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.
Counterpunch, you’re sticking to your main point, I congratulate you. :)Yes, just as I voted for McCain-Palin in 2008.
Out of curiosity, if the Republican Party did nominate Sarah as the Presidential candidate for 2012, would you vote for her?
However you will get some grudging respect from the mainstream media types if you hold your head high and don’t resort to anything but professionalism and courtesy. They still won’t vote for you personally but at least they won’t laugh at you.
Ooopps...did I mis-quote/reply to something??...it's late and I'm old...:o)
Hate to state the obvious but “drawing the crowds” doesn’t necessarily equal votes come election day. There are lots of curiousity seekers at these events. A portion may not even vote!
I said something kinda like that but didn't want it to be taken the wrong way....:o)
When Gov. Palin leads the ticket and calls the shots, it won’t be like last time.
We don’t need second and third tier candidates.
If she is so unqualified, so stupid, and most importantly, a guaranteed loser against Obama, what's up with the MSM and the lefts obsession with her? Why waste all the breath and time on a bumbling idiot who would surely go down to defeat against zero?
After all did the Right continually trash Geraldine Ferarro or Loyd Benson after 84 or 88? Did the Democrats spend every waking moment going after Quayle or Kemp after 92’ or 96’? No they didn't. Why? Because they did not see them as a threat. People don't waste time trashing people who are not a threat to them or their beliefs. After all Nixon and Gingrich used to regularly cause the Dems blood to boil but I don't see an article a day coming out decrying how evil they are.
They only trash Palin because she they see her as their greatest threat. Ron Paul if given the chance would totally dismantle the welfare state and the new deal. Yet for some reason their is not a constant parade of hate directed at him day in and day out. Could it be that they don't waste their time on people who are of little concern?
I call BS on that statement. People don’t spend their Saturday at a rally unless they are pretty committed.
“When Gov. Palin leads the ticket and calls the shots, it won’t be like last time.”
Yeah. It might be even worse.
When BO attracts crowds it's voters but when Sarah does it's curiosity seekers...I see...been nippin' at the Barry Juice just a little maybe??....
Who is your horse in the race? Obvious you are a detractor and doing a mighty fine job of supporting the Obama-msm.
Dewey vs. FDR-Truman —> Dewey vs. Truman
Stevenson vs. Eisenhower —> Stevenson vs. Eisenhower
Carter-Mondale vs. Reagan —> Mondale vs. Reagan
These were all rematches, and considered so by the voters and historians.
And they all ended the same way: the two-time losers lost even bigger the second time around.
McCain-Palin vs. 0bama —> Palin vs. 0bama would be no different.
It doesn’t matter who was on the top of the bottom of the ticket.
What matters is they were on a ticket that already lost to their opponent.
LOL! I go to these celebrity events all the time just to people watch and have a good time. Doesn’t mean I’m gonna vote for them. heeheeheee
Geez! You must have absolutely NO LIFE!
Actually, Bernard Goldberg stated that the reason why Obama won was Bush’s popularity was low, the Iraq war became unpopular, and the economic problems.
Exactly! Fighting with Letterman as a major theme is a loser even if her groupies disagree.
Oh brother...well...sorry but it does to me and most people I know personally....
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