“Lacking the foibles of Gingrich and Santorum, Palin would have been a far more effective anti-Romney candidate because her strengths accentuated Romney’s weaknesses. Romney is known as the Etch A Sketch candidate; Palin is aggressively authentic. Romney is seen by many as a moneyed elitist; Palin is the conservative class warrior, happy to slam the ‘crony capitalism’ that benefits both big labor and big business. Romney’s limitations have been revealed, one by one, in the course of the primary campaign; Palin was well-vetted by the press in 2008 and has nothing left to say or do that would surprise us.”
[...]
“Polls suggest that many voters agree with Romney’s approach to the economy but think he lacks empathy for the struggles facing the middle-class. Were she in the race, you can bet your bottom dollar that Palin wouldn’t score so low on compassion and authenticity.”
“Most important, Palin has the character and reputation necessary to break out of the Republican Party’s demographic prison. In matchups with Obama, Romney’s core vote is financially comfortable seniors. He pulls even among all men and folks aged 35-54.”
“The Republicans desperately need a candidate who can appeal to lower-income voters, who can rally men, who can gain women’s votes, who can bring out conservatives in large numbers and who can appeal to a younger demographic. All these things happened in the 2010 midterms, when the GOP made inroads into blue-collar households and middle-class suburbs on a policy platform virtually embodied by the Alaskan maverick.”
“The GOP needs a Tea Party candidate — either Sarah Palin or someone very like her. Alas, it’s going to have to wait until 2016 to get its rogue.”
http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/29/opinion/stanley-sarah-palin/index.html?hpt=hp_bn7
[...]
“Polls suggest that many voters agree with Romney’s approach to the economy but think he lacks empathy for the struggles facing the middle-class. Were she in the race, you can bet your bottom dollar that Palin wouldn’t score so low on compassion and authenticity.”
“Most important, Palin has the character and reputation necessary to break out of the Republican Party’s demographic prison. In matchups with Obama, Romney’s core vote is financially comfortable seniors. He pulls even among all men and folks aged 35-54.”
“The Republicans desperately need a candidate who can appeal to lower-income voters, who can rally men, who can gain women’s votes, who can bring out conservatives in large numbers and who can appeal to a younger demographic. All these things happened in the 2010 midterms, when the GOP made inroads into blue-collar households and middle-class suburbs on a policy platform virtually embodied by the Alaskan maverick.”
“The GOP needs a Tea Party candidate — either Sarah Palin or someone very like her. Alas, it’s going to have to wait until 2016 to get its rogue.”
http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/29/opinion/stanley-sarah-palin/index.html?hpt=hp_bn7
this is a really excellent analysis, and I am going to share it around if that's okay... I will credit you if you like, but I think it really has a clear perspective, and I know lots of people looking for one now.. thanks for posting.
Seems to me, Sarah Palin or another tea party candidate could do us a good service by running for president on a third-party ticket in 2012. I take it as a given that Romney’s nomination would lead a good number of conservatives to stay at home in November, and that he’s a sure loser against 0bama. If a lot of conservatives do stay at home, it will mean not only a second term for 0bama, but a Democrat Senate and Nancy Pelosi back in the Speaker’s chair.
If Palin or another conservative with populist appeal ran on a third-party ticket with Romney the Republican nominee, it would at least ensure that conservatives came out to vote, and prevent Democrats from taking the House.