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Regarding Palin's Indecision: Maybe She's Telling the Truth
Real Clear Politics ^ | 06/06/2011 | Scott Conroy

Posted on 06/06/2011 8:42:01 AM PDT by SeekAndFind

The first leg of Sarah Palin's nationwide bus tour may have raised more questions about her political future than it answered, but one inference is no longer in doubt: She is having fun.

At just about every stop she made along her East Coast jaunt, the former Alaska governor took in the scenery, chatted amiably with locals, signed autographs and always seemed to have a smile on her face while she was doing it. And whenever members of the "lamestream media" shoved audio recorders and video cameras in her face, Palin cheerfully and thoroughly answered our questions, often lingering far longer than her small team of aides and daughter Piper would have liked.

"This week of touring was one of the best weeks of my life," Palin told Fox News Channel's Sean Hannity at the conclusion of the trip. "The fire in the belly -- it rages on."

Many of Palin's fervent supporters have taken comments like this as proof that she has already decided to run for president.

SNIP SNIP

Comments like that provide Palin skeptics with "aha!" moments that confirm their belief -- steadfastly adhered to since her 2009 resignation as governor -- that her only interest is in making money and boosting her celebrity and that the presidential feelers are mere ploys to keep the media's attention focused on her.

But perhaps there is a simple answer to whether Palin will run that neither her most ardent fans nor her inside-the-Beltway critics seem to fathom: She truly hasn't decided yet.

(Excerpt) Read more at realclearpolitics.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: indecision; onenation; palin; potus; sarahpalin
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To: bigjoesaddle
I also think this is a “Screw You Media” tour. With her actions she it telling the press, “I don’t need you, I don’t trust you, I KNOW you are the enemy.” It is up to the media to become trustworthy. (good luck on that one)!

Agreed. And it warms my heart to watch her smack down the media. I wish all the R's would take a page out of her book.

41 posted on 06/06/2011 1:38:11 PM PDT by iceskater (11/2/10 - the beginning of the beginning of restoration.)
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To: Wolfstar

You do not need to hope for anything. Most Palin supporters are far more hardnosed and realistic than you are. I support her because she has a proven track record as a consistent rock ribbed conservative. She has also put herself squarely against Obama, in no uncertain terms. If she starts to fudge or waffle I will leave her in a flash.
Sarah is one of at least 4 potential candidates who stand squarely as conservatives and who vigorously oppose Obama’s destruction of the US. I guarantee you if Sarah is elected and begins to flip flop on basic principles I will be marching in front of the WH agaist her.


42 posted on 06/06/2011 2:20:44 PM PDT by Louis Foxwell (For love of Sarah, our country and the American Way of Life.)
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To: Forty-Niner

MB might be there as the GOP elite to siphen support from SP. Reward for MB will be to be Mitt’s VEEP.


43 posted on 06/06/2011 3:24:36 PM PDT by Piers-the-Ploughman (Just say no to circular firing squads.)
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To: TexasFreeper2009

interesting idea: but how does she gauge her support by randomly meeting people. Is she going out of her way to meet people who dont like her and ytalking to them? How does she do that on this trip in any meaningful way?


44 posted on 06/06/2011 3:26:04 PM PDT by Piers-the-Ploughman (Just say no to circular firing squads.)
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To: 9YearLurker
"Completely on the far outside without a scintilla of insider information, it sure looks to me like she’s planning, and looking forward to, a run."


Her most recent statements point in the other direction:

“Not only do I love my freedom of not having a title and being a declared candidate — that is liberating — I know you can make a difference as an individual,” she said. “Hopefully, I can inspire others to know that you don’t need a title. You don’t need to be in office to affect positive change.”

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0611/56243.html
45 posted on 06/06/2011 3:29:18 PM PDT by rob777
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To: Covenantor

“Beyond a visit to memorable historic sites,I believe her tour is also a re-tracing of the internal conflicts of a safe passivity or dangerous duty that our founding fathers faced. I think she is finding new strength in her communion with them.”

actually, this may be the best interpretation out there. I dont really see how she gauges her level of support in such random brief meetings. This is like someone going to Church, visiting shrines, before undertaking a very arduous task.

As much as I want SP to be president, part of me also hurts for her and her family, knowing what they will go through on our behalf, if she runs, much less wins. Prayer is very much needed.


46 posted on 06/06/2011 3:31:04 PM PDT by Piers-the-Ploughman (Just say no to circular firing squads.)
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To: rob777

Nah, that’s just her reasoning for not announcing yet.


47 posted on 06/06/2011 3:39:13 PM PDT by 9YearLurker
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To: 9YearLurker
Perhaps, but this part of the quote would indicate it is a little more than that:

“Hopefully, I can inspire others to know that you don’t need a title. You don’t need to be in office to affect positive change.”

This is very similar to what she said when she stepped down from her position as Governor.
48 posted on 06/06/2011 3:42:24 PM PDT by rob777
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To: Louis Foxwell

I doubt that I’m telling you anything you don’t already know, but if she runs and wins, get ready for what might appear to be a tactical “softening” of her stance on certain issues once in office.

Even Reagan had to “give” a little at times. I doubt she’ll give much on the big picture agenda, but whatever she does in getting legislation through will be “spun” by the LSM in a way to try to divide her base, in hopes of showing dissension among the ranks (via broadcasts of protests in front of the WH).

You can bank on it.


49 posted on 06/06/2011 4:19:10 PM PDT by Let_It_Be_So (Once you see the Truth, you cannot "unsee" it, no matter how hard you may try.)
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To: rob777

She has said that a number of times since she stepped down. If she told Fox she had decided to run, she’d be out of her contract, and she’s not ready for that.

On the other hand, I really want her to run and fear that we’re basically screwed (Romney will be our nominee, Obama will get reelected) if she doesn’t. So I’m probably none too objective.


50 posted on 06/06/2011 4:20:20 PM PDT by 9YearLurker
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To: 9YearLurker
"So I’m probably none too objective."


It is hard for anybody with an opinion to be totally objective. To you credit, you are honest about this.
51 posted on 06/06/2011 4:28:39 PM PDT by rob777
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To: Piers-the-Ploughman

“Reward for MB will be to be Mitt’s VEEP.”

My sense is that Conservatives like MB will refrain from hitching their wagon to Mitt Romney in any way, shape, or form.

Both his and his former staff’s treatment of Sarah Palin during, and post, the 2008 elections is warning enough for most pols that Romney is not to be trusted.

Mitt is being proped up by the east coast RNC establishment.....people that MB is most often fighting against.

Politics often makes for strange bedfellows, but Romney/Backmann is so preverse as to be against the law (or at least should be).....LOLOLOL

and #2

Michelle and Sarah are friends......not backstabbing friends........


52 posted on 06/06/2011 4:35:38 PM PDT by Forty-Niner (Palin/West 2012)
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To: Piers-the-Ploughman
I would think that if large crowds greet her where ever she goes... it would dramatically increase her chance of running.
53 posted on 06/06/2011 4:52:49 PM PDT by TexasFreeper2009 (Obama = Epic Fail)
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To: Forty-Niner

you may be right, but T-Paw /MB doesnt work, both from MN

Cain-MB no Santorum-MB no

Does MB really think she can win? her negatives will go sky high too. they may be friends, but then why is she running? Does she really think that people who dont like SP will like her? That the media will be fair to her ? I think she is at the behest of GOP elites who want to siphon support from SP. A Mitt-MB team, it could be a consolation for us FRtypes, help us to come out, just like we did for McCain (ugh)


54 posted on 06/06/2011 5:01:34 PM PDT by Piers-the-Ploughman (Just say no to circular firing squads.)
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To: Louis Foxwell

You know...telling me what I do and don’t need to hope for is way out of bounds. So is making unfounded assumptions about how realistic and “hardnosed” I am. You don’t know me.

Sarah Palin is, indeed, a political conservative, which I welcome. It isn’t her political views that give me pause, but other very important qualities. The modern presidency is really three jobs in one: CEO of the behemoth federal bureaucracy, commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and ceremonial head of state. So far, I don’t see qualities in her that make me comfortable she can handle the job. It isn’t enough to have the right ideology, although it’s a critical aspect. So I’m waiting to see how the campaign develops before committing to any candidate.


55 posted on 06/06/2011 5:39:18 PM PDT by Wolfstar ("If you would win a man to your cause, first convince him that you are his friend." Abraham Lincoln)
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To: Wolfstar

Stop projecting. I am talking about myself, not you. You do not have a clue about me.


56 posted on 06/06/2011 6:09:30 PM PDT by Louis Foxwell (For love of Sarah, our country and the American Way of Life.)
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To: Piers-the-Ploughman

” they may be friends, but then why is she running? Does she really think that people who don’t like SP will like her?”

Because they are friends, Michelle is running.....she is acting as Sarah’s stalking horse. The tactic is simple enough for any to understand. She will attract some of the irrational/media influenced, but nominally conservative anti Palin people, hold them fast to TEA Party Conservative ideals, and begin the process of their conversion to the Palin camp.....and she has 1 1/2 years to do it....an eternity in political time....in the end, Michelle will throw her support for Palin, and campaign mightily for her....... count on it!

“Does MB really think she can win?”

No! See above.......

“I think she is at the behest of GOP elites......”

The Party elites are the ones that both Sarah and Michelle are fighting in their efforts to move the Party to the right and out of the hands of the Moderates.....Why would Michelle join forces with them against Sarah? Not logical in my view. You may want to rethink that. (PS Neither Sarah nor Michelle are in it for fame or fortune....that idea is just another one of the media/lefts meme that doesn’t stand up to scrutinity.)

“That the media will be fair to her ?”

No Republican (unless you’re a John MacCain Moderate/Country Club type) expects the media to be fair to them. Quite the opposite. That isn’t the issue. The issue is wresting control of the GOP from the Moderates. Both Michelle and Sarah are dedicated to that goal...remember that Palin succeeded in that effort in Alaska......in effect she’s gone “national” with those efforts. Michele started the Congressional Tea Party Caucus....Michelle reward, if she is searching for one at all, will be Boehner’s replacement....She’ll be one heck of a Speaker, and is well suited for that position.

A Mitt-MB team, it could be a consolation for us FRtypes, help us to come out, just like we did for McCain (ugh)”

That sort of stuff won’t work twice....no sale! 2012 will be very different than 2008. The Republicans, conservatives of both stripes (fiscal & social,) and Conservatives, after 4 years of radical Democrat rule of the Congress and 2 years of a failed far left B. Obama as C in C, will insist on the real thing during the primaries.......Mitt is as phoney as they come, and as I stated above a “no sale” for the party base that will decide the primaries........

I suggest that you re-examine your idea that Romney is a viable candidate (or trying to push that meme????). Sorry, but the media/moderate party elite/DNC are not picking our nominee..(unless YOU help them, which you seem to be intent on accepting as an eventuality?????)

Buck up my FRiend, you and I are the ones that decide the direction and tone of the Republican Party.....we failed to exercise our control in the past, and let the moderates take over. We cannot afford to let that happen today or in the future....


57 posted on 06/07/2011 9:43:41 AM PDT by Forty-Niner (Palin/West 2012)
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To: Forty-Niner

rest assured, i have been a monthly sarapac donor since july 2009 and gave to a presidential race for the first time only when Palin was announced. i am one of the good guys.

you have thought of a different scenario. i hope you are right.


58 posted on 06/07/2011 3:37:15 PM PDT by Piers-the-Ploughman (Just say no to circular firing squads.)
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To: Forty-Niner

http://hotair.com/archives/2011/06/07/bachmann-consultant-ed-rollins-palin-hasnt-been-serious-for-years/

Many (?most) of the posters here sense like I do that MB is the establishment’s way to siphon support from Sarah Palin.


59 posted on 06/07/2011 3:55:27 PM PDT by Piers-the-Ploughman (Just say no to circular firing squads.)
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To: Piers-the-Ploughman

“Many (?most) of the posters here sense like I do that MB is the establishment’s way to siphon support from Sarah Palin.”

BTW how is the 1% support that Michelle enjoys gonna damage Sarah? Especially at this stage of the game....I seriously doubt that Michelle’s polling will improve much over where they are now.

Most that post here, with some notible exceptions, are very naive, and subject to personality of the day enthusiam(s). I am reminded, being a 49er, that all that glitters in the pan is not gold.

History tells us that, like Duncan Hunter, Michelle’s prospects are of 2 types....slim and none.

Like Duncan, Michelle is a stalwart Conservative Republican, and I admire both of them greatly, but their political forte is best used in the House.

As we both agreed in previous posts, Michelle and Sarah are friends. If we think that one of them can be used by the Moderates to knock the other out, we’ll need to rethink our opinion of that person. Seriously, I doubt that either one of them would allow themselves to be “used” like that.

If you are saying that some moderates will support Michelle in order to detract from Sarah, you are probably right.....there are people like that, I went to high school with a lot of them......that tactic fails because they aren’t leaders and trying to play Pied Piper is beyond their capability. A few, but not many, will follow them.....A lot of games get played.....I am not fooled....

BTW “Jump on the Bandwagon” propaganda techniques only work on the ill/mis informed.....


60 posted on 06/07/2011 11:31:02 PM PDT by Forty-Niner (Palin/West 2012)
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