Posted on 07/02/2009 9:30:03 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Sounds far-fetched and, to some, totally implausible. But the Republicans are losing potential candidates at a pace that is downright alarming if you believe in a healthy two-party system. The demise of John Ensign’s political career a few weeks ago and the surreal downfall of Mark Sanford last week is enough to send chills through the even the most optimistic Republican strategist. We know that of the 2008 crop, only Mitt Romney seems likely to stay on as a contender. The old stalwarts like Newt Gingrich may get a lot of press, but it is unlikely they can mount a real challenge to Obama in 2012. Yet, the presidential election of 2012 will be more than a simple coronation of Barack Obama if the economy stalls and there is no progress in two important areas: national security and healthcare.
Ballooning deficits and a sluggish economy could alter the mood of America by the time the 2010 mid-terms come up, giving hope to the GOP for the next presidential primary season. This is why Sarah Palin is maintaining a persistent media presence, whether it is debating David Letterman or being the biggest Republican draw on the lecture circuit. She clearly has her eyes set on the presidency.
The latest edition of Vanity Fair brings this possibility forward, though not in a favourable light. Journalist Todd Purdhom paints a picture of a woman with a narcissistic personality, who’s short on knowledge, disinterested in policy discussion, and not ready for primetime. In the end, the story says more about John McCain’s competence and character than it does about Palin, simply because he flubbed his most important decision as a presidential candidate. That said, Palin brought much needed energy to an otherwise lackluster campaign and, to this day, she energizes the base as no other candidate can. Could it be possible she may someday be a candidate for the presidency?
My experience tells me that no one should be written off in a hypothetical context. Barack Obama is proof positive of this. I still maintain that, without Bush, there is no Obama nomination. Palin is a street smart politician who has benefited from being underestimated most of her career. McCain’s disastrous choice may have been fatal to his electoral chances, but it brought Palin to the forefront of national attention. Since then, she has become a celebrity that transcends her party. However, if she is to be taken seriously and considered a viable contender, she needs to change the negative perceptions of her and develop a political profile that appeals to those outside her narrow base.
To do this, she must gradually reduce her exposure and begin to educate herself on the issues. She will not be ready for 2012 by remaining governor of Alaska and playing the celebrity. The GOP has too proud a tradition to have a re-run of the 2008 vice-presidential candidate. Also, the base Palin relies on for support no longer holds the sway it once did. Social conservatism is losing steam as a political movement thanks to the dubious habits of people like Gingrich, Ensign and Sanford, and the election of an African-American president as well as the increased attention paid to gay rights issues shows that Americans have begun to cast their old divisions aside. The future for the GOP lies with fiscal conservatism and strong national security policy—not with turning back the clock. Palin must embrace the values that created the Republican party in the first place—a belief in the individual, a belief in a limited role for the state, and a commitment to equality. The party of Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Eisenhower, and (the pragmatic version of) Reagan is the path to a Republican resurgence. Palin is nowhere on that radar. She is all about celebrity status and controversy.
In the lead-up to July 4, Americans usually reflect on their great democracy. Overall, it is healthy and has shown resilience through the decades. But the Republicans have to become a viable alternative for this democracy to remain vibrant. So is Palin a real possibility for 2012 or 2016? Will she someday be a formal candidate for the presidency? Most definitely. But can she ever win? Based on what we have observed so far, I would say definitely not, though politics has been known to produce some strange developments.
You mean Reagan's amnesty? Name 3 people you would support in '12.
RINO McCain took the conservative vote for granted...I know a lot of them who didn't go to the polls because of HIM....not her. And I also know many including myself who DID go to the polls because of her and in spite of him.
Sarah Palin, for all her good looks, verve and gumption, is woefully unqualified for national office. It’s not a stretch to assert that in many crucial areas, she’s empty headed.
Republicans just watched a goodhearted but over his head Republican president damn near destroy the party and the economy. The next Republican president had better be a top shelf, heavyweight thinker who knows what the hell he is talking about, and who has the experience, temperament and judgment to handle that very challenging office. I’m sorry to tell Palin supporters on FR that she is not now, nor will she ever be, that guy.
The sooner the Palin tsunami blows over for conservatives, the better off we’ll be. If FR turns into a Palin lovefest, it will be a big mistake for the website, because FR will be backing a loser.
What poll and where did they poll?
Presidential election polling place...geez...
Yet he won in a landslide.
The fact of the matter is, The Presidential Election of 2012 is not going to be about the Republican Nominee, it is going to be an referendum on Obama, like most Presidential Campaigns against an incumbent are. If the Public has soured on Obama’s policies enough by then, it will be hard for him to remain in office regardless of whom we nominate. But if the economy has recovered and it appears that Obama’s policies are working, it will be near impossible to remove him from office regardless of who we nominate.
Remember, in 92, most top tier candidates in the Democratic party decided not to run for President since they decided it was virtually impossible to defeat Bush Sr. in November. Who did they eventually nominate? The three term Womanizing Governor from Arkansas with more baggage then a Coach Outlet who almost had to be dragged off the stage at the 88’ Democratic Convention and received his only applause that night when he finally stopped talking and left. He was the “Trailer Trash” candidate. He took on the incumbent who just finished prosecuting a successful and stunning victory against Iraq whose approval ratings were over 90% for a good period of 91. And this “bubba” from Arkansas ended up not only wining, but gave the best Electoral Showing for the Democrats in a Presidential Race since Johnson in 64’.
President Sarah Palin...
As of 12 Noon, January 20, 2012...
Lovely ring to that...
And Vice President Anyone-but-Willard-Mitt-Romney
I hope you’re right but the MSM is slick and most people don’t pay attention to politics in America anymore, they just go on their feelings or one or two newbites they hear on PMSNBC or CNN.
Go do a man on the street interview and ask them the name of the current vice president of the United States. Most won’t know or care.
Like it or not image is everything with many people today. Look at the sickening 24/7 news coverage of Michael Jackson’s death. All the Dems would have to do is pull out those old tv interviews where Sarah spaced out on certain questions, have the late night comedians hit on her again, and people will think Sarah is dumb and incapable of being president, just like they did after they saw the Katie Couric blank out bits.
Yeah, Reagan lost the GOP primary against Ford.
The Republican party ran the wrong ticket in 1976.
They do that a lot.
Ford-Dole was a losing ticket, just like McCain-Palin.
Dole went on to lose even bigger on his own.
Is that what you’re looking to repeat with Sarah Palin?
That is the only thing I can glean from what you’re saying.
Because I know you know better than to compare an intra-party primary to a general election.
They aren’t the same thing. Candidates who are not nominated by their party are not electoral losers in the same way that a losing general election candidate is.
Most nominees run a couple times for the nomination before they get it.
Not being chosen as the nominee in prior cycles does not have any effect on their future electability.
Make that ...
President Sarah Palin...
As of 12 Noon, January 20, 2013...
and leave in the bit that goes...
And Vice President Anyone-but-Willard-Mitt-Romney
Let's face it if MSM wanted to make BO look like a moron it would be easy without Photoshop. They did a great hit job on Palin. For sure. I's all a matter of how you want to make someone look. I say time and again my first impression of Reagan was less positive than I had with Palin. All she would have to do is pull an Obama and do only gigs that make her look good and surround herself with people who enforce it....she has the ability to come up to speed IMHO.
MittWitt and the like have no background in the real world
especially current world affairs.
Mittwitt and his 5 sons never served in the military, Gov. Palin’s son serves in Iraq.
gov. Palin just negotiated with TransCanada and ExxonMobil for the largest pipeline and energy program.
She has first hand discussions with Gens. of Pacific Command re missile defense, She has been to the Middle East, and just back from Kosovo.
Don’t embarrass yourself with comments about a person you know nothing about.
Bingo.
You still didn’t tell us which horse you’re backing in 2012.That really depends on which horses are running, and how they do in the trials.
Hey TN, you go girl.
MittWitt lives around 10 miles from me here in San Diego.
the guy is a joke.
>they are going to do this to any conservative candidate
True but it makes it tougher when the candidate herself / himself gives them ready ammunition, like blanking out on specific questions in a high profile interview, winking at the audience during national televised debates and doing an “aw shucks” or “say it ain’t so” routine, etc. Same thing happened with Jindal’s response to Obama. His profile dropped like lead after he gave a rather schoolboyish rebuttal.
I say whoever the male candidate is in 2012 let Sarah be vice president nominee to bring in that homespun heartland vote. However in today’s world you HAVE to get the Reagan Democrats and many of them won’t vote for someone like Sarah whom the mainstream media constantly portrays as dumb.
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