Posted on 05/11/2011 8:17:16 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and businessman Donald Trump have formed a political bond, one united by their populist ideology and contempt for the mainstream media.
Their kinship grew during the height of the birther controversy. As Trump called on President Obama to release his birth certificate, Palin rose to Trumps defense, excoriating the press.
She blamed the media, not Trump, for the business moguls fixation on birtherism, telling Fox News: Donald Trump is the one being really treated unfairly, Id say in the press when theyre hammering him about the one issue hes merely answering reporters questions about his view on the birth certificate.
To Palin, Trumps crusade was merely a curiosity stoked by the media.
The media is loving the fact that some curious Americans are actually asking the questions, and theyre trying to make those curious Americans sound kind of crazy, she said about the birther movement one day before Obama released his long-form certificate.
When Obama released it, Palin promptly credited Trump for the action, tweeting, Media, admit it, Trump forced the issue.
For his part, Trump reveled in the attention Palin helped bring, telling The Wall Street Journal that she was so gracious to me on the birther issue. I mean, she really thought that I was doing a great service.
For better or worse, Palin has attached her seal of approval more clearly to the Trump phenomenon than any other potential presidential candidate.
This is surprising not just because its a controversial link, but also because the two share an ideological base, and in a normal political universe, that means theyd be natural foes when competing in a zero-sum game.
Yet Republican consultant Matt Mackowiak says that hasnt exactly happened.
They appeal to the same segment of the base, but rather than compete, they are holding hands.
For Trump, an association with Palin has obvious benefits. She has a rabid fan base, more political experience, a more serious mien, and a legion of followers who, ideologically, line up with Trump. Palins seal of approval is a powerful one, and if she vouches for someone, others often follow.
But its a risky prospect for Palin. Most think that her association with Trump can only hurt her, but others see value for her not because they think Trump is formidable, but precisely because they think he isnt.
So is her link with him harmful or helpful?
Harmful:
Those subscribing to this theory think Palin sullies her reputation by praising Trump.
Fox political analyst and Daily Beast columnist Kirsten Powers draws the link.
She has a real following; he is a circus act. She doesnt need him; he is the one who benefits from the alliance. She diminishes herself when she associates herself with this kind of hateful crap, Powers said.
Further, Powers says her fellow Alaskan needs to take her responsibility more serious and not get down in the mud with people like Donald Trump.
The essence of the argument is the proverbial saying that bad company corrupts good values. Or in this case, good political fortunes.
Helpful:
There are those who think Palin would actually benefit from a Trump presidential bid. At first glance, that appears ridiculous.
According to polls, Palins and Trumps support overlaps. That means theres a limited number of votes from which both draw, and theoretically, each would fare worse with the other in the race.
But that ignores a counterintuitive dynamic that might emerge and lift Palin outside her base and more firmly into the mainstream.
By all accounts, Trump is a celebrity first, politician second. If he entered the field, hed be The Political Celebrity the ultimate sideshow. Suddenly, Palins experience as governor of Alaska might look more impressive.
One GOP consultant, who asked not to be identified, described the heart of the argument: Trumps entry, he said, positions Sarah Palin closer to the establishment intelligentsia than otherwise possible.
When presented against the backdrop of Trump and his orange mane, Palin might look more electable and serious.
To the average voter who finds Palin an exceptionally polarizing and equally unprepared presidential suitor, the former Alaska governor doesnt seem quite so bad when opposite the sheer vulgarity of Trump, the consultant pointed out.
Indeed, if its clear that the conservative base isnt going to let an establishment candidate win, then they could be drawn into the arms of Palin when confronted by the specter of Trump. Its an admittedly unlikely scenario, but the logic of contrasts makes sense.
Palins controversial statements look positively pedestrian when compared to Trumps call for seizing Iraqi oil, cutting off all aid to Pakistan and imposing 25 percent tariffs on China.
Suddenly, mistaking refudiate for repudiate as Palin did last year seems far less noteworthy, and Palin herself more electable.
The question is whether she can avoid descending into Trumps sensationalism and separate herself from him, thereby mainstreaming herself.
I thought of it more as a football analogy- Sarah held onto the ball as Trump blasted through their defense, giving her a lane to travel through to gain yardage. For that, I thank Trump as these were some blockers that needed knocking down.
So, we're supposed to believe the BC as presented and ignore "naturalized" citizen, in the same way we're to believe Usama now rests on the bottom of the ocean. I've got it.
Look, if this President didn't lie as much as he does, I might fall for all the crap. Trump got to this punk before he could hand-off. They lost ten yards. Should he take-on the bin Laden killing, he might knock them back another ten yards.
Still, it doesn't much matter when the Refs (media) only call un-sportsman-like conduct against conservatives. These bastards have rigged the game. You can't win with them as referees.(I think there is one who can but I'll keep it a secret)
Wait, what? Palin's not really as conservative as often portrayed, but she's at least a good deal rightward of a lefty like Trump.
The Donald was putting Zer0 in the corner over the birther issue. The Zer0 thought he could win the game on points by playing the Rope-a-Dope tactic. What The Donald did was cause Zer0 to blink by putting out the phony COLB to take everybody down for the count. Just when Zer0 thinks the matter is long behind him, Trump will articulate like he does on the Apprentice: "You told us that you would not deceive the American People. Then you put out a phony Birth Certificate. What we should do is fire you right now. As far as what I can see, you're fired!"
LLS
Hill just being a SD, nothing more here.
Palin is our only hope, Don`t be a putz
BTTT
Yes we need serious candidates like Obama. It always amazes me when FReepers take commie lib talking points and use them against our side.
Serious candidate means socialist or communist since no Conservative could ever be seriously considered by the establishment. Reagan never was a serious politician to them.
Pray for America
Trump is no Reagan.
Who said he was? Course if they had FR back then Reagan would be no Reagan.
So what if Trump wants to take down Obozo why should we be so worried only certain people can be Repubs? He says he’s pro life and pro capitalism so let him talk but don’t go down the serious candiate road cause it leads right to Palin and every other candiate they want to destroy.
I am for Palin and hope Trump makes a mess of the child messiah.
Pray for America
But IF they are NOT really presidential candidates, let's say Palin isnt running(the current conventional wisdom) , and it's obvious to most that Trump isnt serious about it if he even runs, that puts their approaches in a completely different light.
Democrats picked Clinton to play (act) as a serious president/leader on TV. And he hired Carville as attack dog. But they never said :”WE want Carville as president because he is good at throwing bombs”. Leading and blowing up things (the other side) are two different jobs. Bomb throwers wont make it to the WH anymore than Perot did.
Republicans are frustrated because Republicans are disorganized and Obama keeps rebounding in the polls. If Obama was in the 20s and a great candidate was in the 60s that would disappear.
But we don’t know if or not either will run...yet. Regardless the people certainly are up for a “fighting” candidate. Things are just not the same as with other elections. I for one do not want to see another election where Republicans play nice guy.....they haven’t won doing so as Obamas win attested to...and it’s obvious Obama won’t be singing that tune, and neither will the democrates, in this next election. The dirt is going to fly in the face of the republicans and I am afraid they will take lying down without a solid comeback.
Also, the International Leaders show no regard for our nation except lip service....while they all laugh on their way to the bank with our money. I think Americans are weary of this and want someone who will stand up and call the shots where they need to go.
The climate is very different than when Clinton ran.
‘Trump is no Reagan”......
...and there won’t be another one. He was one of a kind. I think it’s a mistake to look for another Reagan...the world is not as it was at that time...expecially the people. Palin bears the closest resemblance, as we know, But STILL she has not delared she will run.
Writing something with great earnestness, does not make it true.
Keep Hacking And Flacking, Mizz Powers.
I like that analogy. I'm not sure it's exactly precise, because a football team is working together. I don't really think that Trump and Palin planned this as a joint operation.
Trump, for whatever his reasons, is beating down the strongest points of team Obama's defense. It's costing him terribly in personal reputation. (although I guess any press is good press, when you revel in infamy like Trump does.)
Palin sees the opening, and needed someone to clear the way, and is exactly aligning herself in a neutral space clear of carnage, but positioned to follow right up. She's just adjusting to the changing environment in a smart and strategic way.
Trump... Trump I don't get. His pattern of attack was very methodical and well thought out, if undisciplined in execution. But why launch an attack at all? Attacking a sitting President of a party that you're not exactly known to be hostile to... it defies obvious analysis. He has an angle beyond the immediate 'good patriot needs to stop socialism' reason.
Not sure what you mean by ‘playing nice’. It's one thing to blame him for the crappy economy and rising prices and his disasterous policies. It's another to throw mud. Voters will reject crazy talk about irelevent stuff fast when things are this bad.
If a Republican nutcases like Trump debated Obama and then Obama goes into his standard :”Let's debate the issues like adults” act and the nutcase replies : “There is no point in debating. You are an American hating Kenyan communist atheist” the election is over. Obama wins a landslide.
I heard old Newt throwing out one liners about Obama not having Christian values. Is that going to make Newt a big success now? Republicans going to overlook who is talking?
Yep, Powers is actually a leftist hack and it’s little wonder she is criticizing Sarah Palin.
He's right...and that's the truth as I see it. Though Obama attempts to wear that mask when it is advantageous to do so. I have no problem with one liners if they are true. Often these make more of a point than a long drawn out response or statement. But I doubt if this will be that 'during a debate'...which should be more civil and address the issues at hand. But outside debates...comments can and should cover the spectrum.
Newt himself has much baggage in that area. Did you hear his response to Christian broadcasting when they asked him about HIS cheating on his ex-wife? (While he was impeaching Clinton yet.) It was priceless. He said he cheated because he was caught up in saving the country.
GOP better come up with someone better than this loser. He is not going to change anyones minds.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.