Posted on 02/13/2010 8:31:36 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Sarah Palin has proved that she can draw a crowd. What she has yet to demonstrate is that she can translate the appeal of a phenomenon into a political force that can attract or mobilize sizable numbers of voters.
The former Alaska governor is the Republican Party's biggest celebrity. She has given voice to a grass-roots movement grounded in anger with Washington and President Obama's policies. But her political future remains in question. Is she presidential timber? A force only within the Republican Party? A protest candidate like George Wallace (minus the racial divisiveness) or Ross Perot?
--snip--
"Right now, she is a figure like [George] McGovern or [Barry] Goldwater, two candidates who led the most intense movements in our country's political history, but who couldn't win the middle."
If Palin harbors presidential ambitions, she has a huge mountain to climb. A new Washington Post-ABC News poll found that 71 percent of Americans do not think the politician who was Sen. John McCain's running mate in 2008 is qualified to be president.
Those numbers are so daunting that some Republicans who otherwise admire what she has accomplished doubt that she will run in 2012. Others say that unless she can transform attitudes dramatically, she cannot hope to win a general election. Still, GOP strategist Phil Musser said, "if she ran for president today, she would be the Republican nominee."
Musser's comments are notable because he is an adviser to Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R), who is eyeing a 2012 candidacy of his own. Palin's political future remains "very much an open question," Musser said, "but the intensity that she brought to the ticket in 2008 hasn't faded, and one could argue that perhaps it's been enhanced."(continued)
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Oh good. Ping me.
Oh geeez, not another Marine wife! Met on last night on here! You might have guessed my service!
because it is no longer the right and left in this country. Its the elites and the public.
those on the “right” attacking her want to keep their gravy train running just like those on the left.
the Mitt folks see Mitt has the good times of bush and rove and Obama continuing. they see Palin as a threat to them.
Oh, and Snow bunny.
Not hardly.
Just an ordinary American.
That's whut they're skeert of.
She’s not the one though. There has to be someone more electable with her views. She will be ripped apart but the leftist media.
Navy,right? Ha
I agree with you, airborne, and the criticism here is sometimes valid and sometimes just plain needless and democrat sounding.
Like you, I think she’s done herself exceedingly well since she’s been on her own. She’s changed the national conversation more times than I can remember right now, and she commands instant media attention whether she wants it or not.
I love what a writer in Scotland said about her; s/he called her “Godzilla in heels” - !!!!
Sarah is plain spoken and that seems to just kill the elites while it thrills me to no end. She calls herself and us “Common sense conservatives.” I think that’s right.
Don’t remember that one.
Yeah. The smart ones :-)
I love that pic of her!!!!
Claimed to be an actress who traveled with the Bob Hope show. She was here for a long time. Sugary sweet and loved by all. I forget what blew her cover, but it wasn’t pretty.
Though I have to tell ya, as a young Midshipman I did some training at Quatntico (volunteered). They took us to a briefing where the Gyrenes had figured out what war they would be fighting in 10 years (this was in 1971). They were absolutely right. We’re fighting it now.
You would go out on the vast ocean of water with no land in sight on a metal float and call that smart? Sheesh, I skeert of water. If the good Lord wanted me to swim he’da give me gills.
Yeah, but you can’t dig a foxhole on a deck.
Now that is smart.
We had the ‘puters!
indeed
those were the days...I came in after the stain on the dress time
Until that time Palin deserves the leadership position because SHE is the ONLY one doing those things and saying what she is saying.
As far as the left media ripping her apart. funny but they have tried their best for the last 18 months and i see she is standing strong and while wounded some. she is whole and ready to reengage in the fight. Let me know when that “someone else” comes on the scene and takes what the media gave to Palin and asks for more like Palin has.
until that time give her the respect and the seat at the table of power she has earned. she is teflon.
I know, I know, That’s why it’s not smart. No place to go but the deep six.
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