Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Palin Is No Reagan
American Spectator ^ | 7.6.09 @ 7:45AM | By Philip Klein

Posted on 07/06/2009 7:22:56 AM PDT by 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

****

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.

(Excerpt) Read more at spectator.org ...


TOPICS: Editorial; Politics/Elections; US: Alaska
KEYWORDS: antipalin; derangement; palin; pds; reagan; waronsarah
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 201-220221-240241-260 ... 421-431 next last
To: Texas_shutterbug

I’m in the same boat.

The vacuum won’t last forever. There will be someone who melds conservatism with charisma and competence, but I’m at a loss to say who this is.


221 posted on 07/06/2009 8:38:39 AM PDT by CASchack
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 211 | View Replies]

To: Behind Liberal Lines

I take it you are big fan of RINO Mitt Romney?


222 posted on 07/06/2009 8:38:58 AM PDT by TexasCajun
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: rbmillerjr

**But the weakness and will to sellout to a media selected RINO is astounding.**

Media Selected RINO comes from the fact that the GOP does not have the guts to GET RID of the remaining Cauci, and CLOSE the Primaries...

All of the GOP primaries, until SC, are all Open Primaries. LIb groups brag of picking the worst GOP candidate in open primary states, and by the time there is a REAL PRIMARY (SC), the primary momentum is already SET.. and set by .. LIBERALS or RINOS or both.


223 posted on 07/06/2009 8:39:17 AM PDT by gwilhelm56 (Orwell's 1984 - To Conservatives, a WARNING - to Liberals, a TEXTBOOK!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 214 | View Replies]

Comment #224 Removed by Moderator

To: rbmillerjr
"Most will come around if Palin puts the work in during the midterms."

If she puts her nose to the grindstone in the next three years, there are no better options, and she ends up being the nominee of the party, I will support her.

To form ranks behind her at this point, however, would be premature.

225 posted on 07/06/2009 8:39:27 AM PDT by Dan Middleton (Say no to political personality cults, on the left or the right.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 214 | View Replies]

To: TexasCajun
"I take it you are big fan of RINO Mitt Romney?"

Wow, Palin skeptic=Romney supporter. Never heard that one before. If you had only come along like 200 posts earlier, you may have been the first to use it in the thread.

226 posted on 07/06/2009 8:40:45 AM PDT by Dan Middleton (Say no to political personality cults, on the left or the right.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 222 | View Replies]

To: rbmillerjr

JUst out of curiousity, which Conservative SHOULD we be SUPPORTING??


227 posted on 07/06/2009 8:40:50 AM PDT by gwilhelm56 (Orwell's 1984 - To Conservatives, a WARNING - to Liberals, a TEXTBOOK!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 214 | View Replies]

To: meandog
Well, I see the same kind of vaccum that existed in history after the FDR/Truman era was done. Then it was who would the Republican party nominate to take on (socialist) Adali Stevenson: Windell Willkie, Thomas Dewey again, or Harold Stassen? They ended up drafting Ike.

It's too bad we don't Petraeus anyone like that these days, because it sure would be nice if a famous, brilliant, politically savvy general who's already managed and rebuilt a country was about to retire and be available.

Wouldn't it?

228 posted on 07/06/2009 8:40:55 AM PDT by Steel Wolf (Oh, well. Back to the drawing board....)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 209 | View Replies]

To: Friendofgeorge
Sarah Palin trashers are FILTH! I LOVE SARAH

There are four types of people that post anti-Palin stories here on FR.

1) Jerry Springer fans. No, really - Its the culture of the people today. They love scandal even if its about one of their own, which is why the stupid reality TV programs have a huge audience, and why these anti-Palin post generate 200 to 300 replies or more. Eating our own for a little entertainment. Got a hot juicy story about Palins daughter? Gotta post it on FR before someone else does.

2) RINO lovers. Someone who supported one of the pathetic RINO candidates that is Jealous of the attention paid to Palin who shoved their candidate off the radar screen. They stayed home election day or wrote their candidate in. Die hard McCain fans fall into this catagory as well.

3) Trolls, trying to destroy Palin’s and the Republicans chances in 2012.

4) Baiters – those who get off on posting topics that cause Freepers to go head to head in verbal battles. Topics often include Christian denominations, evolution, Third party candidates, and even the Civil War. These baiters could also be 1, 2, or 3.

229 posted on 07/06/2009 8:42:31 AM PDT by NavyCanDo (Stop Freakin, Try Freepin)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Behind Liberal Lines
she has 3 years on how to deal with the media. If she doesn't figure out her own way of dealing them even I will not pay much attention to her and I think she is our greatest assets today.

There are ways to go on the offensive against the media Reagan prove that.

230 posted on 07/06/2009 8:42:33 AM PDT by Steve Van Doorn (*in my best Eric cartman voice* 'I love you guys')
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MortMan
Sarah Palin is Spartacus.

Sarahcus!

231 posted on 07/06/2009 8:43:22 AM PDT by Theophilus (Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: meandog

I would never support a general without knowing their politics. Powell and Wesley Clark have fouled the waters.


232 posted on 07/06/2009 8:45:02 AM PDT by BigBobber
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 127 | View Replies]

To: KevinDavis

Funny about this article since Michael Reagan said Sarah is a lot like his Dad. I think I will take his comments and not someone from the American Spectator.

She sure has them all riled up with her announcement.

Sitting back chuckling at some of the comments on here that are as riled up as the pundits and reporters. It is easy to pick out who is for and against. Some are even using the Dem talking point papers.

Some of these people cannot stand the thought of someone from the Heartland of America not an elitist from the NE and the Ivy League is a serious contender for the Presidency and draws huge crowds of her fellow citizens. I say Heartland because she was born in Idaho and did not attend Ivy League or private schools. Alaska is definitely not elitist except for a few which is a good thing.

This is pass the popcorn time with some of the ludicrous articles that are being posted. :)


233 posted on 07/06/2009 8:45:10 AM PDT by PhiKapMom (Mary Fallin - OK Gov/Coburn/Rubio - Senate 2010 ! Sarah for President 2012)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: OldDeckHand

I can’t argue against anything you said regarding the “public perception” of Obama relative to Palin. The Media & Academia are generally powerful enough to tip that playing field any way they want.

The scary part is the colonoscopy that Palin gets, while there is a genuine lack of curiousity concerning Obama. It’s really unprofessional of Journalists to act in this manner, but there it is.


234 posted on 07/06/2009 8:45:21 AM PDT by Tallguy ("The sh- t's chess, it ain't checkers!" -- Alonzo (Denzel Washington) in "Training Day")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 206 | View Replies]

To: OldDeckHand

I can’t argue against anything you said regarding the “public perception” of Obama relative to Palin. The Media & Academia are generally powerful enough to tip that playing field any way they want.

The scary part is the colonoscopy that Palin gets, while there is a genuine lack of curiousity concerning Obama. It’s really unprofessional of Journalists to act in this manner, but there it is.


235 posted on 07/06/2009 8:45:21 AM PDT by Tallguy ("The sh- t's chess, it ain't checkers!" -- Alonzo (Denzel Washington) in "Training Day")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 206 | View Replies]

To: TexasCajun
I take it you are big fan of RINO Mitt Romney?

What evidence do have for that other than my refusal to pretend that Palin is infallible?

236 posted on 07/06/2009 8:45:27 AM PDT by Behind Liberal Lines
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 222 | View Replies]

To: E. Pluribus Unum
Reagan was no Reagan

Interesting point. So much lost opportunity!

237 posted on 07/06/2009 8:46:47 AM PDT by Theophilus (Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: trisham

EXCELLENT!

BUMP


238 posted on 07/06/2009 8:47:11 AM PDT by stephenjohnbanker (Pray for, and support our troops(heroes) !! And vote out the RINO's!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 198 | View Replies]

To: meandog
"Well, I see the same kind of vaccum that existed in history after the FDR/Truman era was done."

Let me preface this by saying, I have enormous respect and admiration for David Petraeus. His accomplishments speak for themselves, as does his resume. He is a very impressive man.

Having said that, I would presume that Petraeus may be a little too pragmatic to garner a lot of conservative support. It is my experience, and I have more than a little, that most flag officers are very pragmatic and practical people. They frequently look at compromise as a desirable outcome, especially when dealing with their civilian leadership.

As an example, Eisenhower, while being a bit of an authoritarian in his White House (which caused him some grief early on), had to deal with a Democrat majority in the Congress. As a result, he frequently accepted deals that were anything but conservative, or even Republican at times.

Not knowing anything about David Petraeus' personal politics, even if he is a conservative-minded person, I suspect his pragmatism could be a deal breaker with many. But, he'd be a great addition to the number two spot, in my humble opinion.

239 posted on 07/06/2009 8:47:58 AM PDT by OldDeckHand
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 209 | View Replies]

To: KevinDavis

I don’t have 3rd party dreams. I’m just wondering why so many republicans are trying to drown her. Some of them are piling on her as much as the dems. Why? She’s clearly got star power like no other Republican. So why are they fanning the flames of the anti-Palin zealots?

Reading her speech, she made it clear she’s not party loyal. And it seems she took them all by surprise. They don’t know what she’s going to do next. So my guess: The Republican establishment is concerned. They have to take her down a peg or two in case her next move is to jump ship.

If she stays with the Republican party I’ll support her whether she runs for Pres. or not. If she leaves, I’m going with her. The Republicans have to be worried about this. And I don’t care if it means Obama for another 4 years. The Republicans are just as self-interested as the dems and this American is tired of watching career politicians and state run media destroy us from within.


240 posted on 07/06/2009 8:50:12 AM PDT by carmody
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 165 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 201-220221-240241-260 ... 421-431 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson