Rove: Palin's resignation lacks clear strategy

CNN - Political Ticker ^ | 2009-07-05

[rabscuttle385]

(CNN) — The "architect" of George W. Bush's successful presidential campaigns has questions about Sarah Palin's resignation as governor.

"It's a risky strategy," Republican campaign mastermind Karl Rove told "Fox News Sunday."

Palin's unexpected announcement Friday that she will step down with 18 months left in her first term has left many in her party "a little perplexed," said Rove, whom Bush dubbed "The Architect" for managing his two victorious campaigns in 2000 and 2004.

[filbert]

These are not the statements of someone who doesn't have a plan:

Life is too short to compromise time and resources... it may be tempting and more comfortable to just keep your head down, plod along, and appease those who demand: "Sit down and shut up", but that's the worthless, easy path; that's a quitter's way out. And a problem in our country today is apathy. It would be apathetic to just hunker down and “go with the flow”.

Nah, only dead fish "go with the flow".

No. Productive, fulfilled people determine where to put their efforts, choosing to wisely utilize precious time... to BUILD UP.

And there is such a need to BUILD up and FIGHT for our state and our country. I choose to FIGHT for it! And I'll work hard for others who still believe in free enterprise and smaller government; strong national security for our country and support for our troops; energy independence; and for those who will protect freedom and equality and LIFE... I'll work for and campaign for those PROUD to be American, and those who are INSPIRED by our ideals and won't deride them.

I WILL support others who seek to serve, in or out of office, for the RIGHT reasons, and I don't care what party they're in or no party at all. Inside Alaska – or Outside Alaska.

. . .

My choice is to take a stand and effect change – not hit our heads against the wall and watch valuable state time and money, millions of your dollars, go down the drain in this new environment. Rather, we know we can effect positive change outside government at this moment in time, on another scale, and actually make a difference for our priorities – and so we will, for Alaskans and for Americans.

Let me go back to a comfortable analogy for me – sports… basketball. I use it because you’re naïve if you don’t see the national full-court press picking away right now: A good point guard drives through a full court press, protecting the ball, keeping her eye on the basket… and she knows exactly when to pass the ball so that the team can WIN. And I’m doing that – keeping our eye on the ball that represents sound priorities – smaller government, energy independence, national security, freedom! And I know when it’s time to pass the ball – for victory.

There's a strategy here. People may not see it, or may not agree it's a good one, but that's not the same as there not being a strategy. It's pretty clear to me.

If the reader is familiar with the short-lived freedom-loving TV show "Firefly," you might recognize these words from Captain Malcolm Reynolds in the movie "Serenity:"

"I aim to misbehave."

It's apparent to me that THAT is Palin's strategy.

[DainBramage]

Carl Rove is no loser. LOL He only helped orchestrate two winning races for governor of the state of Texas, then two successful runs for the POTUS.

Im sure youve succeeded in your life in much grander ways. I know Sarah Palin will value your opinion when it comes to running for office.

[DainBramage]

And what could Carl Rove have taken out of all those vagaries that would have been profound?

"Its clear shes going to fight! and go against the flow,....and ..."

Her statement doesnt explain why shes quiting her elected office 1 year and half early in any clear way. So how, unless he makes something up, how much more could he say?

My opinion is shes doing the right thing and most likely has her own destination in mind, but who knows? My point was the Palin worshipers see evil in anything that disagrees with her in the slightest and thats not healthy. Shes a human and will screw up , big deal. She may not be the best candidate when the time comes who knows?

[filbert]

Her statement doesnt explain why shes quiting her elected office 1 year and half early in any clear way. So how, unless he makes something up, how much more could he say?

Actually, it does. Palin talked about the $2 million of Alaska State money and the half-million of personal money spent defending against scurrilous ethics "complaints," and how she can't justify to herself continuing to waste State resources on a continuing defense, when she has an alternative available to her. She is removing the State of Alaska from the continuing firestorm swirling around her, so that the State won't have to spend money defending her. This is, possibly, difficult for some people to comprehend, but I find it a rather noble stand to take. But then I tend to agree with Palin that government money should be spent wisely, not frivolously, unlike her attackers.

I don't think she expects the firestorm to let up--which is why she's lawyering up against the smear-merchants (PDF at the link, in case you missed it). She also talked about the rather lengthy list of things she achieved in a bit over 2+ years in office.

Just because folks want to ignore what she said--or think "it can't possibly be that, so there must be something else!" doesn't mean she didn't say what she said. I think that taking the latter approach is overthinking the situation, so I'm inclined to believe her at her stated word.

You're obviously inclined otherwise.

Time will tell who is right.

[DainBramage]

Actually like you I take her at her word, but the thread is all about Rove saying he doesnt see a strategy. They are all trying to figure out the early departure. Its never been done only for reason of litigation unless there is an indictment.

My whole point is that how could Rove see a political stategy if there isnt one. If her resignation is to fight smears and litigation it isnt a political strategy. If she says she going to fight these things so she can be free to run for office then thats different but she hasnt even come close to that.

[filbert]

If her resignation is to fight smears and litigation it isnt a political strategy. If she says she going to fight these things so she can be free to run for office then thats different but she hasnt even come close to that.

The options you list are not necessarily the only ones available to Palin, and what you have listed isn't necessarily mutually exclusive.

Must go live life for a while. Cheers.

[DainBramage]

Cheers

[Balding_Eagle]

Again I say, she is going to start a third party,

How will it differ from these third parties?

Have you heard from any of them recently?

America First Party (2002)

American 3rd Party (1990's)

American Heritage Party (2000)

American Party (1969)

American Patriot Party (2003)

American Reform Party (1997)

America's Independent Party (2008)

Boston Tea Party (2006)

Communist Party USA (1919)

Expansionist Party of the United States (1977)

Freedom Road Socialist Organization (1986)

Freedom Socialist Party (1966)

Independence Party of America (2007)

Independent American Party (1998)

Jefferson Republican Party (2006)

Labor Party (1995)

Libertarian National Socialist Green Party (1997)

Marijuana Party (2002)

Moderate Party (2006)

Modern Whig Party (2007)

National Socialist Movement (1974)

New American Independent Party (2004)

New Union Party (1974)

Party for Socialism and Liberation (2004)

Populist Party of America (2002)

Progressive Labor Party (1961)

Prohibition Party (1867)

Reform Party of the United States of America (1995) - currently divided - two factions both named "Reform Party"

Revolutionary Communist Party, USA (1975)

Socialist Action (1983)

Socialist Alternative (1986)

Socialist Equality Party (2008)

Socialist Labor Party (1876)

Socialist Party of the United States of America (1973)

Socialist Workers Party (1938)

Unity Party of America (2004)

Unity08 (2006)

Veterans Party (2003)

Workers Party, USA

Workers World Party (1959)

Working Families Party (1998)

World Socialist Party of the United States (1916)

Youth International Party (commonly known as the Yippies) (1967)

[itsahoot]

Im sure youve succeeded in your life in much grander ways. I know Sarah Palin will value your opinion when it comes to running for office.

Rove engineered the loss of both houses and the presidency, whether you admit it or not. Palin doesn't need my advice, and certainly don't need any from the likes of Rove. The RINO elites in Washington are the problem, not the solution, if you think otherwise then you totally miss where the hope and change really lies.

[itsahoot]

Bang your head and scream at other conservatives?

Not conservative, just Romneybots and atheistic libertarians, if you fall in that group then........

[itsahoot]

Blind hero worship is a bad thing for the conservative movement.

You want blind hero worship, how about some of these;

Bush Bots who thought he was the second coming, along with Rove
Then We have the Rootie toot tuties
Romnyites
Powel
Condi Roce

[DainBramage]

then....I will still laugh at your ignorance. Sarah is in a bind and doesnt need idiots like you to back her..she needs right thinking christians that support her when shes right and speak out wisely when shes wrong.

You seem to fall into a crack between wisdom and adoration.

[itsahoot]

then....I will still laugh at your ignorance

Ok genius, when have I ever offered any advice to Sarah Palin? Answer never. Unlike almost every moron populating threads, I trust her to do what ever God tells her to do, I don't know what that is and neither do the rest of you.

I know one thing, if God has a plan for her, then get out of the way.

[DainBramage]

Then why the F do think you know more about what she needs to do than anybody else?

You dont.... you just want to get on here and call people like me, that may disagree with you on something, alot of names

You will not beat me.. your ignorance is evident for all to see in a few posts. I recommend a nights sleep.

[MortMan]

Personally, anyone on the right side of the mushy middle who is successful even one iota is a lightning rod for the left.

Lightning isn’t nearly so deadly when one is well grounded in conservatism, IMO.

Have a great evening.

[itsahoot]

I recommend a nights sleep.

Do you even bother to read the posts? Or do you just begin the attacks.

I said, after you accused me of trying to tell Palin what to do.; Ok genius, when have I ever offered any advice to Sarah Palin? Answer never. Unlike almost every moron populating these threads, I trust her to do what ever God tells her to do, I don't know what that is and neither do the rest of you.

Your reply; "Then why the F do think you know more about what she needs to do than anybody else?"

No where in the statement above, or on any other post, have I told Sarah what to do.

I overestimated your IQ.