The Death of the Sarah Palin Campaign Has Been Greatly Exaggerated

September 17, 2011 | SamAdams76

[SamAdams76]

Much speculation going on the past few weeks with regard to Sarah Palin and whether or not she will be a presidential candidate for 2012. As we move through mid-September, the majority of those speculating have decided that she is not going to run. Even among those who remain hopeful that she will run, they seem to have given up on the prospects of a Palin candidacy, many of them holding the opinion that even should she enter the race at this point, it will be "too late".

Three questions for those who are convinced that Palin is not going to run:

• Has Palin ever declared or even indicated that she was not going to run this election cycle?

• Has Palin missed any filing deadlines for any of the caucuses/primaries in 2012?

• Aside from the Fox News contract, which can be terminated once she formally seeks the presidency, has Palin made any non-political commitments that would extend into the 2012 campaign season (i.e. renewing her "Palin in Alaska" TV Show)?

If you can answer YES to any of the above questions, then you can make the case that Palin is not running for president. However, as the facts stand today, the answers to all of the above are an unequivocal NO.

I also have a multiple choice question for those who feel that it is now too late for Palin to get into this race:

Which of the following presidents announced their candidates prior to October of the year before their election?

a) Bill Clinton
b) Richard Nixon
c) Ronald Reagan
d) None of the above

If you answered: d) None of the above; you would be CORRECT! All three of those presidents announced their candidacies relatively late in the process. To be precise, Bill Clinton announced his candidacy on October 3, 1991. Ronald Reagan announced his on November 13, 1979. And then we have Richard Nixon…he of the high negatives, who waited until January 31, 1968 to announce his candidacy. All three of these candidates not only won their elections handily, but were re-elected four years later. Another interesting factoid: All three of these presidents were considered divisive and had relatively high negative approval ratings throughout their presidencies. They were mostly beloved by those who supported them but were loathed by the opposite party. Yet in the case of Nixon and Reagan (easily the two Republican presidents who are most despised by the political Left), they were both re-elected in two of the largest landslides in presidential history.

Enter Sarah Palin. Like Clinton, Reagan and Nixon before her, there is not much middle ground with respect to where people stand on her. They either love her or hate her. Yes, she is divisive and her entry into the race is going to generate some very strong emotions on both sides of the political fence. But she is a game-changer and perhaps just the person we need at this point in our history to lead our nation out of the abyss that it is currently in. Can she win if she get in? Yes, you bet she can! It probably won't even be close.

The stakes are very high this coming election year. Our nation simply cannot endure another four years under a corrupt and incompetent president who has reduced our standing in the world, degraded the health of our nation and is now in the process of destroying our future prospects. As Ronald Reagan said of the Carter Administration during the 1980 campaign, an "unprecedented calamity has befallen us." Only this time, under the Obama Administration, the calamity is far, far worse. We are now suffering under a chief executive who is not only the most unprepared and unable man to ever hold the office, but one who holds un-American socialist views and surrounds himself with others who feel the same way and who are looting our tax dollars right under our noses to reward themselves and their cronies. Our current president got himself elected with the empty slogan of "hope and change" and once he got into office, he proceeded to destroy all hope and while he brought plenty of change, none of it is good. His supposed solution to our failing economy is to tax working Americans out of more of their money so that it can be flushed away on socialist government programs that are doomed to failure and transferred to people who are either unable or unwilling to work.

It is for these reasons that many Republicans want to play it safe again this election year. Rather than getting behind somebody who can advance the conservative cause, many feel it is more prudent to elect somebody that they believe can more easily beat Obama. Which basically means a watered down Republican who supposedly has appeal to "moderates" and "right-leaning Democrats" (such as those who crossed over and voted for Reagan in 1980 and 1984). This has proven to be a FAILED strategy time and time again.

It is that very line of thinking that has saddled us with weak "RINO" nominees in the past like John McCain, Bob Dole and George Bush (both of them). I simply do not understand why so many conservatives feel that we need a watered-down RINO in order to win a general election. RINOs tend to LOSE general elections, and even when they win, it is usually in a squeaker that produces no mandate for change and with little coattails so that we end up with a mixed Congress. The result is that very little changes - even in the best case scenario, the conservative cause does NOT get advanced using this strategy. The end result is we have a weak president that usually gets replaced by a Democrat.

Ronald Reagan was the last "true" conservative that represented the Republicans in the White House. Yes, he was divisive and polarizing. His negatives were always high because liberals and Democrats did not like him one bit! His approval rating in his first term rarely went over 50% and his negative approval ratings were consistently in the 40s - peaking at 53% negative in January 1983 (just before the recovery started building steam). For those old enough to remember Reagan's first term, it was a very exciting time to be an American. We were transformed from the malaise of the Carter years to a respected world superpower once more with a roaring economy to go with it. This was all brought about not because Reagan tinkered with the economy like Obama and his henchman are trying to do. It was brought about because Reagan did the best he could to lessen the tax burden on both citizens and corporations and to move federal government OUT OF THE WAY as much as possible. Reagan succeeded because he allowed capitalism to actually work. Reagan truly believed that a rising tide could lift all boats while on the other hand, Obama's administration seems intent on draining our economic system so that our corporations and businesses are all run aground or stuck on sandbars.

Now back in the early days of the 1980 campaign, there were whispers in Republican circles that Reagan "can't win the general" and that his nomination would result in another four years of Carter. The knock on Reagan was that he was too extreme, too divisive, too polarizing. Many Republicans of the day felt that we would be better off with George H.W. Bush (with whom much of the establishment got behind early on) and even when Reagan sewed up the nomination, the anti-Reagan feelings were still so strong that moderate John Anderson was encouraged to break from the Republicans and run an Independent campaign.

So lets circle back to Sarah Palin. Now it is not my intention to state that Sarah Palin is another Ronald Reagan. But I think I can state with confidence that Sarah Palin is the best conservative candidate the Republicans have had on a national level SINCE Ronald Reagan. It is apparent that the liberal mainstream media and the Democrats feel the same way because how else could you explain their non-stop three-year crusade to absolutely destroy and marginalize her? I am sad to say that many conservatives have sat on their hands while allowing the other side to "Dan Quayle" Sarah Palin and even sadder to say, some of those conservatives are going right along with the program, by themselves hurling the same arrows at her.

If we sit idly by and allow a fine American like Sarah Palin to be destroyed, simply because she poses a threat to the establishment status quo, then we might as well just turn in our conservative card now and move on over to the other side. Because if we allow Sarah to be destroyed, we have just given the Democrats the necessary blueprint to ensure that another Ronald Reagan is never allowed to emerge again. They will simply destroy any good candidate that we have early on, thereby ensuring that only the John McCains and the Mitt Romneys will ever represent us at the national level again.

Also, I am sick and tired of hearing about how Sarah has waited too long to get into this race and that she is playing her followers for fools. Listen up people, we are still MONTHS away from the Iowa caucus and as mentioned at the top of this article, Sarah has not missed any of the filing deadlines. So why all the hand-wringing that it's "too late…too late"? So why the rush to embrace Rick Perry because he is our "only hope." Now as a Palin backer, I'm not saying that I'm not going to support Rick Perry should he get the nomination. But it's too darn early to be rallying around Perry and settling for second best now when we have other announced candidates still in the race that better represent the conservative cause such as Herman Cain, Rick Santorum and Michelle Bachmann? Yet before the first meaningful vote is cast and before the first delegate is assigned, many of us are already saying those three (in addition to Palin) have no chance to win!

Why are we allowing the mainstream media and a few polling outfits decide for us who should be in the running for the Republican nomination? It's too early to be looking at polls. Let's focus on the candidates who will best advance the conservative cause and support them while they are still in the race. It appears that mainstream media want to shove Romney and Perry down our throats - why do you think that is? It is because those two represent less of a threat to liberalism and the entrenched establishment in Washington. Even if one of those two beat Obama, not too much will change. Neither of those two candidates have the coattails that will result in taking back the Senate and perhaps creating a super-majority in the House. Yet a Tea Party conservative like Sarah Palin can definitely achieve that and that is what has the liberals scared to death - especially after the shocker of the 9th Congressional district election last Tuesday. We've got the liberals on the run - why stop the momentum now? I have no doubt that Palin will get into this thing and when she does, we just might be able to secure a massive mandates a year from November and get ourselves out of the mess that we are in.

I will end this column with the following lines from Ronald Reagan's acceptance speech at the 1980 Republican convention:

"The major issues of this campaign are the direct political, personal and moral responsibilities of Democratic Party leadership - in the White House and in Congress -- [who are responsible] for this unprecedented calamity which has befallen us. They tell us they have done the most that humanly could be done. They say that the United States has had its day in the sun; that our nation has passed its zenith. They expect you to tell your children that the American people no longer have the will to cope with their problems; that the future will be one of sacrifice and few opportunities.

My fellow citizens, I utterly reject that view. The American people, the most generous on earth, who created the highest standard of living, are not going to accept the notion that we can only make a better world for others by moving backwards ourselves. Those who believe we can have no business leading the nation.

I will not stand by and watch this great country destroy itself under mediocre leadership that drifts from one crisis to the next, eroding our national will and purpose. We have come together here because the American people deserve better from those to whom they entrust our nation's highest offices, and we stand united in our resolve to do something about it…(snip)

Can anyone look at the record of this administration and say, "Well done?" Can anyone compare the state of our economy when the Carter Administration took office with where we are today and say, "Keep up the good work?" Can anyone look at our reduced standing in the world today and say, "Let's have four more years of this?"

I believe the American people are going to answer these questions the first week of November and their answer will be, "No--we've had enough." And, then it will be up to us -- beginning next January 20th -- to offer an administration and congressional leadership of competence and more than a little courage.

Ronald Reagan - July 17, 1980 at the Republican National Convention

[smoothsailing]

I have no doubt that Palin will get into this thing and when she does, we just might be able to secure a massive mandates a year from November and get ourselves out of the mess that we are in.

I look forward to that.

I currently support Rick Perry, and would welcome the opportunity to support Sarah Palin were she to become an announced candidate. I've said many times that I thought the two would make a fine General Election ticket. I've called them my dream team.

In keeping with your correct assertion that we should not now annoint Mitt Romney or Rick Perry, but look to more conservative candidates such as Santorum, Cain, or Bachmann, that certainly must apply to Sarah as well. Let's not annoint anyone until we've seen the primary process play out over the coming months.

This doesn't mean we shouldn't advocate for a particular candidate if we are so inclined, and it would be in the best interests of Free Republic to do so in a spirit of civility and good cheer.

And may the best man or woman win! :)

[rob777]

"I suppose the one justifiable question all ask, at one time or another, is why? Why wait soooooo long?"


One possible reason is $$$. The speculation and drama generates a lot of it. Another is the possibility that she craves the attention of the spotlight.

[New Jersey Realist]

Palin has heard the fat lady sing.

[healy61]

She is a buffoon? Where did that come from?

[HotKat]

Every time you post this, I smile. Thank you.

[Finny]

Actually, it is a cat and mouse game.

LOL!!! BINGO!

It's a deadly serious high-stakes game. And I think of Bette Davis in "All About Eve" -- "Not mouse. Never mouse. If anything, rat."

[Semper911]

That’s an awful lot of words to say something that could be said in a few.

SamAdams76 never misses an opportunity to type up a nine-mile long wall of text. It's just Sam being Sam.

[WVKayaker]

The ship has sailed. And Gov. Palin, contrary to the beliefs of her acolytes, cannot walk on water.

I wouldn't vote for Palin now if you paid me. This isn'r a cat and mouse game.

Until she declares, I don’t see the need for discussion of the topic.

Sarah has become a caracature of herself and painfully buffoonery is not now too far off. -rita

Spiro Agnew is attributed to speaking the phrase "nattering nabobs of negativism". It was written for him by his speechwriter, Bill Safire. I think we have a choir full!

I laugh every time I see these statements from the PDSers, herein. There may be less than air among their brains, or less than honor within their breasts.

Most importantly, they are unimportant, except to themselves. I seriously doubt Sarah Palin would consider their advice. I doubt that they would seem more than buzzing nuisances. Let it suffice, that they always repeat the same canards, begging for attention.

My personal goal is to raise lots of money for SarahPac. I have amassed and/or contributed much already. I see Sarah Palin as an opportunity for restoration, should she become our President. She has already proven her value to the Conservative movement and the TEA Party. She is always on message, seeking to destabilize this present administration, and bring attention to the problems he is causing, not to herself. She is a PATRIOT, first.

There is no doubt in my mind she is running...

Click to learn more about her...

Elect Sarah Palin for President 2012

Re-Elect President Sarah Palin 2016

[EDINVA]

Primaries are a different animal from the general election. It’s when there’s usually not a great deal separating the candidates, so the emphasis thru the primaries is on those differences, not the big picture. I think all of them (save Ron Paul) could properly identify the actual enemy.

[SamAdams76]

Thoughtful comments on your part but I disagree that there is total silence from Palin. She gave two speeches over Labor Day weekend in both Iowa and New Hampshire and those were political speeches that you would only expect a candidate to give. She posts articles on a regular basis on subjects that you would expect a candidate to expound on. There are PACs raising money on her behalf and some semblance of a ground operation being put together.

Why so long? Well I just got done posting here that at this point in the election cycle, neither Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan or Richard Nixon (1968) has announced. And all three did get elected (and then re-elected).

My guess on the wait would probably be that Palin already has the name recognition, has a couple books out, so immediately upon entry, she'd be an instant contender so why the rush? Also, she might be waiting for the current field to settle out a little and maybe she was hoping more would have dropped out of the race by now besides just Pawlenty.

[Sacajaweau]

I truly hadn't decided but I certainly will/would, of course, vote Republican.

When Perry came on board, I felt I had a choice that I really liked.

Never really took Palin seriously. And like I've recently concluded: she's running for s media job...not the Presidency.

[nfldgirl]

If what you say is true - is the “reality” - then why doesn’t she announce that she’s NOT running? Why keep up the speculation?

[Finny]

How many times are you going to post this? It is SPAM. A great majority of the posters in her qualify for president, so what!

I for one appreciate ASA Vete's constant reminder and lovely photo (a variety in rotation, apparently) accompanying it that are always present on these threads. It's short and sweet and if you've seen it before (as most of us have many times!) it's fast and simple to scroll past, unlike REAL spam on FR that practically takes up several square feet of screen space, takes up to a minute or more of pure annoyance to scroll past, and which its abusers post many times to the same thread. On the otherhandm, ASA Vet's "spam," as you call it, is like a rose, a pleasant little extra, IMO.

ASA Vet, from me, I say, keep up the good work and THANK YOU. It's "spam" I don't mind seeing one bit, and I appreciate that you limit it to one per thread.

[Josephat]

Have you read her books? or watched “The Undefeated”? You are very INCORRECT in your assessment. Educate yourself and then do your assessment.

[Sacajaweau]

Good thing you didn’t have any spelling errors!!!

[SamAdams76]

That’s an awful lot of words to say something that could be said in a few.

Don't you know I get paid by the word?

[winoneforthegipper]

Ur a cheap suit...

But hey cheap suits look good with a bowtie!

[prisoner6]

Anyone But Obama.

Word is McCain is thinking about running. Santorum is already in...NO MORE RINOS! My efforts will go elsewhere.

The republicans in general, and here in Pittsburgh the Hillmans whom my family was involved with politically, have been hugely disappointing to me.

They really think that they can threaten or toss me a bone and move on.

NO MORE.

Every election is played as " the most important to our country in our lifetime" by those folks. I want to work to make the elections AFTER 2012 - 2016 not as important.

I also understand your sentiment and don't mean to sound confrontational. It's all just discussion at this point.

[dusttoyou]

Where I come from its called Brown-Nosing.

[vicar7]

I think all of them (save Ron Paul) could properly identify the actual enemy.

Only Newt correctly and continuously identifies the enemy that I have seen.

The rest provide fodder that could eventually give aid and comfort to him.

Debates are for watching folks implode rather than state their case.

It is also important to know so far most folks are not engaged in watching debates.

When Sarah hits Iowa running all bets are off. She will be positive, and positively know her enemy and call him out for the fraud he is.

Folks for some reason cannot nor will not stop watching Sarah then.