Sarah Palin: Cannibals in GOP Establishment Employ Tactics of the Left

Sarah Palin's Facebook Page ^ | January 27, 2012 | Sarah Palin

[Timber Rattler]

We have witnessed something very disturbing this week. The Republican establishment which fought Ronald Reagan in the 1970s and which continues to fight the grassroots Tea Party movement today has adopted the tactics of the left in using the media and the politics of personal destruction to attack an opponent.

We will look back on this week and realize that something changed. I have given numerous interviews wherein I espoused the benefits of thorough vetting during aggressive contested primary elections, but this week’s tactics aren’t what I meant. Those who claim allegiance to Ronald Reagan’s 11th Commandment should stop and think about where we are today. Ronald Reagan and Barry Goldwater, the fathers of the modern conservative movement, would be ashamed of us in this primary. Let me make clear that I have no problem with the routine rough and tumble of a heated campaign. As I said at the first Tea Party convention two years ago, I am in favor of contested primaries and healthy, pointed debate. They help focus candidates and the electorate. I have fought in tough and heated contested primaries myself. But what we have seen in Florida this week is beyond the pale. It was unprecedented in GOP primaries. I’ve seen it before – heck, I lived it before – but not in a GOP primary race.

I am sadly too familiar with these tactics because they were used against the GOP ticket in 2008. The left seeks to single someone out and destroy his or her record and reputation and family using the media as a channel to dump handpicked and half-baked campaign opposition research on the public. The difference in 2008 was that I was largely unknown to the American public, so they had no way of differentiating between the lies and the truth. All of it came at them at once as “facts” about me. But Newt Gingrich is known to us – both the good and the bad.

We know that Newt fought in the trenches during the Reagan Revolution. As Rush Limbaugh pointed out, Newt was among a handful of Republican Congressman who would regularly take to the House floor to defend Reagan at a time when conservatives didn’t have Fox News or talk radio or conservative blogs to give any balance to the liberal mainstream media. Newt actually came at Reagan’s administration “from the right” to remind Americans that freer markets and tougher national defense would win our future. But this week a few handpicked and selectively edited comments which Newt made during his 40-year career were used to claim that Newt was somehow anti-Reagan, and isn’t conservative enough to go against the accepted moderate in the primary race. (I know, it makes no sense, and the GOP establishment hopes you won’t stop and think about this nonsense. Mark Levin and others have shown the ridiculousness of this.) To add insult to injury, this “anti-Reagan” claim was made by a candidate who admitted to not even supporting or voting for Reagan. He actually was against the Reagan movement, donated to liberal candidates, and said he didn’t want to go back to the Reagan days. You can’t change history. We know that Newt Gingrich brought the Reagan Revolution into the 1990s. We know it because none other than Nancy Reagan herself announced this when she presented Newt with an award, telling us, “The dramatic movement of 1995 is an outgrowth of a much earlier crusade that goes back half a century. Barry Goldwater handed the torch to Ronnie, and in turn Ronnie turned that torch over to Newt and the Republican members of Congress to keep that dream alive.” As Rush and others pointed out, if Nancy Reagan had ever thought that Newt was in any way an opponent of her beloved husband, she would never have even appeared on a stage with him, let alone presented him with an award and said such kind things about him. Nor would Reagan’s son, Michael Reagan, have chosen to endorse Newt in this primary race. There are no two greater keepers of the Reagan legacy than Nancy and Michael Reagan. What we saw with this ridiculous opposition dump on Newt was nothing short of Stanlin-esque re-writing of history. It was Alinsky tactics at their worst.

But this whole thing isn’t really about Newt Gingrich vs. Mitt Romney. It is about the GOP establishment vs. the Tea Party grassroots and independent Americans who are sick of the politics of personal destruction used now by both parties’ operatives with a complicit media egging it on. In fact, the establishment has been just as dismissive of Ron Paul and Rick Santorum. Newt is an imperfect vessel for Tea Party support, but in South Carolina the Tea Party chose to get behind him instead of the old guard’s choice. In response, the GOP establishment voices denounced South Carolinian voters with the same vitriol we usually see from the left when they spew hatred at everyday Americans “bitterly clinging” to their faith and their Second Amendment rights. The Tea Party was once again told to sit down and shut up and listen to the “wisdom” of their betters. We were reminded of the litany of Tea Party endorsed candidates in 2010 that didn’t win. Well, here’s a little newsflash to the establishment: without the Tea Party there would have been no historic 2010 victory at all.

I spoke up before the South Carolina primary to urge voters there to keep this primary going because I have great concern about the GOP establishment trying to anoint a candidate without the blessing of the grassroots and all the needed energy and resources we as commonsense constitutional conservatives could bring to the general election in order to defeat President Obama. Now, I respect Governor Romney and his success. But there are serious concerns about his record and whether as a politician he consistently applied conservative principles and how this impacts the agenda moving forward. The questions need answers now. That is why this primary should not be rushed to an end. We need to vet this. Pundits in the Beltway are gleefully proclaiming that this primary race is over after Florida, despite 46 states still not having chimed in. Well, perhaps it’s possible that it will come to a speedy end in just four days; but with these questions left unanswered, it will not have come to a satisfactory conclusion. Without this necessary vetting process, the unanswered question of Governor Romney’s conservative bona fides and the unanswered and false attacks on Newt Gingrich will hang in the air to demoralize many in the electorate. The Tea Party grassroots will certainly feel disenfranchised and disenchanted with the perceived orchestrated outcome from self-proclaimed movers and shakers trying to sew this all up. And, trust me, during the general election, Governor Romney’s statements and record in the private sector will be relentlessly parsed over by the opposition in excruciating detail to frighten off swing voters. This is why we need a fair primary that is not prematurely cut short by the GOP establishment using Alinsky tactics to kneecap Governor Romney’s chief rival.

As I said in my speech in Iowa last September, the challenge of this election is not simply to replace President Obama. The real challenge is who and what we will replace him with. It’s not enough to just change up the uniform. If we don’t change the team and the game plan, we won’t save our country. We truly need sudden and relentless reform in Washington to defend our republic, though it’s becoming clearer that the old guard wants anything but that. That is why we should all be concerned by the tactics employed by the establishment this week. We will not save our country by becoming like the left. And I question whether the GOP establishment would ever employ the same harsh tactics they used on Newt against Obama. I didn’t see it in 2008. Many of these same characters sat on their thumbs in ‘08 and let Obama escape unvetted. Oddly, they’re now using every available microscope and endoscope – along with rewriting history – in attempts to character assassinate anyone challenging their chosen one in their own party’s primary. So, one must ask, who are they really running against?

- Sarah Palin

[Tribune7]

Listening to Rush pretty regularly, he’s not pro-Romney. You shouldn’t put him in the same category as Drudge whose been in the tank for Mitt since the race started.

[Timber Rattler]

Dr Boaz Shacham, an expert on amphibians and reptiles, told AFP that from looking at images of the smashed-up serpent online, it appeared to be a coin-marked snake (hemorrhois nummifer), a non-venomous species which resembles a viper.

Timber rattlers have fangs and are a little tougher to gnaw on.

"Though highly venomous, rattlesnakes are of mild disposition, and they usually do not strike unless provoked to. They also have the capacity to control venom while biting, and hence sometimes bite without venom."

[sport]

If the power in the Republican Party has any influence, Mitt will be the nominee. My take is that is what Jeb and his father met with obama for.To let him know that the election plans were still on track.

[GlockThe Vote]

BINGO!!!! This is all a set up. Obama gets to stay in office, GOP gains a few senate seats, not a majority, and holds on to the house.

That is the evil corrupt bargain being made.

[nikos1121]

The weird thing about all this is I don’t know a single Romney supporter. Maybe I’m in a cave, but who and where are these people?

On the other hand, the Newt supporters, are enthusiastic and Tea Party types.

What is going on with these polls?

I’m not in Florida, but are any Florida FRers on here today who can cheer us up? Don’t give up....Get out the vote on Tuesday.

[nikos1121]

Personally, I was for Romney in 2008 too. I didn’t know anything about the man other than he was a successful businees man who worked to make the Olympics successful. I thought he was heads above McCain and at the time with the economy collapsing he may have beat Obama.

But now it’s a different story. Anyone who doesn’t understand or see who Romney is, is naive or crazy. (I guess that sums up Ann Coulter).

Rush is wishy washy. In the end, he’s a very gutless fellow. He acts like he stays ahead of the curve, but he doesn’t. Like O’Reilly he pillars for all sides.

We’re on the home stretch here. The more Rush promotes Santorum, the more likely the guy will stay in the race and be the spoiler.

If he dropped out tomorrow, Newt wins. He won’t drop out, because the republican establishment wants him to stay in, and are threatening his future if he doesn’t.

[presently no screen name]

First of all. Sarah was never in the race. And no one could possibly believe Cain could win - it was all puff. That 'outsider/businessman' tactic doesn't work. Moreso, the reason for being an outsider was not because of a lack of trying as we know from Cain seeking election two times before. And Mitt being dumped out of MA and the '08 election.

Neither Cain nor Romney have past successes FOR America. Yes, they have plenty for themselves, their own pocket. I want to see someone who gave years of giving TO America that was positive. And Newt fills that bill - hands down! From early one - he put himself into America and not what America can give him.

Some immediately jumped on a candidates bandwagon without them having true knowledge of them. Listening to rhetoric is not knowing the person. It's like believing commercials - everyone has the best product.

No one, and I mean no one on FR was for Newt

You can't honestly say that because you don't know. It just sounds good. I know a few who were and I, personally, had NO candidate. I was able to watch the debates with an open mind because I didn't give a flip who won/lost. It's amazing the insight it offered, I saw tactics being played out. It was pitiful.

Now, as for others not being behind Newt - it's probably because they believed the media and their trashing Newt. This election was in play for awhile - Mitt knew he planned on running, again. So this campaign of his was in full swing since '08. We never saw any derogatory coverage of Mitt all these years did we as he wore the GOPE and liberal media cover. His backstabbing in '08 and after is known, but his bots choose to ignore it. If you have to lie and backstab - that's a sure indication you don't have much to go on. And, gee, looking at his record, he sure doesn't have anything going for himself but only his legacy of backstabbing and lying.

And who does he backstab? Conservatives and Sarah is one of them! FUMR! You will reap what you sow - it's a law in place like gravity is - you can't stop it. Not wise since the sins of the father, falls on his children for generations. Sorta like child abuse to feed his ego/pride.

[sport]

And the GOP runs Jeb in 2016 and he promises to repeal obamacare.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks onyx.

[nikos1121]

It’s one thing to give a half@ss endorsement as she has, it’s another to get down there on the bus and campaign with the man.

This would be a land slide for Newt right thru November if:

1. Santorum drops out now.
2. If not, Newt eykes out a win in Florida.
3. or Sarah comes down and campaigns with Newt. The crowds would go wild.

In summary, Santorum looks like he’s staying in to draw his 10% or so. If Newt loses FL, then there is no excuse for Sarah to stay out of this if Santorum stays in to Nevada because he’s there to derail Newt.

That’s the line in the sand. Newt can win this one on one, on the issues. Let’s get the two men together and debate the issues cleanly.

Santorum does nothing now except give us all ulcers.

Rick, you’re a good and decent man. But, you will NEVER EVER win the republican nomination. Who is telling you that you have a chance? Who?

And what if Newt wins in FL. Why are you staying in with that scenario?

[Behind Liberal Lines]

She’s right but Newt’s attacks on capitalism to get at Romney were every bit as much part of the problem she describes

[PapaBear3625]

Ummmm... Is that not what the Tea Party did in 2010?

And we need to stay focused on CONTINUING to concentrate on Republican primaries, and making sure that conservatives replace incumbent RINOs.

[manc]

Cracker, I felt like throwing her in the river with the Gators after that.
Hopefully when the warmer weather comes she’ll hate it here and some snakes, gators, hogs and scorpions will make her mind that she needs to sod off up north again.

She’s the type who will see the battle flag around here and then complain about it.

[manc]

My misses and I were so grateful to Perry for what he did.

He put ego aside, he put the country and conservatives first and that is what we need more.

If Rick S does the same the amount of respect he will gain will be enormous and will help him for the future as he is only young still

[Hotlanta Mike]

Romney’s negative ratings soaring among independents

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/romneys-negative-ratings-soaring-among-independents/2012/01/27/gIQAeVB1VQ_blog.html

[Timber Rattler]

She’s right but Newt’s attacks on capitalism to get at Romney were every bit as much part of the problem she describes

Yep, and as I've been arguing to deaf ears over the past two months, the "imperfect vessel" Newt is as much a part of the problem as Romney and the GOP-E. Newt is NOT the savior of the country that everyone is pretending him to be right now. And the point of Sarah Palin's message is that the GOP-E has finally exposed itself to be just as bad as the Left in how it seeks and maintains power.

[GlockThe Vote]

Great post Sarah!

FUMR!

[taildragger]

I think the (Not So)GOP wants to shoot themselves in the foot this election, I think the Party elites don't want to rise to the challenge of Rolling Back Government Hellcare and Ubama's other legislation, I think they are contented to sit in the background eating at the Taxpayer trough like the rest of them and only mildly issuing counter arguments to the Lib's. If they throw this Election I say to Hell with the Republicans, they will have gone the way of the Whigs, and we will start our own party (but won't that mean Democrat Victories) I say it sure as hell ain't making much of a difference now anyways!

Here here, great post.

If I had a nickel for every Freeper ready to write Sarah in or might sit this one out because like me they revile Romney, I could go out for a nice steak dinner.

I am going to send a warning out to the GOP/RNC. If you go with Romney you will get no volunteers like you did with the Tea Parties to give you big wins in 2010. You will get none of our money. YOU WILL GET YOUR @$$ HANDED TOO YOU. So, continue down your centrist road of me-too-ism's and forgetting Reagan Conservativism. I for one will not vote for the evil lof 2 lessers. I like many Freepers will go link up with other Tea Party Conservative types and form a new Party. It is sad to see a political party committ suicide, but I can't stop them, so I am going to leave them to their own devices. Sucks to be them...

[taildragger]

Now that most establishment Republicans have turned against him, I'm beginning to think that if Newt gets the nomination, that he will choose Sarah Palin to be his running mate. I also think that Sarah Palin will accept. Newt is 69 years old and may well decide to be a one-termer if he knows that Sarah is there to carry the flame of conservatism. Even if Newt is a two-term president, Palin will still be plenty young enough to run in 2020 and serve two terms on her own. We would see a much different Sarah Palin than the one we saw in 2008. She will be battle-hardened and seasoned. With Newt, she will be able to run the kind of campaign she wanted to run four years ago but wasn't able to - because she was held back by the McCain people. Could happen. But first, we need to get Newt nominated.

I have said this here as well as to my conservative friends to not rule it out. She brings the energy of the Tea Party with her to fill his volunteer centers, and she is vetted.

Newt has been around enough to know you need fill your team with a potential replacement, it is done in board rooms all the time.

I think Newt might do it as a form of poetic justice to the apparatchik's that tried to destroy him, if so I would laugh with him in glee as their heads explode as he does it...

[Timber Rattler]

Now, as for others not being behind Newt - it's probably because they believed the media and their trashing Newt.

That's not true. Newt has a long, documented record of pandering and coddling to liberals when it suits him. Heck, just go back to last May and June when he attacked Ryan and look at the posts on this board about him.

Here are a couple of good ones for example (including a lot of negative comments from many of his most ardent supporters today):

Gingrich endorses Scozzafava in NY-23 race ('Future of the party')

Gingrich Calls GOP Medicare Plan 'Right-Wing Social Engineering' (supports individual mandate)

Gingrich Apologizes to Paul Ryan for 'Right-Wing Social Engineering' Criticism

And he has been NO friend to Palin in the past when it counted:

Gingrich: ‘Strategic Blunder’ for Palin to Mock Obama as ‘Community Organizer’

Gingrich says Palin will not be the future GOP leader

And he admitted that he was trying to follow Obama on Libya this time last year:

Newt Gingrich Acknowledges ‘Contradictions’ On His Libya Views, ‘I Was Trying To Follow Obama’

Even JimRob himself once called Newt a genuine phony and at one point last November even said "Stick a fork in him. He’s done."

However, in the desperation to beat Romney and then Obama, many folks it seems are perfectly willing to sweep Newt's record for the past fourteen years under the rug for the sake of short term convenience. And anyone who dares to point out these unpleasant truths is now blasted on this board as an "agitator," a "fraud," and a "slanderer." (all names, among many others, that have been hurled at me personally because I refuse to sacrifice my Conservative principles and jump on the Newt bandwagon).

Newt is a very intelligent guy. I'll grant him that, but just as he has pandered to the Left and RINO element in recent years, he's figured out that he can win over the base by sounding like Sarah Palin in the debates. He even authored a well-known primer for new GOP congressmen in 1996 about how to manipulate the language to achieve one's political goals.

Unfortunately, a lot of good folks are buying it, hook, line, and sinker, and if he in fact manages to beat the GOP-E (which he was a part of until he got in Romney's way) and then Obama in the general, I guarantee that all will be disappointed in what they get from him.