left damaged Reagan so badly he won twice in landslides! Fred has an important place in our party but leader is not the position. We need a Terminator of Conservatism, armed with pure unfiltered Reaganism.

LLS

[Friendofgeorge]

Everybody's favorite Andrea Mitchell, said Palin would/could not be the leader of the GOP. She said at the RNC Governors convention, Sarah had no substance in her speech.

So there you have it, Andrea says no way, no Palin. Man the hatred these sleaze bags have for Sarah is incredible! They feel they have done a great job of demonizing her, and have no plans of letting up.

[ChetNavVet]

I’m for Hunter.

Whomever is picked as GOP leader, Minority leader, etc, they’ll need our support. I’ll support anyone that will fight the dems - not just say no, but fight them on the floor, and on the airwaves.

[nmh]

Fred is a great guy and I WANTED to vote for him but he had already dropped out. He's not the one - he lacks enthusiastic passion. Plain is okay but also we need someone who is more seasoned and knowledgeable. Her earlier interviews were pretty bad and so was the debate performance. While she will improve ... we really need a STRONG candidate NOW that is ready NOW for prime time. We have an uphill battle and we shouldn't be using gender or race as bonus cards. Let's go for COMPETENCE and really pick a winner.

[nmh]

Fred is a great guy and I WANTED to vote for him but he had already dropped out. He's not the one - he lacks enthusiastic passion. Palin is okay but also we need someone who is more seasoned and knowledgeable. Her earlier interviews were pretty bad and so was the debate performance. While she will improve ... we really need a STRONG candidate NOW that is ready NOW for prime time. We have an uphill battle and we shouldn't be using gender or race as bonus cards. Let's go for COMPETENCE and really pick a winner.

[TexasCajun]

I would have voted for Thompson in the primary if I would have had a chance.

In Texas, the primary was over before we had a chance to vote.

[johnny7]

[Slump Tester]

"What was THAT about?"

John McCain. Fred is OK with every McCain policy that sucks.

We don't need Fred.