Posted on 12/03/2010 6:21:37 AM PST by Uncledave
When I see the fervor of Sarah Palin’s fans — and by no means just those who swell the adoring crowds who go to her public appearances — I am convinced that the question is not, “How can she win the GOP nomination?” but “How can she not win it?” When you have anywhere between five and fifteen GOP candidates, all expressing basically the same conservative views, how can anyone other than the only one with the passionate fan base possibly win? And yet: Reading between the lines of what conservative-movement people are saying and writing, there is a great deal of worry about the prospect of a Palin nomination. I would summarize the GOP political writers’ consensus as follows: She must never be criticized, and she must never be nominated.
The most basic underpinning for this view is the notion that she can’t beat Obama, and I think this is a profoundly mistaken assumption. It is based on a too-abstract understanding of the qualifications for the presidency: It holds Palin up against an ideal presidential résumé, and finds her inadequate — which is true enough, but neither fair nor quite relevant. It’s important to remember that in a 2012 general election, she would be confronting not an ideal presidential profile, but an all-too-human flesh-and-blood opponent. The choice between Palin and Obama, phrased in the least flattering (to Palin) possible way, is a choice between a woman who may turn out to be seriously inadequate to the job and, therefore, become a failed president; and a man who has already convincingly demonstrated that he is seriously inadequate to the job and, therefore, already is a failed president. This rather changes the “electability” issue, doesn’t it?
I talked to a savvy GOP politico early this evening, who told me that he believed the Palinmania of her backers — which, as I said above, I consider the gamebreaker for the primaries — will peter out once she goes to Iowa or New Hampshire for the umpteenth time. At that point, he said, she will be seen as just another candidate, and therefore judged on a more even playing field. This commentator knows politics much better than I do, but I remain unconvinced. So far, every gaffe Palin has made and every attack she has endured have only soldered her supporters more securely to her cause. At this point, I think the only way this bond could be broken is through something politically nuclear — the equivalent of Lonesome Rhodes’s famous meltdown at the end of the great 1957 movie, A Face in the Crowd. And anybody who is seriously hoping that, right before the New Hampshire primary, a tape will be released on which Palin is heard referring to Granite State voters as “idiots, morons, and guinea pigs” — well, let me just say that such a person would be letting his hatred of Palin eclipse his common sense.
No, I think the only way Palin will not be the GOP nominee is if she finds a safe, face-saving way to exit the race before the primaries. Some of her supporters may well be working on it: Here is an op-ed, non-ironically titled “Is Sarah Palin Too Good to Be President?” The author says:
Simply, the confines of the presidency may prove too narrow for a name that scales new heights (or, to some, plumbs new depths) in ubiquity and provocation. . . . The iconic images of Sarah the moose-hunter and fisher-woman (many courtesy of her hit TLC show Sarah Palin’s Alaska) and Sarah the tireless, principled and so gosh-darned unpolished campaigner and pundit do not mesh with the duties of the policy wonk in chief, navigating the political terrain, working within the constraints of a one-industry town and facing retirement and decline after a four or eight year apex of public service. Likewise, Teddy Roosevelt, a Republican president with progressive leanings, is as beloved today for his bluster, manliness and war record as he is for his presidential term from 1901-1909.
So she may decide to settle for being a beloved, world-historical figure like TR, and leave the presidency to lesser men (or women!). But there was another politician who faced a similar choice, four years ago: I could be content with the adoring crowds, the bestselling books, the ideological media applauding my every move — or I could go for the presidency. We all know the choice Barack Obama made; and I somehow don’t think — all “quitter” gibes to the contrary — that Sarah Palin has any less fight in her than her fellow basketball player in the Oval Office.
There’s going to be some more split lips before this one’s over.
Wasn't TR elected President twice?
Is this writer on crack?
Most NRO hacks (esp KLO) are RINOland supporters of Mittens - hence the attack on Palin.
This idiot backs Romney?? lol!!!
I know, what a shock, he’s an NRO Romneybot.
And do you think she would be bowing to the misogynist Saudi rulers? >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
She would be polite but firm with the Saudis, and when they could not get theor way with her, they wouold criicize her and rail away.Sarah would then treat them as unmannerly little boys, who are deeply afraid of women, which is the truth of the matter.
She has very good conservative instincts and when she takes her time to think things thru always seems to arrive at the correct conclusion. She is prone to mis-speak at times and occasionally appears a glib light weight, she will have to work at that but right now I don't see anyone even remotely as good. Also, she is a proven reformer, something badly needed in DC.
I like her a lot but am not jumping on the bandwagon until I see evidence that she can win independents.
Here’s an idea. IF you REALLY “like her ALOT”, how about rolling up your sleeves and getting your hands dirty by helping get her message out to win them over instead of riding the fence and waiting till she’s twenty points ahead before you “give her your endorsement” so to speak. Kind of reminds me of a Romney style politics. Your “I like her alot but...” says alot.
“I wonder what planet this guy is from.”
_______________________
Planet NRO - Nattering RINO Oligarchy
- JP
Maybe the folks at NRO should spend more time looking into the candidate’s alleged conservative views rather than trying to anoint certain candidates, and doing ridiculous hit pieces on other.
I agree w/ your assessment of her. I am just skeptical that she can win. You cant take the presidency without support from independents, and IIRC, her support among them has been going down.
Another consideration is timing. In 2012, voters will likely be regretting their support of an inexperienced candidate in 2008 and looking for someone with a lot of experience. 2016 might be a better time for her.
What a pant load. I used to have some respect for NR.
Well said, Candor7 !!
Here’s a novel idea. How about supporting someone because he/she believes what you believe. Decades of nominating Republicans based on “electability” (as defined by the left/establishment) has been catastrophic. Do you have any idea what “compromise” and “moderation” get you in the end? I’ll tell you. In Canada they have gotten us a behemoth government that is all powerful and will never be rolled back.
There is a difference between the qualifications to be the President, as written in the Constitution, and any writer's view of what is or is not "Presidential" and who does or does not have enough "gravitas".
I read and post on FR and about 6 other blogs {under different screen names, having been booted from most of them at least once} and Sarah Palin is the topic that is the most printed.
If she has no chance, why does the left write about her so much?
Why do folks here like pissant, wtc911 and a host of others, all of whom claim to be conservatives, pummel her at every chance?
I just can't get my mind around the fear and hate and animosity that bubbles to the surface when ever her name is mentioned.
I love her and want to vote for her, but if she chooses not to run or if another conservative beats her in the primary, I'll vote for them.
Todd Palin is married to Sarah, I'm just in love with her.
HUH? Thats EXACTLY why I support Govenor Palin. Your point is?
I was around for Reagan, she is Reagan IN High Heels! But better looking, Reagan was not in prime.
Also she Quicker in getting her words out, then any politician in the last 50 years, this is a sign she says what she believes!
Finally, someone who tells the Truth,
She a woman, some seems to think a women can’t run this country, that’s another reason why she needs to be the first women President!
She would do a lot to hurt men having sex with men lifestyle,
Normal would be back in again!
That’s probably the biggest reason that the anti Palin freepers keeping spurring out all the same negatives Reagan lived with, freepers like Pissant (One of our token liberal democrat Trolls and with a sick lifestyle)!
Anyone that prefers Mitt Romney to Sarah Palin, as you do, lacks credibility.
Romney is unqualified to be President.
I was around for Reagan, she is Reagan IN High Heels! But better looking, Reagan was not in prime.
Also she Quicker in getting her words out, then any politician in the last 50 years, this is a sign she says what she believes!
Finally, someone who tells the Truth,
She a woman, some seems to think a women can’t run this country, that’s another reason why she needs to be the first women President!
She would do a lot to hurt men having sex with men lifestyle,
Normal would be back in again!
That’s probably the biggest reason that the anti Palin freepers keeping spurring out all the same negatives Reagan lived with, freepers like Pissant (One of our token liberal democrat Trolls and with a sick lifestyle)!
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