Wind...I heard the exact same things from people here about Sharon Angle and O’Donnell and a bunch of others in 2010. I told them in 2010 they were crazy, and I was right. It’s one thing to win a primary and be loved to the core by the base. It’s quite another to win a general election.
Anything is possible, but more than likely she cannot win. You thought the media savaged her last time, wait until this time around. This election will come down to independents and too many independents don’t think she has the mettle to run this country. Don’t get me wrong, they don’t think Obama does either. So what happens is they sit it out or vote some 3rd party candidate and Obama wins anyway.
I love Sarah, but she cannot win. She cannot take enough of the swing states that the GOP must win to capture the WH. Pennsylvania being one. Virginia being another. She might be able to win Ohio, but she trails there now as well. She needs ALL THREE of those states, not just one.
Because the election isn't today. It's in fifteen or sixteen months.
And Sarah hasn't started campaigning.
And all you've seen or heard from all sides has been anti-Palin, pro-Obama.
Better go tell Karl Rove nobody is listening, and you'd like a new set of talking points.
Speaking of Rove, check out Rove's historical numbers here.
Cheers!
Hey Fred, your 'chicken' mentality is not what this country needs right now. Hate to be so blunt with you, but if we don't get this country turned around with an effective leader in 2012, it will be because of people like you.
Pawlenty can't win. He lacks the forceful personality required of the job. He is smart, has good ideas, I like him, but he can't win.
Palin can't win. I'm from Texas and we're about as conservative as it gets. I meet people all the time that like Palin in general, but not as a candidate. I think they view her as scattered and not earnest. She doesn't know what she wants and Texans like to know what a person's intentions are. My mom is 89 and hardcore republican, but wouldn't vote for a "woman" as president. Old school, thinks the job is cut out for a "man." Disagree or agree, you have to ask yourself how many others share that view, even if you don't.
Romney could possibly win. I hope he doesn't. He has the money, name recognition, stature and personality. His being Mormon will cost him a lot of votes. Agree or disagree, just how it is.
Cain doesn't stand a chance. Nobody knows him, not a very eloquent speaker. Mirrors a lot of other candidates' thoughts. Good dude, just not ready for the big seat yet.
Bachmann actually plays better to a lot of Texans that I know, than Palin. For whatever reasons, they like her better. But she lacks the killer instinct. Has a deer in the headlights expression when caught off-guard. People don't like that.
Gingrich is toast. Good-bye. George Will lit your raft on fire and sent you downriver, single-handedly. Adios.
Santorum doesn't have the money or mustard to get it done. Good dude, I like him. Not gonna win...sorry.
Ron Paul. goodbye. Return to the looney bin now.
Rick Perry. Hear me out now. Here, you have a tall and handsome Texan with swagger. He has the stage presence of a Romney. The little old ladies are gonna like him. His religion is mainstream. Good track record. Creates jobs. Pro-business. Got it done in a huge state, during a horrible national economy. Served in the Air Force, former pilot. I think this is the guy that can rise to the top in a hurry and WIN against Obama.
Get your butt in the race Mr. Perry.
With all due respect, and acknowledging your accurate observations about Angle and O'Donnell, Sarah Palin is in a completely different league than those two candidates. The playing fields of their respective battles are quite different, as well.
In a nutshell, Palin has a quality of character, and a track record of accomplishment that set her apart from the pack. She has a latent level of support among the public that is gargantuan, but remains untapped and unmeasured, only due to the fact that she hasn't officially declared her run for office. She is also feared by the opposition to a degree little seen in our lifetimes.
In short, she is without question, the most formidable Republican challenger that most of us have seen in decades. She will win the nomination, if she runs, and I believe that she will squash Obama like a bug in the general election.
It would take me far too long to lay out the many, many observations that have led me to this conclusion, so suffice it to say that I've seen an overwhelming amount of evidence that indicates this outcome to me.
I don't know what data you're using to support your conclusion, but I can almost bet that you've failed to factor in all of the available evidence.
I think you're going to lose money on your bet this time, Fred. It'll be some of the best money you ever spent :-)