Sarah Palin is at the top of her party

Politico ^ | Thursday July 22, 2010 | Roger Simon

[Bigtigermike]

More than 13 months ago, I wrote a column that began: “Sarah Palin can be the Republican nominee in 2012. I am not saying she will be, but she can be. Those who underestimate her do so at their own risk.”

It was not the most popular column I ever wrote. I remember snickering and mockery from those who could not find actual vegetables to throw.

After all, as was widely believed at the time, Sarah Palin was an idiot. Her interview with CBS’s Katie Couric had proved that. And Palin’s approval rating as governor of Alaska, once so high, had plunged to 54 percent. (An approval rating I suspect President Barack Obama would love to have today.)

Sarah Palin was a hick and a rube. She was a gun-toting, snow machine-riding pitbull with lipstick, with a family that was portrayed as somewhere between a reality show and white trash.

Now, more than a year later, I have not changed my mind about Palin’s political potential. This is not based on the polls — especially a recent one showing her in a 46 percent to 46 percent tie with Obama in a hypothetical 2012 face-off. I don’t believe such polls tell us anything meaningful.

I am basing my belief now, as back then, on Palin’s ability to connect with the base of her party. Name a bigger name in the Republican Party today. Heck, name any name in the Republican Party today.

[eak3]

...let the Freeper Palin bashing begin...

[Daisyjane69]

I heard a noise. Wait. Just what I thought. Heads exploding. ...heh ;)

[ClearCase_guy]

The base is the key. I don't think the Republican establishment understands that -- they still take Conservatives for granted. Sarah understands the base and the base understands her.

I'm hoping I get to support Sarah in 2012. There are others that I would also happily support, but Sarah impresses me as someone who would try to clean house in a way that no one has done in a long, long time.

[RexBeach]

I like her.

We shall see about 2012. Anything can happen. The question is this: What is the likelihood that Gov. Palin will run and receive the nomination?

Thoughts?

[GT Vander]

Underestimate this woman at your peril. I find it interesting that she seems to be taking the same road as Reagan did after leaving the Governor's Mansion in CA. Reagan traveled, gave speeches, wrote extensively, did those five minute radio spots that he wrote out long hand, and campaigned for conservative candidates.

Sound familiar?

[rhombus]

There's no way Roger Simon is a Palin supporter or wants ANY Republican to win. Statements like this make his opinion clear: Besides, does the most serious human being always win? Did Al Gore? Did John Kerry?This guy thinks Gore and Kerry were more "serious" than Bush? What nonsense. The primary purpose of this article is to stir up the Palin versus Romney feud again and try to divide the GOP before the mid-terms. Will run down the field and kick at Lucy's football again?

[Bigtigermike]

Actually She does!

No one in the Party has shaped the 2010 election like her, she has literally brought Haley from dead to first in a matter of days and did the near similar thing to Handel....despite reservations of Carla Fiorna by many conservatives even to this day, Palin was able to legitimize her campaign......Her political enemies said in Alaska “don’t underestimate her”..........many FReepers, MSM and talking head did just that

[gov_bean_ counter]

Although I respect and admire Gov. Palin, I am very glad to read that Herman Cain is prayerfully considering a run...

[Northern Yankee]

Great article.

A few months ago I heard some libs tell me if Palin were to become president they would leave the country.

I offered to buy them their tickets. They were not amused, but I was!

[Carley]

LOLOL.......so now we are going to respond to anything in the PoliticO..........fed by true journOlists??????

ha ha ha.....they can all go straight to hell.

[WVKayaker]

I'm looking forward to the Inauguration Party!

[Daisyjane69]

I’m with you.

If we could only get them to sign their promises in blood and take them to the pier and help to load their luggage.

I’m totally up for that, btw. :)

[rj45mis]

“...let the Freeper Palin bashing begin...”

I’m sure they’ll show up with their venomous attacks as usual. I can think of 5 or 6 anti-Palin freepers right off the top of my head. They have so much seething hatred they can’t even acknowledge that she is a genuine political force who connects with everyday folks. This is one reason the leftists will always have an advantage over us in politics. They are much less likely to eat their own.

[668 - Neighbor of the Beast]

Sarah Palin definitely has drawbacks as a presidential contender: she’s a woman, her voice and delivery are not Churchillian, and one of her children is a slow learner (that would be Bristol). These things will continue to chafe, with the assist of the liberal media. Nevertheless, she’s a giant among pygmies and unless open primaries enable Dems to vote ABP, she’ll be the nominee and I would be proud to cast a vote for her.

[RayChuang88]

In my opinion, if Palin were to announce that she supports a MASSIVE overhaul of the income tax system to encourage Americans to keep their savings and capital investments in the USA, she would become the runaway leader for not only the GOP nomination, but likely trounce most any Democratic opponent in 2012.

[Diogenesis]

"Politico's Simon now on to a different part of
Romney's anatomy: "shoulders you could land a 737 on"

---

Politico's Simon: "Call me irresponsible:
I say Romney won"

---

Politico's Simon: "Sarah Palin was a hick and a rube.
She was a gun-toting, snow machine-riding pitbull with lipstick,
with a family that was portrayed as somewhere
between a reality show and white trash."

[Bigtigermike]

Actually...Roger Simon was talking about Mitt’s aides trashing Palin by saying “she isn’t a serious human being”...meaning Mitt “was” the serious human being, Simon basically said that being a serious human being like Gore or Kerry didn’t win them anything!

[Daisyjane69]

I posted here months ago:

I know exactly where I will be on 1/19/13. I’ll be in Washington, D.C. awaiting the inauguration of President Palin. I’ll be there with my son, who will be 27 by then.

There is no reason for me to change my plans. Things are falling nicely into place, in fact. By then, the two issues will be Romney/Obamacare and energy independence. If those are the issues at hand, Sarah wins.

[ConservativeWarrior]

...but Sarah impresses me as someone who would try to clean house in a way that no one has done in a long, long time.

And cleaning house is exactly what the country is going to be in the mood for come 2012.

My dream ticket? Palin/Christie