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.
“They” don’t want my feedback. 1) I don’t live there, and 2) I would write something intelligent in support of Palin, and that would never do.
That's what is known in the trades as a well-crafted ad hominum attack. You don't like what the poster said? Accuse him/her of being a liberal of some kind. Congrats.
“Congrats.”
It’s not often I get such kind words from interlopers. Thank you Zipper Liberty.
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