Posted on 06/11/2011 1:36:32 PM PDT by Brices Crossroads
While I freely concede that both Michele Bachmann and Rick Perry have a right to run for President, it is impossible to overlook the fact that their recent benefactress, Sarah Palin, is rolling out her own Presidential campaign at the same time. This would not generally be extraordinary. In politics, alliances are sometimes (although not regularly) forged and broken. However, in my forty years or so of close political observation, I cannot remember an analogous situation in which the beneficiaries of one politician turn on their benefactor (especially a benefactor as conspicuous as Palin) so shortly after having obtained and used the benefactor's endorsement and appearances to secure both campaign cash and votes. In fact, not since Judas hustled away to the Chief Priests from the Last Supper has there been such a propinquity between the favor and the betrayal. I predict that this disloyalty, spotlighted by the freshness of the favors spent upon these two by Palin, will sour the stomachs of GOP primary voters who tend to place more emphasis on character, which is to say: loyalty. Americans despise disloyalty. Disloyalty and its associated character flaws are a tragedy in a human being, but they are a catastrophe in a President. The association, in the American psyche, of disloyalty and the traitor, Benedict Arnold, bespeaks the level of national revulsion with this particularly poisonous character flaw.
Michele Bachmann, by all accounts, faced a tough reelection fight against State Senator Tarryl Clark, a more attractive and far better financed ($4 million war chest) candidate than she had faced in in 2008, when she narrowly beat lightly regarded and under-financed lobbyist Elwyn Tinkenberg by less than 3% of the vote. At Bachmann's request, Palin rode to her rescue early, appearing on her behalf at a packed rally of over 10,000 in Minneapolis on April 8, 2010, which was nationally televised on Sean Hannity's FOX program. Bachmann parlayed Palin's endorsement and high profile support into a fund raising bonanza of $13.4 million, which she used to swamp Clark. Indeed, the lopsided money advantage freed her to travel around the country campaigning for others and posing as the real TEA party heavyweight. Armed with this Palin-generated largesse, she easily beat Clark by 12%, the largest margin of victory in her career, including her two state Senate Races. Now she is using the balance of these "thirty pieces of silver" to pay odious characters like Ed Rollins to smear Sarah Palin as "not serious" and too lazy to "gain substance" in contrast to Bachmann, who "ha[s] worked hard" and been "a leader of the TEA party". Such treachery, which is both frank and fresh, makes me and every fair-minded person (whether pro- Palin or neutral) sick to our collective stomachs.
Rick Perry similarly faced a very competitive GOP primary against a sitting U.S. Senator, who is more liberal than he, and a solid conservative, Deb Medina, who was very popular with conservatives in Texas and nationally. In essence, he was squeezed from both directions, a challenge on the left and on the right. As she did with Bachmann, Palin went to Perry's aid early and often, endorsing him in the summer of 2009, ahead of the March 2010 primary. The first poll of Perry (by Rasmussen on September 16, 2009), which included both Hutchison and Medina, showed Hutchison pulling ahead of Perry 40-38, with Medina in single digits at 3%.
Perry crowed ad nauseam about Palin's endorsement in order to prevent Medina from gaining real traction and eclipsing him among conservatives. At the time of the endorsement, Perry had this to say about the value of Governor Palin's endorsement and their warm personal friendship:
'Facing a tough Republican primary fight next year in his bid for a third term, Gov. Rick Perry of Texas is brandishing the heavy artillery: Sarah Palin's endorsement of his campaign."If there's a bigger endorsement in the Republican universe, I don't know who it is than Sarah," he declared in a telephone interview over the weekend. He described the Alaska governor and 2008 vice presidential nominee as a "close personal friend" who knows my heart."'
As Matt Lewis observed in the article, "Palin's nod is indeed an asset for Perry, helping him cement his appeal to social conservatives in the Lone Star State." While Perry never again fell behind, even Palin's endorsement could not totally blunt the momentum for Deb Medina, who continued to rise in the polls, reaching a high point of 24% on February 7, 2010, three weeks before the primary, and reducing Perry's showing to 39% (Hutchison had 28%). Enter Palin again. She appeared at a nationally televised rally in Houston that drew over 8000 people on Super Bowl Sunday, February 8, 2010. After the rally, Medina never again broke 20 in a poll.
With Palin's conspicuous and staunch support, Perry barely beat back the challengers in March 2 primary, winning 51% to 30% for Hutchison and 19% for Medina. Even with Palin's support, Medina nearly forced a runoff, so great was conservative revulsion with Perry in Texas. Had Palin backed Medina as strongly as she backed Perry, it is quite possible that Medina and Hutchison would have been in a run off, and Perry would have been odd man out. Had Palin done nothing for Perry, it is a foregone conclusion that he would have faced a tough runoff. In other words, Perry owes Palin his political hide.
As I said at the outset of this article, both Perry and Bachmann are free to run for President or any other office for which they are constitutionally qualified. The First Amendment however also grants observers the right to express themselves on both the timing and the circumstances of their putative candidacies as well as their previous interaction with "close personal friends" who come to their aid. In assessing both Perry and Bachmann, conservative voters should ask themselves the following question: "In light of how these two have conducted themselves toward Sarah Palin in the last year or so, do you trust either of them---should they be elected--not to double cross you?"
I believe that question answers itself.
I rarely use the term n00b, but you rate it.
Governor Perry holds office. DUH. He’s supposed to sign legislation.
Do not post to me about him. He is a friend of Sarah Palin’s. He is not a foe. She helped him get elected.
He just might be HER VP.
Try to learn.
Sarah Palin is the only person speaking publicly about the GOP platform.
Maybe you should read the Republican Platform and Going Rogue before you show your ignorance.
“She is the unshaken face of Courage.”
Woop-de-do. How does she govern, and act as a chief executive?
Oh yeah, she quit.
Officially, Bachmann has not announced the formation of her exploratory committee but she's saying she will announce it soon.
Palin says she's no where near announcing one.
Bachmann has been acting like a candidate, Palin has not.
I don't know, perhaps she will get in but until she gives stronger signals, there is very little indication she is running.
Okay, you go ahead and believe what you wanna but calling out Rollins publicly and apologizing for his remarks would cast a pall on the next manager, which she desperately needs.
The better way to handle this is have a talk with Ed in private and let him know he has a green light to to everything he does but running down a friend is not how we are going to continue.
Then when he and Michelle part ways the next guy will come in without fear of being dressed down in public.
Besides, it would only serve to make Michelle look hysterical or whatever pejorative seemed appropriate to skin her with.
She has been consistently Conservative. All politicians act Conservative when an election is approaching. Any Conservative legislation signed by Perry, etc., in recent months means diddly squat. (This is not intended as an attack on Perry.)
She quit after the frivolous ethics charges cost Alaska $2million. If she’d stayed you’d be bitching about how much it cost for her to stay.
What do you mean you’re not sure she can govern? Have a look at this and don’t tell me she can’t govern:
Governor Sarah Palins Accomplishments that garnered her a whopping 92% approval rating:
Energy Independence, Development, and Environmental Stewardship
*Governor Palins cornerstone accomplishment is AGIA (Alaska Gasline Inducement Act). During the Palin administration, TransCanada and Exxon formed an alliance to build a natural gas pipeline from Alaska to the Lower 48. Under Governor Palins governance, the project was expanded and revised from what previous governors had proposed with an open policy process for the Alaskan people. More progress was made on this effort than in the previous 30 years. This is the largest private sector infrastructure project in North American history and helps put us on the path to energy independence.
*Governor Palins administration opened up drilling for oil and natural gas at Pt. Thompson for the first time in decades.
*Governor Palin created the Alaskas Petroleum Integrity Office to oversee all aspects of energy development and to make sure oilfield equipment was safe to operate and a Climate Change Subcabinet to comprehensively and honestly evaluate climate change.
Fiscal Conservatism
*Governor Palin reduced earmark requests for the state of Alaska by 80% during her administration, requesting only earmarks that would benefit the country as a whole.
* Governor Palin reduced spending in her budget for Fiscal Year 2010 by more than one billion dollars from the previous governors Fiscal Year 2007 budget, a 9.5% real reduction in spending. Her FY2010 budget was $10.57 billion compared to Governor Murkowskis FY2007 budget of nearly $11.7 billion. At the same time, she fulfilled her campaign promise to forward fund education, allowing districts greater flexibility and predictability in their planning.
*Governor Palin opposed much of the “stimulus”, wanting only to accept 55% of the money allocated to Alaska, specifically only dollars dedicated to infrastructure [projects. Although the Alaskan legislature ultimately overturned her veto, she stood firm on her commitment to help Alaska to become more self-sufficient while not adding to not add to the skyrocketing national debt.
* Governor Palin invested $5 billion in state savings.
Walking the Walk on Fiscal Responsibility
*Governor Palin sold the private jet purchased by the previous governor. She state it was an unnecessary financial burden on the state and was unable to land on many of the states landing strips.
* To cut costs that would be incurred by continuing to use a personal driver like previous governors, the governor drove herself from Wasilla to her office in Anchorage. She also dismissed the governors personal chef stationed in Juneau, Alaskas capital.
* Governor Palin accepted less state per diem for herself and her family than her predecessors even though she had a larger family.
10th Amendment Advocacy/Promotion of State Constitution
*Showing that she is a strong supporter of the 10th amendment, Governor Palin advocated for the sovereignty of the state of Alaska.
*Governor Palins administration sued the federal government for placing the polar bear on the endangered species list, as this restriction affected energy development which would increase energy costs.
*A Constitutionalist, Governor Palin signed Alaskas Clear and Equitable Share (ACES) bill into law. The Alaska constitution states that the Alaskan people own the oil and other resources. This law ensures that the “owners”, the people of Alaska, receive a clear and equitable share of oil profits.
National Defense/Veterans
*Governor Palin supported ground-based missile defense Ft Greely and other Alaskan Bases around to protect America from Americas enemies. She criticized the Obama administration for cuts that they made to this national defense system.
*Governor Palin, with Senators Murkowski and Begich, fought for retirement benefits from the federal government that were due to the Alaska Territorial Guard members who fought during World War II. These benefits were eventually rewarded to these veterans by the federal government.
* Governor Palin visited Alaskan soldiers in Kosovo and Kuwait.
Transparency/Anti-Corruption
*Governor Palin signed bipartisan ethics reform legislation into law that helped to hold both the legislative and executive branches accountable.
*Governor Palin put the state checkbook online, allowing all constituents to see how state money was being spent.
Health Care
*Governor Palin introduced health care transparency legislation which aimed at putting information in the hands of consumers about cost and quality of health care as a way to make health care consumer driven and accessible.
Sanctity and Dignity of All Life
* Governor Palin strongly supported both parental consent and parental notification legislation.
*Governor Palin increased educational funding for special needs children.
*Governor Palin implemented the Senior Benefits Program to support low income seniors.
Positions Held while Governor
* Chairman of the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission.
*Vice Chair of the National Governors Association Natural Resource Committee.
* She served as chair of the Alaska Conservation Commission, which regulates Alaskas most valuable non-renewable resources: oil and gas. She was elected by her peers to serve as president of the Alaska Conference of Mayors. In this role, she worked with local, state and federal officials to promote solutions to the needs of Alaskas communities.
She exposed legal violations and conflicts of interest of Alaska Republican leaders, including the former state Attorney General and the State GOP Chairman (who was also an Oil & Gas Commissioner), who was doing work for the party on public time and supplying a lobbyist with a sensitive e-mail. Several went to jail.
Governor Palin signed several pieces of legislation and resolutions during July 2009. They were:
SB-125: Encourage aerospace development in AK
SB-177: Extend sunset for sport fishing guides and address harvest data collection
Pro-energy development and missile defense resolutionsHJR-27: Alaska a Sovereign State
HJR-25: Hydro-Electric a Renewable Resource
HJR-28: Oppose Federal Restriction on Oil and Gas Development
HJR-12: Support Missile Defense System
SB-88: Power cost equalization
Defending Second Amendment rights.SB-201: Extends Concealed Carry Permit Expiration to 5 Years from Birthday
HJR-17: Urges Congress not to pass HR-45.The federal legislation would put burdensome licensing and registration controls on individual gun owners.
SJR-10: Urges Congress to pass S-371. The legislation was to ensure that citizens of each state who are licensed or authorized by their home state to carry a concealed weapon, could do so in another state as long as they comply with the laws of that state.
SJR-3: The resolution expresses support to Congress for repealing the ban on carrying a firearm on National Park Service lands.
SB-3 Requiring information sharing between two agencies.
HRJ-19 Supports requirement of escort for loaded tankers traversing Prince William Sound.
The Governor appointed 29 people to boards, commissions and councils and made three judicial appointments between July 6, 2009 and July 26, 2009.Governor Palin’s total appointments for 2009 was123, including 116 to boards, commissions and councils, five judicial appointments, one legislative and one attorney general. Governor Palin averaged one appointment every 1.67 days during 2009.
The Governor vetoed $28.6 million in stimulus money that would have involved federal interference with the state of Alaska.
Governor Palin signed bills removing experience caps on teacher’s salaries and extending boat safety programs.Governor Palin signed legislation that gave struggling charter schools a one-year grace period to increase enrollments or integrate with other charter schools. She also signed legislation that authorizes Alaska “to enroll in the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children.”
Governor Palin signed legislation granting birth certificates for stillborn babies
Governor Palin signed legislation authorizing the state to fund retirement benefits for Alaska Territorial Guard veterans. The federal government ceased funding benefits on April 1, 2009
Governor Palin signed legislation safeguarding student loans
Sarah Palin was Commander of the Alaska National Guard. Alaska is the first line of defense in our missile interceptor defense system. The 49th Missile Defense Battalion of the Alaska National Guard is the first line of defense unit that protects the entire nation from ballistic missile attacks. Its on permanent active duty, unlike other Guard units in the United States. As governor of Alaska, Palin was briefed on highly classified military issues, homeland security, and counterterrorism daily.
Governor Palin was the commander in chief of the Alaska State Defense Force (ASDF), a federally recognized militia incorporated into Homeland Security’s counterterrorism plans.
"Sarah has not been serious over the last couple of years"
"She got the vice-presidential thing handed to her. She didn't go to work in the sense of trying to gain more substance. She gave up her governorship."
Bachmann did not apoligize for, nor disagree with any of the above remarks made by her campaign manager.
I believe that's a clear indication that she supports those kinds of attacks against Palin.
Okay, you go ahead and believe what you wanna but calling out Rollins publicly and apologizing for his remarks would cast a pall on the next manager, which she desperately needs. The better way to handle this is have a talk with Ed in private and let him know he has a green light to to everything he does but running down a friend is not how we are going to continue. Then when he and Michelle part ways the next guy will come in without fear of being dressed down in public.
Okay, you believe what you want. I'll believe what is appropriate.
Bachmann's representative Rollins made public statements about Palin. It's certainly appropriate that Bachmann say so publicly if she disagrees with what Rollins said about Palin.
To not do so indicates, either Bachmann agrees with the Rollins statements about Palin, or she doesn't agree but she is too afraid to do what is appropriate,
Short and sweet..to the point.
Geeze. Put the bong down already!
Does not promote the GOP platform.
Name what she doesn't support. Oh and most "Republicans" don't support the platform.
She will be the Ross Perot of 2012.
Hardly. Perry is a Rino. I won't vote for him. Ever.
The way she manipulates those MSM idiots, she may "not run" for months more. 'Course her opponents may file FEC complaints because they can't afford for her to keep "not running." LOL.
There’s nobody like you for clarity!
Back off fellow Hoosier..let the delusional have their day. Reality comes in the morning. Perls to swine...
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