Palin Is No Reagan

American Spectator ^ | 7.6.09 @ 7:45AM | By Philip Klein

[Behind Liberal Lines]

[C]omparisons do a disservice to Reagan, who not only served two full terms as governor of California, but also spent decades studying the issues and immersing himself in conservative philosophy. His writings and radio commentaries make this abundantly clear. He proved people wrong because they objectively were wrong. This does not mean that whenever the media writes off or attacks a conservative politician that he or she is the next Reagan

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to win and govern effectively you have to do more than "galvanize the party base" and "convince conservatives" -- you also have to convince independents and even some Democrats, as Reagan did [but] instead of going back to Alaska to gain more governing experience as many advised, Palin resigned after just two and a half years on the job. And there’s nothing to indicate that she has the slightest interest in boning up on policy. Honestly, what’s her incentive to study policy and do the boring task of governing? No matter what she does, her army of apologists will make excuses for her and lash out at those who dare to criticize her by accusing them of being liberal elitists who are threatened by her sheer awesomeness....

[N]one of this really matters if Palin intends to leave elective politics and become some sort of television or radio personality. My comments are only meant as a response to those who are still seriously suggesting her as a potential presidential candidate. Last October, an ABC/Washington Post poll found that only 35 percent of Americans thought Palin was qualified enough to be president, yet now her boosters expect us to believe that an additional nine months in office is all she needed to assauge Americans' concerns, allowing her to resign and prepare for a presidential run.

[Nonstatist]

Close enough.

Close enough for govrnment work, apparemtly. So pathetic.

[NativeNewYorker]

Don't misunderstand...I'd back Petraeus...but "right now", the public doesn't seem enchanted with things military, as they were in the aftermath of WW2 for Ike.

If, g-d forbid, we suffered another 9/11, Petraeus would jump to the top of the pack, but that's not a high-probability way to look at things imho.

[Tallguy]

I think you hit the nail on the head. We are not living in “ordinary times”, and so the door is open to a leader who might not qualify on the basis of a resume. After all, Obama walked through the WH front door, didn’t he? It doesn’t get much ‘thinner’ than that.

[NavyCanDo]

And what other Republican is more like Reagan than Sarah Palin? Name one who is as eloquent in their speaking, who can touch middle America, who is a true conservative, and who can draw tens of thousands to them speak. I can think of no one else but Palin.

[Cringing Negativism Network]

I have wondered the same thing.

I’d jump. In a minute.

The GOP has become a bunch of spineless weenies.

[misterrob]

The need to believe outstrips reason....

I’ll give her a chance but I’ll pass on ordering Palin PJs, posters and lunchboxes....

[rockrr]

I’d love to see the admin moderators start nuking Sara threads this week.

I agree. It is disappointing to see such emotionalism from otherwise rational FReepers...

[Dan Middleton]

"Here I was just thinking chauvinism is alive and well in the US. We may be ready for a black president, but we are not even close to being ready for a WOMAN president."

Sure, sure. Anybody who doesn't think she's the reinvention of sliced bread is a chauvanist, sexist, whatever. Or a liberal, setting aside the fact that such labeling is a classic liberal tactic. Meanwhile, slobber over her legs and if all else fails, call opponents homosexuals.

[Behind Liberal Lines]

I think Palin’s great. My concern is that people keep “enabling” her to make mistakes by comparing her to Reagan before she’s built the kind of resume that the Gipper had in 1980.

[CASchack]

Perhaps it could be said that Palin shares the conservative views of Reagan. However, Reagan had written and spoken eloquently of his views extensively in the 60s and 70s before running in 76 and again in 80. Plus, he completed two full terms as Governor of the most populous state in the nation.

Sorry, but Palin has a long way to go. IMO, she’s already seen the highest national poll numbers she’ll ever see.

The conservative movement has not yet found the right standard bearer who can be elected President.

[trisham]

Here’s your one other thing: You’re hypersensitive like a little girl.

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LOL!

This deserves the post of the thread award!

[stephenjohnbanker]

“And what other Republican is more like Reagan than Sarah Palin? Name one who is as eloquent in their speaking, who can touch middle America, who is a true conservative, and who can draw tens of thousands to them speak. I can think of no one else but Palin. “

I like Palin a lot, but we need 2 or 3 backups. The MSM will destroy her if anything bad happens to her family, or she decides not to run.

[MadIsh32]

I am not concerned with finding “the next Reagan”

I think we as conservatives need to move past Reagan and allow people to be themselves

Constantly saying “Reagan” or trying to compare everyone of our own today to a man who hasn’t been in office for a generation is stagnating our movement.

Reagan himself would not want us to hero worship him and compare everyone to him. That is not what he was about, he was about ideas and laws, not men and personalities.

[heiss]

“Uh, ever hear of Dwight D. Eisenhower? Petraeus is a dedicated Republican, believe me! He’s been in the Army now 35 years and will soon be retiring and looking for other things to do...he also has earned a Ph.D. from Princeton “

This is sort of delusional fantasy. We don’t know anything about the generals (Petreus, Franks etc) except that they are patriots and skilled generals. That is great, but certainly not sufficient to become a POTUS. Do you know his opinion on affirmative action, supply-side economics, abortion, state rights etc? Also, what are his political campaign skills? Is he charismatic enough ?

Getting electing nowadays (without media help, like B.Hussein) is tough and you really must have all the necessary things in order (in addition to political opinions).

[Outlaw Woman]

It’s apalling that even the ‘so called’ conservatives weigh in with negativity about Governor Palin. Oh they always conclude with, I’m a ‘big’ Sarah Palin fan and then go on to magnify the weaknesses they perceive and everything that she doesn’t have a good strategy ....and blah blah blah
Karl Rove, Huckabee etc........yeah..........they’re such winners.

All I know is anyone that loves America, talks positively about America and Americans and shows the true concern for the United States that this Governor has shown, HAS MY SUPPORT. I’m tired of all the analysts that keep driving us in a losing direction. They don’t know their ass from a hole in the ground or we wouldn’t be in this situation.
It’s time for a SHAKE UP.......

[libertymaker]

I'm with you Coyote. One Sarah has which can not be denied is she reflects in her core values every one of the conservative planks - pro-life, 2A, pro-military, small gov. self-rliance. She naturally can speak of these values because she lives them. She does not need to “convince” people that she is something she really isn't.

Now that she is unleashed, she should speak at various fundraising events for our very promising class of young conservative recruits in the House. She can be the visionary the party needs and in the process, promote the conservative agenda.

2012 is not out of the question. Time will tell. She can be another huge voice for conservatism, much like Rush. If the her following is developed, I believe she would be receptive to a draft Palin movement in 2012. JMO.

[Terry Mross]

Reagan couldn’t get elected today. Collns, Snowe, McCain, Specter, Romney, etc. would endorse anyone but Reagan. They can claim him all they want. But their actions speak for themselves.

[MBB1984]

Jim Demint, who might be better.