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.
Read it again.
She states that she does not support TOTAL amnesty. Thompson said he did not support BLANKET amnesty.
When asked if she supports a path to citizenship, she says “I DO.”
Any path to citizenship for illegal aliens IS amnesty. It’s the same position McCain, Thompson and the rest of the OBL Rhinos have stated, almost word for word, including the whole ...we can deport them all...statement.
As for your “Obama operative” accusation, get a grip. When I opposed McCain for the same reason, I was accused of being a Clinton operative. Time for a new excuse.
You can always join Obama’s reelection campaign.
Or maybe you already have
You trying to sell McCain as a conservative tells almost everyone at freerepublic that you are not a conservative, there is a lot of disagreement on this thread but just about everyone here will tell you that you are nuts to call McCain a conservative.
Very few republicans are despised at FR as much as John McCain, the man has been at war against conservatives for many years.
If you’ve read all my posts on this thread you’ll see I have stated numerous times that I like Sarah personally, I just don’t think she can win against Obama. Two different things. I have no love lost for the MSM, in fact I detest them. But you have to admit their power, especially on people who don’t examine the issues but who go on simple newsbites they see on CNN or elsewhere.
You’d also see that I suggested John Thune would be a great candidate.
http://thune.senate.gov/public/_images/thune-hires.jpg
He’s conservative, clean family life, attractive, articulate, etc.
Uh she told you this personally ...that this was a major theme to her? Actually I don't think she knows that...maybe you'd better inform her what a major theme it was....seemed more to me like swatting a fly....
You really find facts get in your way.
Your mantra won’t help you.
Each and every quality you express RE: Thune can be said and verified for Palin. The only difference is gender. Do you have a problem with a woman Presidential Candidate?
Wow! McCain is a better Democrat than most Democrats! That compilation is about the worst indictment I’ve ever seen of any “Republican”. No wonder the Dems like him so much.
I didn’t like McCain well prior to him making his run in 2008, and actually pulled the lever for Sarah, not him.
You’re very silly. I detest Obama.
I believe Sarah has many gifts. But beating the Obama machine is not one of them.
I want a professional, conservative, fresh candidate starting with a clean fresh plate. No old newsbites being resurrected with Sarah blanking out during high profile interviews. It’s too damaging.
Some oldies but goodies about RINO Romney...
Romney the liberal running to the left of Kenneddy...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9IJUkYUbvI&feature=related
Kennedy, Mitt’s best buddy...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4r9dMP21hM&feature=related
Romney the abortion pusher, 2002
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_w9pquznG4
“Romney has fought conservatives for years”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Elx3UWmyAY4&feature=related
‘Projected theme’ meaning that is all she is commonly known for now. All she is seen as representing.
If you want to ask her something ask her if she is even running for president,
I totally agree with you. Either some people are naively allowing themselves to be manipulated by the media or they are the ones trying to do the manipulating.
It always seems to come up Romney or RINOs or the types who hate social conservatives. They know that if things stay the way they are now, Sarah Palin would win the Republican nomination by a landslide. It scares them to death.
I feel sorry that she has to suffer this from people, her fellow "conservatives," who should be helping her, not giving her all these backhanded compliments and slaps in the face.
Of course it is about who is popular among republicans and conservatives, the general election doesn't happen until the republicans choose their favorite.
I saw her in Orlando and had beautiful weather and there were lots of people.
But Florida still went for Obama.
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