Posted on 07/20/2010 9:26:30 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
When Sarah Palin burst (is there any other verb that describes it?) onto the political scene, as John McCain's running mate in 2008, she was the little-known governor of Alaska. After a rousing speech at the Republican National Convention followed by an unfortunate litany of gaffes, it became obvious that many thought she was not ready to be a heartbeat away from a 72-year-old president.
But that was then, when her family, or at least one pregnant teen-age daughter, overshadowed anything she had to say, which in itself may have been a blessing. Most talking heads and many Americans, it seemed, had written her off, and wished she would just return to her home in Wasilla, there to hunt moose and resume her duties as governor.
And then something unexpected happened. Palin resigned as governor, wrote a best-selling book, had a one-hour guest shot on "Oprah!" followed by appearances on cable news, and started to tour the chicken dinner circuit. She commands tens of thousands of dollars for a speech, and when she spoke at a Tea Party convention, she brought the house down.
People were starting to take Sarah Palin seriously. Very seriously. And now, an endorsement from Palin in political races can make a huge difference. Nikki Haley, a little-known candidate, won the Republican nomination for governor of South Carolina, thanks in big part to Palin's backing. In California, she has endorsed Carly Fiorina against Barbara Boxer in the U.S Senate race.
Through her political action committee (SarahPAC), she is raising money - less than a million so far - but that's surely going to balloon as the 2012 election approaches.
Will Sarah run? Does she have a chance to win the GOP nomination? The presidency?
More than three-fourths (76 percent) of Republicans think she has a chance to be president, according to the Gallup Poll; 44 percent of all Americans think she has more than a fighting chance. Compare those numbers to Mitt Romney, who is favored by 54 percent of Republicans and 36 percent of all Americans, the poll found.
You betcha those numbers are something to behold.
Each week we invite readers to give us their opinions, pro and con, on a topic in the news. This week's questions:
Do you think Sarah Palin has what it takes to be president? Do you think she will get the GOP nomination? If not, do you think she would be the Tea Party candidate? And, if the election were held today, and Palin were the candidate (from whatever party) would you vote for her? Could she beat Barack Obama? Why?
When you respond, please resist the one-liners. We're looking for longer, more reasoned, responses that answer all our questions and explain why you think the way you do.
All responses must be submitted via e-mail by 5 p.m. Thursday. Your name, city and daytime phone number (for verification) must be included. Please state your party affiliation. We'll publish some of your responses Monday in the Letters column.
The e-mail address for submissions is question@presstelegram.com.
Who did you vote for, or support, in that Georgia race?
I think Sarah could carry all 57 states.
We have a guy who quit the Senate to be President, and a guy who quit the Sentate to be VP.
Hucksterbee looks like Gomer Pyle,,,Go Sarah.
I think this was amistake on Palin’s part. Was she trying to ingratiate herself with the RINO blue bloods who preside over the RNC? Likely.But it has cost her far too much.
Even the military knows that regrouping is sometimes necessary.
I wish she had campaigned for Hayworth instead of McCain [and she chose other moderates elswhere.]
Other than that, she’s great! I’m glad she’s critical of the Ground Zero Mosque. I’m glad she’s taking borders seriously. [McCain is apparently a separate matter to her.] She believes in Reaganomics. She loves our fighting forces. She and her family have been vetted and tested thoroughly. She understands how to keep energy affordable. She understand’s energy’s vital role.
I also like her energy, style, and sense of humor. While others gripe about her voice, I’m like most conservatives — her voice is refreshing abd uplifting.
Ping.
The writer is making a statement without proof. They refer back always to that sandbag interview she gave to Couric. When the questions there are contrasted with questions other politicians are asked it was plain to see (i just did exactly what the writer did,statement without proof)she was being held to a different standard.
I don’t call one’s unwed teenage daughter getting pregnant a ‘gaffe’. To term it so demonstrates the level to which the writer will stoop to prove his unproven statement.
Not a bit, if you actually study her record, which you obviously have not done. Her track record of accomplishment as governor is as good as Jindal's, and she is a lot better candidate. Charisma DOES matter. That may be unfortunate, but that is the reality.
And another poster asked....who is YOUR preferred candidate?? I'll ask the same thing Romney??
Obozo a rock star? Crock star is more like it.
Palin is a breath of fresh air on a stale one-party system driving America over a cliff!
Help!
Do I think Sarah Palin has what it takes to be president?
Yes.
However, evidence has proven that while it may be demanding of ones time, it does not take a supreme intellect to be president. For the most part any sentient adult of some accomplishment could do the job and perform it as well as Obozo has and they might even perform better.
While I agree it doesn’t take a true genius to be president, it would take nerves of steel, which I don’t have. I think we are seeing that our current president doesn’t have them either.
I agree about the nerves of steel, and it takes some balls too. Both of which Obozo has not.
She has also gone to visit our troops. Who else has? You sure do repeat the dem talking points well, though.
Really and what has she accomplice for the cause before and after you say she quit...
You saying she quit is like saying some one in the SF quit the military because they chose to go in to unconventional forces ...some time the best operation is not going the heavy conventional route but going to small light and detach units...
Sarah Palin did not quit, she went unconventional, Guerrilla political warfare on Obama and the Left, and she has been highly effective in doing it
So who did you vote for or support in that race?
Nathan Deal is a close friend of Lynn Westmoreland, my Congressman (also a rock-ribbed conservative and a very fine man). Unlike Karen Handel, Nathan Deal has never voted to fund Planned Parenthood, and has never been a member of Log Cabin Republicans.
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