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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
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To: leilani
"Exactly, Kevin. Hunter's great, pissant, but is there anyone who's not on psychotropic meds who believes he could win a general election?"

Why Duncan Hunter didn't gain more traction in last years primary, is a profound mystery to me. He's articulate. He's got a great resume and has solid policy positions. And, he was passionate in what he believed.

I don't know if he just didn't generate the campaign funds to get his message out. But, then, you have to ask yourself why wasn't he able to raise more cash, if that was the case. If he couldn't win the nomination, he probably couldn't have beaten Obama, but at least he would have set a stark contrast to the Democrat positions which people could look back on (with remorse)when we enter Great Depression II, shortly.

341 posted on 07/06/2009 10:37:04 AM PDT by OldDeckHand
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To: rbmillerjr
"You have been here a freakin week and you are already showing your political naievette."

When you can't defend yourself or your position, apparently you resort to political attacks, heh Mr. Alinsky?

Mr. Klein's piece is spot on. Palin sycophants, when faced with solid criticism, resort to name calling and scapegoating. Very childish indeed.

Incidentally, I believe the word you're searching for is naïveté.

342 posted on 07/06/2009 10:42:31 AM PDT by OldDeckHand
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To: lady lawyer
Palin doesn?t know the difference between conservatism and populism

Please enlighten us - I ask because Reagan described himself as a populist - But I am sure that the sagacious Lady Lawyer can dispel any confusion about this.

343 posted on 07/06/2009 10:43:57 AM PDT by jla
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To: johncocktoasten
What's an "Olberwierd Countdown"?

Fact is, when someone resigns from office, that is called, quitting. Look it up.

>>>>>>I know, I know, she should have stayed, and then lied to the people of Alaska while running for re-election.

No. Palin should have finished out her first term, ending Dec.2010 and then run for the GOP nomination. As of right now, no one knows what Palin is doing. But I wouldn't bet the farm on her running in 2012.

344 posted on 07/06/2009 10:47:31 AM PDT by Reagan Man ("In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.")
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To: curiosity
Hey genius - tell us all the difference between a conservative and a populist. Did you know Reagan oft described himself as the latter? Evidently he was no more intelligent than Palin. Right?
345 posted on 07/06/2009 10:48:26 AM PDT by jla
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To: pissant
The problem is the GOP has stars in their eyes and think its all about name recognition. Who the hell ever heard the name Obama before 2007

Unfortunately, it's the voters of all political persuasions & ideological inclinations who have stars in their eyes, and they're looking for charisma in their leaders. Like it or not, Obama's got it (that's why he didn't need name recognition) & Duncan just doesn't seem to, unfortunately.

Listen, I don't like facing up to the fact anymore than you do that the American electorate is as susceptible to cults of personality as the citizens of any Latin American banana republic. But we obviously are, & there's no getting around that immutable reality. It's not fair, but hey, like our Dads always told us, life isn't fair. Ya gotta play the hand you're dealt.

346 posted on 07/06/2009 10:49:36 AM PDT by leilani (le vrai d'avec le faux l’on connaîtra|ça ira, ça ira, ça ira|le citoyen pour le bien soutiendra)
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To: OldDeckHand

You’ve been here a week nubie and all of your posts are nothing but hate spewing against Palin....

You could very well be a Olbergruppenfuhrer, Obamite, or even a hissy little Establishment RINO for all we know.

The best trolls build up some postings before they prematurely rant about.


347 posted on 07/06/2009 10:49:37 AM PDT by rbmillerjr (Sara Palin is running for President -- Get used to it.)
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To: jla

She will...
—Hit the stumps in 2010 campaigning for others
—Hit the speaking circuit
—Fine tune her policy message(s) during that time
—Build a large war chest during that time
—Run in 2012


348 posted on 07/06/2009 10:49:47 AM PDT by couch1971 (Stupid People shouldn't breed.)
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To: Reagan Man

“Fact is, when someone resigns from office, that is called, quitting. Look it up.”

She’s bigger than Alaska now.

Get used to it.


349 posted on 07/06/2009 10:52:42 AM PDT by rbmillerjr (Sara Palin is running for President -- Get used to it.)
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To: Pistolshot

That’s right; that’s exactly what R.Reagan would say himself!


350 posted on 07/06/2009 10:52:51 AM PDT by dsutah
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To: trisham

“Still, the GOP establishment and McCain aren’t solely responsible. Our nutty primary system, the MSM and a bunch of moronic voters all did their share.”

No question about that!


351 posted on 07/06/2009 10:54:22 AM PDT by stephenjohnbanker (Pray for, and support our troops(heroes) !! And vote out the RINO's!!)
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To: curiosity
No, but it is the VP nominee's role to argue for the policy positions of the top of the ticket, and to attack the opposition's positions. Palin failed utterly on both counts.

You've argued that Palin isn't a conservative, because she fails to effectively support conservative principles. You're also arguing that Palin fails at supporting McCain while attacking the left. After you make up your mind as to which line of reasoning you support, would you please explain how she should have supported the decidedly un-conservative positions of the idiot RINO McCain? The mere fact that you cite her lack of support for non-conservative idiocy as somehow being a "failure" which disqualifies her from holding national office shows your true stripes... as well as it again illustrates your complete lack of understanding of conservative philosophy.

Your next two paragraphs are so full of rambling incoherence that I'm actually having trouble addressing them, so I'll simply say this: if you believe that todays democrat party is even remotely like the democrats of the Kennedy era, you need your head examined. Again you show your true political stripes. As for my "arguing" that Kennedy is considered a conservative, not only did I not make that argument, I would direct you to actually do some research on the ratio of indictments and convictions involving liberals versus those involving conservatives. Not RINOs, conservatives.

But then again, you're probably one of the dreamers that thinks Palin is somehow tarnished after having beaten 17 of 18 ethics charges. The 18th, BTW, is on it's way to getting thrown out as well.
352 posted on 07/06/2009 10:56:28 AM PDT by snowrip (Liberal? YOU ARE A SOCIALIST WITH NO RATIONAL ARGUMENT.)
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To: FreeReign
Sarah is great but not THAT great.

Nixon was politically dead in 1962 and President in 1969
/////////////
Yes but Nixon did not quit in the middle of a job he was elected to do. He was beaten in the presidential election in 1960 and the California gubernatorial election in 1962.

Palin is no Reagan, not many will be but hell...YOU OUGHT TO AT LEAST TRY.

Reagan was shot in the chest at the age of 70! With a bullet an inch from his heart, he had every reason to quit ...

but his Leadership represented the Values of Courage Honor and Commitment.

He finished his four year term and then DID FOUR MORE.

THAT is what you yell “Hell yes” to.

353 posted on 07/06/2009 10:58:05 AM PDT by TomasUSMC ( FIGHT LIKE WW2, FINISH LIKE WW2. FIGHT LIKE NAM, FINISH LIKE NAM)
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To: Reagan Man
Palin is a political lightlight. End of story.

No, beginning of story. What's a lightlight?

Your posts are so FOS all across America computer screens are turning brown.

354 posted on 07/06/2009 10:58:07 AM PDT by Chunga (Vote Republican)
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To: rbmillerjr
"You’ve been here a week nubie and all of your posts are nothing but hate spewing against Palin...."

When you can formulate a coherent thought in defense of your American idol that's backed by reason, logic and facts, I'll be happy to continue the discussion. But, I won't engage in name calling sissy fits.

355 posted on 07/06/2009 11:01:45 AM PDT by OldDeckHand
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To: OldDeckHand
But, I won't engage in name calling sissy fits.

Ironically, you just did.

356 posted on 07/06/2009 11:03:25 AM PDT by meyer ( "The world is a beautiful place and worth fighting for. But not without Freedom.")
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To: TomasUSMC

Reagan cut and run (read QUIT) in Beirut. You do remember the Marine Barrack bombing in Beirut?

A great President. Maybe the greatest of the modern era. But come off of that pedestal.

Palin did what she had to do to extend her political career. She is bigger than Alaska now.


357 posted on 07/06/2009 11:04:12 AM PDT by rbmillerjr (Sara Palin is running for President -- Get used to it.)
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To: TomasUSMC
Yes but Nixon did not quit in the middle of a job he was elected to do. He was beaten in the presidential election in 1960 and the California gubernatorial election in 1962.

Where Nixon said after he lost in 62...."You won't have Nixon to kick around anymore."

If you are going to use Nixon, remember, he quit too. Nice of you to forget that.

Palin resigning frees her to support candidates across the nation to build a base for 2012. It's not about what she's done, but what she will do.

358 posted on 07/06/2009 11:05:19 AM PDT by Pistolshot (The Soap-box, The Ballot-box, The Jury-box, And The Cartridge-Box ...we are past 2 of them.)
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To: OldDeckHand

Welcome to FR.


359 posted on 07/06/2009 11:06:08 AM PDT by rbmillerjr (Sara Palin is running for President -- Get used to it.)
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To: couch1971
You left out: Rout Obama and go on to be easily reelected.

Sarah Palin is indeed the true political heir of Ronald Reagan. All the phony conservatives and white trash Republicans now maligning her will find futile their insidious efforts to defame her.

360 posted on 07/06/2009 11:07:06 AM PDT by jla
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