Posted on 11/16/2010 4:31:51 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
There is little doubt that Sarah Palin is running for president. But while Mitt Romney is archaically gallivanting across the country to raise money for his run, Palin has molded her platform into a 21st Century media sensation.
Topping off her unofficial campaign for the White House, Sarah Palins reality show premiered Sunday night with a viewership of over 5 million TCLs largest premiere to date. And it is with this show, that Palin will reintroduce herself to the county.
As embarrassing as it may be, I did watch her new show. Even though I find Palin damning to our national debate, she comes off pretty nicely. The show is scripted, let that be known, but to the average viewer who will tune in and rediscover Palin, they will see an average-seeming, relatable American.
As much as I doubt Palins intelligence, she has cleverly crafted herself into a position with all of the benefits of a presidential candidate with none of the shortfalls. No debates, no press interviews, nothing. The eight-episode series will serve as an effective run up to Palin announcing her candidacy sometime next year.
In addition to her series, she has worked her way onto a popular primetime show on a major network. As her daughter shakes her hips on Dancing with the Stars Palins cameo comes across unassuming as a supportive mother, but the devil is in the details. A recent study outlined in The Hollywood Reporter shows that Dancing with the Stars is one of the top ten shows watched by self described conservatives Palins go-to crowd.
Palin isnt just taking TV by storm. While Obama my have built his campaign on Facebook, Palin has come to dominate Twitter. Out of all the possible GOP contenders, Palins has the number of followers presidential hopefuls dream about. And when she tweets, she stirs a media storm. As Howard Fineman so eloquently put, Sarah Palin, of course, is the Gore Vidal of attack tweets.
If you doubt Pains prowess as a presidential hopeful, just look what she has done in the past year: become a correspondent on Fox News, published a book, helped build the small tea party movement into a national force, launched a TV show, and built a monumental following on Twitter and Facebook.
I know what you may be saying: sure she has selling power but it doesnt mean shell win the nomination. But look at the key victories Palins endorsements brought. She helped elect six governors, two I should add are in the key primary states of Iowa and South Carolina these favors will be called in. Second she successfully endorsed 18 winning House candidates and 6 winning senate candidates among these newly elected senators are Rand Paul and Marco Rubio who will comprise her steering committee.
Lastly from the moment she declares her candidacy, Palin will dominate the election. Other candidates may be able to outspend her, but her star power will be unmatched. She will win the Iowa caucus, because Iowa doesnt usually have a history of picking party darlings. Just look how Mike Huckabee overtook Mitt Romney in the caucuses. When she wins here, it will be just as big of a moment as it was for President Obama.
Palin is a force to be reckoned with inside the Republican party. The problem shell need to overcome after she wins the Republican nomination will be positioning herself as a realistic alternative to President Obamasomething that may prove tricky with voters who voted against candidates with similar values, like Christine ODonnell and Sharon Angle.
How many past Presidents do you suppose have had FEDERAL executive experience?
GWB? Nope.
Clinton? Nope.
GHWB? Yep. He was VP. And he ran the CIA, if you want to count that.
Reagan? Nope.
Carter? Nope. Unless you want to count Naval officer as a FEDERAL executive position.
Ford? Well, he spent ten months as the VP...
Nixon? Yep. Eight years as VP.
Johnson? Yep. Three years as VP.
Kennedy? Nope. Eisenhower? Commanding general of SHAEF qualifies.
Truman? Almost four months as the VP.
So, in your mind, I guess serving as the Vice-President is a vital qualification for the post of President? Well, she was nominated for VP. Isn't that worth something...???
she should have never quit her elected postion. it makes her appear flighty and not serious.
To you, perhaps. But you might try understanding her reasons. Under the circumstances, it was best for Alaska...and for her.
Ye Gods, man. Study some history. MOST presidential candidates have NOT had "federal executive experience". But most of them HAVE been governors of states or had similar positions.
"sorry, she should have never quit her elected postion. it makes her appear flighty and not serious.
Anybody who has actually taken the time to study WHY she did what she did will not draw that conclusion. And it has turned out to be a real unexpected positive for her, as it has relieved her of those Alaska state duties and freed her to do all the OTHER things she has.
"i say again, there must be somebody else."
Who???? Name some names.
"No experience", eh?
Of the four candidates in the 2008 presidential race (Obama, Biden, McCain, and Palin), ONLY Sarah Palin had ANY executive experience.
Governor Sarah Palins record:
Energy Independence, Development, and Environmental Stewardship
*Governor Palins cornerstone accomplishment is AGIA (Alaska Gasline Inducement Act). During the Palin administration, TransCanada and Exxon formed an alliance to build a natural gas pipeline from Alaska to the Lower 48. Under Governor Palins governance, the project was expanded and revised from what previous governors had proposed with an open policy process for the Alaskan people. More progress was made on this effort than in the previous 30 years. This is the largest private sector infrastructure project in North American history and helps put us on the path to energy independence.
*Governor Palins administration opened up drilling for oil and natural gas at Pt. Thompson for the first time in decades.
*Governor Palin created the Alaskas Petroleum Integrity Office to oversee all aspects of energy development and to make sure oilfield equipment was safe to operate and a Climate Change Subcabinet to comprehensively and honestly evaluate climate change.
Fiscal Conservatism
*Governor Palin reduced earmark requests for the state of Alaska by 80% during her administration, requesting only earmarks that would benefit the country as a whole.
* Governor Palin reduced spending in her budget for Fiscal Year 2010 by more than one billion dollars from the previous governors Fiscal Year 2007 budget, a 9.5% real reduction in spending. Her FY2010 budget was $10.57 billion compared to Governor Murkowskis FY2007 budget of nearly $11.7 billion. At the same time, she fulfilled her campaign promise to forward fund education, allowing districts greater flexibility and predictability in their planning.
*Governor Palin opposed much of the stimulus, wanting only to accept 55% of the money allocated to Alaska, specifically only dollars dedicated to infrastructure [projects. Although the Alaskan legislature ultimately overturned her veto, she stood firm on her commitment to help Alaska to become more self-sufficient while not adding to not add to the skyrocketing national debt.
* Governor Palin invested $5 billion in state savings.
Walking the Walk on Fiscal Responsibility
*Governor Palin sold the private jet purchased by the previous governor. She state it was an unnecessary financial burden on the state and was unable to land on many of the states landing strips.
* To cut costs that would be incurred by continuing to use a personal driver like previous governors, the governor drove herself from Wasilla to her office in Anchorage. She also dismissed the governors personal chef stationed in Juneau, Alaskas capital.
* Governor Palin accepted less state per diem for herself and her family than her predecessors even though she had a larger family.
10th Amendment Advocacy/Promotion of State Constitution
*Showing that she is a strong supporter of the 10th amendment, Governor Palin advocated for the sovereignty of the state of Alaska.
*Governor Palins administration sued the federal government for placing the polar bear on the endangered species list, as this restriction affected energy development which would increase energy costs.
*A Constitutionalist, Governor Palin signed Alaskas Clear and Equitable Share (ACES) bill into law. The Alaska constitution states that the Alaskan people own the oil and other resources. This law ensures that the owners, the people of Alaska, receive a clear and equitable share of oil profits.
National Defense/Veterans
*Governor Palin supported ground-based missile defense Ft Greely and other Alaskan Bases around to protect America from Americas enemies. She criticized the Obama administration for cuts that they made to this national defense system.
*Governor Palin, with Senators Murkowski and Begich, fought for retirement benefits from the federal government that were due to the Alaska Territorial Guard members who fought during World War II. These benefits were eventually rewarded to these veterans by the federal government.
* Governor Palin visited Alaskan soldiers in Kosovo and Kuwait.
Transparency/Anti-Corruption
*Governor Palin signed bipartisan ethics reform legislation into law that helped to hold both the legislative and executive branches accountable.
*Governor Palin put the state checkbook online, allowing all constituents to see how state money was being spent.
Health Care
*Governor Palin introduced health care transparency legislation which aimed at putting information in the hands of consumers about cost and quality of health care as a way to make health care consumer driven and accessible.
Sanctity and Dignity of All Life
* Governor Palin strongly supported both parental consent and parental notification legislation.
*Governor Palin increased educational funding for special needs children.
*Governor Palin implemented the Senior Benefits Program to support low income seniors.
Positions Held while Governor
* Chairman of the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission.
*Vice Chair of the National Governors Association Natural Resource Committee.
* She served as chair of the Alaska Conservation Commission, which regulates Alaskas most valuable non-renewable resources: oil and gas. She was elected by her peers to serve as president of the Alaska Conference of Mayors. In this role, she worked with local, state and federal officials to promote solutions to the needs of Alaskas communities.
She exposed legal violations and conflicts of interest of Alaska Republican leaders, including the former state Attorney General and the State GOP Chairman (who was also an Oil & Gas Commissioner), who was doing work for the party on public time and supplying a lobbyist with a sensitive e-mail. Several went to jail.
Governor Palin signed several pieces of legislation and resolutions during July 2009. They were:
SB-125: Encourage aerospace development in AK
SB-177: Extend sunset for sport fishing guides and address harvest data collection
Pro-energy development and missile defense resolutions
HJR-27: Alaska a Sovereign State
HJR-25: Hydro-Electric a Renewable Resource
HJR-28: Oppose Federal Restriction on Oil and Gas Development
HJR-12: Support Missile Defense System
SB-88: Power cost equalization
Defending Second Amendment rights.
SB-201: Extends Concealed Carry Permit Expiration to 5 Years from Birthday.
HJR-17: Urges Congress not to pass HR-45.The federal legislation would put burdensome licensing and registration controls on individual gun owners.
SJR-10: Urges Congress to pass S-371. The legislation was to ensure that citizens of each state who are licensed or authorized by their home state to carry a concealed weapon, could do so in another state as long as they comply with the laws of that state.
SJR-3: The resolution expresses support to Congress for repealing the ban on carrying a firearm on National Park Service lands.
SB-3 Requiring information sharing between two agencies.
HRJ-19 Supports requirement of escort for loaded tankers traversing Prince William Sound.
The Governor appointed 29 people to boards, commissions and councils and made three judicial appointments between July 6, 2009 and July 26, 2009.
Governor Palins total appointments for 2009 was123, including 116 to boards, commissions and councils, five judicial appointments, one legislative and one attorney general. Governor Palin averaged one appointment every 1.67 days during 2009.
The Governor vetoed $28.6 million in stimulus money that would have involved federal interference with the state of Alaska.
Governor Palin signed bills removing experience caps on teachers salaries and extending boat safety programs.
Governor Palin signed legislation that gave struggling charter schools a one-year grace period to increase enrollments or integrate with other charter schools. She also signed legislation that authorizes Alaska to enroll in the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children.
Governor Palin signed legislation granting birth certificates for stillborn babies.
Governor Palin signed legislation authorizing the state to fund retirement benefits for Alaska Territorial Guard veterans. The federal government ceased funding benefits on April 1, 2009.
Governor Palin signed legislation safeguarding student loans.
Sarah Palin was Commander of the Alaska National Guard. Alaska is the first line of defense in our missile interceptor defense system. The 49th Missile Defense Battalion of the Alaska National Guard is the first line of defense unit that protects the entire nation from ballistic missile attacks. Its on permanent active duty, unlike other Guard units in the United States. As governor of Alaska, Palin was briefed on highly classified military issues, homeland security, and counterterrorism daily.
Governor Palin was the commander in chief of the Alaska State Defense Force (ASDF), a federally recognized militia incorporated into Homeland Securitys counterterrorism plans.
Palin’s 18 years in politics sure dwarfs Mitt Romney’s 18 years in politics(you didn’t know that?), yet Romney never has to deal with guys like you.
“So, in your mind, I guess serving as the Vice-President is a vital qualification for the post of President? Well, she was nominated for VP. Isn’t that worth something...??? “
I wish she was VP right now. Then she’d have quite a bit of experience to run on in 2012. That was the idea: elect mcCain to serve for 4 years and she’d be ready.
“But most of them HAVE been governors of states or had similar positions.”
more than 2 years, though.
I've remarked on a few occasions that Bubba is probably watching her political moves with genuine awe. Every seasoned political pro has to be duly amazed by what she's doing.
She's taking the old game of politics to an entirely new level as we speak. Her opponents and enemies underestimate her at their peril.
The danger Palin is to the Rinocratic Oligarchy is principally that she has the potential to unite so many Americans.
Washington DC and the Rinocratic Oligarchy has spent two generations investing in a hyphenated America...the bits and pieces of which can be played off one another in return for power and control.
A united America has the potential to insist upon Constitutional Government....something akin to a crucifix in the face of a devil to the Rinocratic Oligarchy.
She has accomplished more than about anyone I can think of.
I advocate uniting behind Palin before they foist another McCain on us. We simply can't afford that.
There is much to be said for that observation.
You would think, if we elected the smartest person in our district to be our congressman, that Congress would qualify as a chapter of Mensa.
This whole question of "smarts" needs to be addressed. Most administrations seem to purposefully hire "the best and the brightest" -- which usually translates to an Ivy League reunion.
Yet, is it not these "best and the brightest" who have maneuvered the country into its current sorry state? Didn't they make the mess that somebody like Gov. Palin (a graduate of Idaho) will have to clean up?
Buckley posed the notion of being governed by the first six-hundred names in the Boston phone book. It strikes me that six-hundred names picked at random from the alumni lists at Idaho, Oklahoma State, Michigan Tech, Southwest Louisiana State, Wooster and Prairie View A&M, etc., could do a better job than the Sons of Harvard, Princeton and Yale have been doing.
I watched her premiere episode and liked it but Im unsure if it really helps her as a candidate.
(*sigh*) Another troglodyte crawls out of his cave and blinks in pain and confusion at the strange fireball in the sky.
Palin's numerous years of executive experience qualify her eminently for further, and higher responsibilities...as opposed to Obama who, as Krauthammer said tonight on OReilly, has never run so much as a candy store.
What "experience" do you suppose a person gains by serving as Vice President? The post mostly consists of presiding over ribbon cutting ceremonies and acting as a spokesman for the President's agenda. Outside of Dick Cheney, most VP's hardly ever see the inside of the Oval Office, nor are they a part of the day to day operations of the Executive.
Palin is plenty ready to assume the duties of President. Check post #63 for a partial excerpt of her resume for office.
Palin quit 16 months before the 2010 election.
Retired Intelligence Officer: Good Post!
When President Reagan flew west into the sunset in 1989 America was at her pinnacle. We have since had twenty one years of being governed by a bipartisan gaggle of Ivy League einsteins. Look at the fine mess they've got us into. Talk about needing an exit strategy from the quagmire.
God save America from Harvard intellectuals.
“Reagan didnt have Federal experience either.”
Or Carter, or Clinton, Bush II...just in recent times. That is simply not even a valid criticism of Palin.
The valid criticism of Palin is not completing her term. I have listened to a lot of apologists for her resignation, but have not found the explanations persuasive enough, from the standpoint of a non-idealogy driven independent voter.
Any candidate needs a lot of those type voters, to win. That is the prism we must consider, in sizing up the prospects of prospective candidates.
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