The 2012 Primary Fight Is On: Palin Backers Shoot Back At Romney With "Bear" Web Ad

The Weekly Standard ^ | May 6, 2009 11:00 AM

[lewisglad]

It's On: Palin Backers Shoot Back at Romney With "Bear" Web Ad Mitt Romney grabbed headlines at the inaugural town-hall event of the National Council for a New America this Saturday by taking what many perceived as a whack at Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. For what it's worth, I thought it sounded more like the slightly clumsy joke typical of Romney (humor is not his strong suit), rather than a put-down, but it can easily be seen as a swipe. You be the judge:

"I think there are a lot more influential Republicans than that [Time list] would suggest," Romney said. "But was that the issue on the most beautiful people or the most influential people? … I’m not sure. If it’s the most beautiful, I understand. We’re not real cute.”

It sounded like he was reaching for self-deprecating and came up short and implied something he didn't mean to, but perhaps I'm giving too much benefit of the doubt. Palin has since joined the National Council for a New America, along with Romney, Jeb Bush, Bobby Jindal, Eric Cantor, and former running mate John McCain, but the feud, she will not end so quietly!

Rush Limbaugh took to the mic to defend Palin against slights, claiming Bush and Romney and others "hate" and "despise" Palin. And, now Palin-backers are coming to her aid with this well-done take-off on the famous Reagan "Bear in the Woods" ad. Theirs is called "Bore in the Woods" and features Benny Hill theme music. Given that, I have no choice but to award this round to Palin.

[NordP]

I really like Romney, but he was referring to Rush and Sarah in that sentence. It really turned me off....for the first time. I thought it was so beneath him to do that. I'm sure he wishes he could take that sentence back.

My other thought was, ONE of the reasons I like him so much is that he can speak so well. Nothing shakes him. He gives well thought out, concise answers and he would be fantastic in a debate -- I'll never have to bite my nails watching a debate again. So, when he said this, I thought ...this guy doesn't say anything without thinking, perhaps this is how he REALLY feels. He of all people should know better than to goof on someone for their beauty. I'm sure he doesn't like it when people comment on HIS looks, rather than his achievements.

It saddened me to hear him say what he did. This will hurt him.

[NordP]

Me too. We need to use our energy to fight the REAL bad guys = dems, who are “Capone-ing” our country.

[jla]

"I think there are a lot more influential Republicans than that [Time list] would suggest," Romney said. "But was that the issue on the most beautiful people or the most influential people? … I’m not sure.

Definite and intended slighting of Sarah Palin and Rush Limbaugh.

If it’s the most beautiful, I understand. We’re not real cute.”

The 'clumsy self-deprecating humor' part of Romney's partially veiled tantrum.
Note: Although Rush, admirably, has come to Palin's defense that lady herself has uttered nary a negative word about her Republican brethren.

[Donald Rumsfeld Fan]

"That video is really, really bad." I found it more childish than entertaining.

The video is pure genius if you understand the symbolism.

The Bear is the Soviet Union Reagan had to slay. Straight from a Reagan campaign ad during the height of the cold war.

Message: Mitt can't fill Reagan's shoes, Sarah can. Mitt is a wuss.

Sarah and Mitt will most likely be the front runners for the 2012 GOP ticket.

[rob777]

I understand the symbolism and still found it childish. We have too many real issues to deal with right hear and now to get into a contest of personalities. I am no fan of Romney’s but I am also no fan of an approach that is purely a personal attack and does not adress ANY real issues. I am also not at all interested in the jockeying going on for 2012 when we have 2010 coming right up.

[rob777]

"Although Rush, admirably, has come to Palin's defense that lady herself has uttered nary a negative word about her Republican brethren."


She is adult enough to stick to addressing REAL issues and not get into the sand box with the children and stoop to personal attacks.

[Scythian]

[Donald Rumsfeld Fan]

I am also no fan of an approach that is purely a personal attack and does not adress ANY real issues

We will always have issues. But if we can't elect people with courage and character who can deal with them we are wasting our time.

"Courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees all others." Winston Churchill.....

[rob777]

"But if we can't elect people with courage and character who can deal with them we are wasting our time."



One way to achieve this is to display a little character and not jump into the sand box with the children by stooping to personal attacks. Reagan did not need such nonsense to win, and Palin wisely seems to be avoiding this tactic herself.

The politics of personality over principle leads to personality cults and then to a dictatorship.

[Donald Rumsfeld Fan]

One way to achieve this is to display a little character and not jump into the sand box with the children by stooping to personal attacks. Reagan did not need such nonsense to win, and Palin wisely seems to be avoiding this tactic herself.

But we Palin supporters certainly can.

The "Sandbox" is where the real fight is engaged. During the general election it is normally assigned to the VP.

The general public is impressed more by personalities than issues. It's a fact of politics.

[Donald Rumsfeld Fan]

The politics of personality over principle leads to personality cults and then to a dictatorship.

My candidate Fred Thompson came out with the most exhaustive and impressive set of postion papers of any candidate. It was virtually ignored.

[rob777]

"But we Palin supporters certainly can."


Have fun. I am much more interested in discrediting the direction that Obama and the Democrats have us heading for a possible 1994 style rebellion in 2010. When this is done, then I will turn my attention to 2012.

[MortMan]

BUCK teeth!

[rob777]

"My candidate Fred Thompson came out with the most exhaustive and impressive set of postion papers of any candidate. It was virtually ignored."


Fred was my candidate as well. The problem is that we have become a nation of personality worship with a short attention span. The political campaign style that focuses on personalities, while I admit is effective, is also part of our problem. I just do not see how we solve this problem by becoming part of it. Sure, it may give us a short term political victory, but in the long run we would be aiding and abetting a process that is slowly destroying our culture.

[RobRoy]

It was so bad, I didn’t even think it was funny. I honestly didn’t know exactly WHAT it was trying to communicate.

[ABQHispConservative]

All I got to say is that at least someone is trying. It might not be professional grade, but someone out there is passionate enough to get of his/her ass and do something.

[Victoria Delsoul]

I watched the video. It’s hilarious.

[RobRoy]

Trying is not always above “not” trying. And sometimes doing a thing can be worse than not doing anything at all. I know this. I’ve been to Karaoke bars.

[Earthdweller]

LOL!

[ABQHispConservative]

Good point, especially with the Karaoke bars.