Bachmann and Perry...Turning on Palin?

06/11/2011 | Brices Crossroads

[Brices Crossroads]

While I freely concede that both Michele Bachmann and Rick Perry have a right to run for President, it is impossible to overlook the fact that their recent benefactress, Sarah Palin, is rolling out her own Presidential campaign at the same time. This would not generally be extraordinary. In politics, alliances are sometimes (although not regularly) forged and broken. However, in my forty years or so of close political observation, I cannot remember an analogous situation in which the beneficiaries of one politician turn on their benefactor (especially a benefactor as conspicuous as Palin) so shortly after having obtained and used the benefactor's endorsement and appearances to secure both campaign cash and votes. In fact, not since Judas hustled away to the Chief Priests from the Last Supper has there been such a propinquity between the favor and the betrayal. I predict that this disloyalty, spotlighted by the freshness of the favors spent upon these two by Palin, will sour the stomachs of GOP primary voters who tend to place more emphasis on character, which is to say: loyalty. Americans despise disloyalty. Disloyalty and its associated character flaws are a tragedy in a human being, but they are a catastrophe in a President. The association, in the American psyche, of disloyalty and the traitor, Benedict Arnold, bespeaks the level of national revulsion with this particularly poisonous character flaw.

Michele Bachmann, by all accounts, faced a tough reelection fight against State Senator Tarryl Clark, a more attractive and far better financed ($4 million war chest) candidate than she had faced in in 2008, when she narrowly beat lightly regarded and under-financed lobbyist Elwyn Tinkenberg by less than 3% of the vote. At Bachmann's request, Palin rode to her rescue early, appearing on her behalf at a packed rally of over 10,000 in Minneapolis on April 8, 2010, which was nationally televised on Sean Hannity's FOX program. Bachmann parlayed Palin's endorsement and high profile support into a fund raising bonanza of $13.4 million, which she used to swamp Clark. Indeed, the lopsided money advantage freed her to travel around the country campaigning for others and posing as the real TEA party heavyweight. Armed with this Palin-generated largesse, she easily beat Clark by 12%, the largest margin of victory in her career, including her two state Senate Races. Now she is using the balance of these "thirty pieces of silver" to pay odious characters like Ed Rollins to smear Sarah Palin as "not serious" and too lazy to "gain substance" in contrast to Bachmann, who "ha[s] worked hard" and been "a leader of the TEA party". Such treachery, which is both frank and fresh, makes me and every fair-minded person (whether pro- Palin or neutral) sick to our collective stomachs.

Rick Perry similarly faced a very competitive GOP primary against a sitting U.S. Senator, who is more liberal than he, and a solid conservative, Deb Medina, who was very popular with conservatives in Texas and nationally. In essence, he was squeezed from both directions, a challenge on the left and on the right. As she did with Bachmann, Palin went to Perry's aid early and often, endorsing him in the summer of 2009, ahead of the March 2010 primary. The first poll of Perry (by Rasmussen on September 16, 2009), which included both Hutchison and Medina, showed Hutchison pulling ahead of Perry 40-38, with Medina in single digits at 3%.

LINK

Perry crowed ad nauseam about Palin's endorsement in order to prevent Medina from gaining real traction and eclipsing him among conservatives. At the time of the endorsement, Perry had this to say about the value of Governor Palin's endorsement and their warm personal friendship:

'Facing a tough Republican primary fight next year in his bid for a third term, Gov. Rick Perry of Texas is brandishing the heavy artillery: Sarah Palin's endorsement of his campaign."If there's a bigger endorsement in the Republican universe, I don't know who it is than Sarah," he declared in a telephone interview over the weekend. He described the Alaska governor and 2008 vice presidential nominee as a "close personal friend" who knows my heart."'

LINK

As Matt Lewis observed in the article, "Palin's nod is indeed an asset for Perry, helping him cement his appeal to social conservatives in the Lone Star State." While Perry never again fell behind, even Palin's endorsement could not totally blunt the momentum for Deb Medina, who continued to rise in the polls, reaching a high point of 24% on February 7, 2010, three weeks before the primary, and reducing Perry's showing to 39% (Hutchison had 28%). Enter Palin again. She appeared at a nationally televised rally in Houston that drew over 8000 people on Super Bowl Sunday, February 8, 2010. After the rally, Medina never again broke 20 in a poll.

LINK

With Palin's conspicuous and staunch support, Perry barely beat back the challengers in March 2 primary, winning 51% to 30% for Hutchison and 19% for Medina. Even with Palin's support, Medina nearly forced a runoff, so great was conservative revulsion with Perry in Texas. Had Palin backed Medina as strongly as she backed Perry, it is quite possible that Medina and Hutchison would have been in a run off, and Perry would have been odd man out. Had Palin done nothing for Perry, it is a foregone conclusion that he would have faced a tough runoff. In other words, Perry owes Palin his political hide.

As I said at the outset of this article, both Perry and Bachmann are free to run for President or any other office for which they are constitutionally qualified. The First Amendment however also grants observers the right to express themselves on both the timing and the circumstances of their putative candidacies as well as their previous interaction with "close personal friends" who come to their aid. In assessing both Perry and Bachmann, conservative voters should ask themselves the following question: "In light of how these two have conducted themselves toward Sarah Palin in the last year or so, do you trust either of them---should they be elected--not to double cross you?"

I believe that question answers itself.

[Vendome]

Yes she did. In fact, she said they are good friends.

This was a day or so ago and I believe the answer came in response to a question on the issue.

Let me find it for you.

I love these girls, admire their moxy and appreciate their friendship.

[SF_Redux]

if the , so called, republicans would have acted like one, we wouldn’t have obutthead now

[marron]

There is nothing wrong if Bachmann and Perry decide to test the waters. Nothing wrong at all.

But I will say this. The people they need to win are the same people who like Palin, and they aren’t going to successfully woo them by attacking her. Their best shot is to present themselves as the best person running to achieve the things that they and Palin and the “tea party” Repubs believe in. They can’t win by attacking her, it will only turn off the people who support her which is a large chunk of the rank and file. Rollins isn’t smart enough to know that but Perry and Bachmann should or they aren’t smart enough to win.

[UnwashedPeasant]

What Leftist rag did you get this propaganda from?

The writer argues that none of Palin’s allies can run for President without betraying her. So Palin can be the only conservative, and everyone else running has to be a RINO.

Then what if Palin does not run? It would be all RINOs. That is the clear agenda of the article writer.

[Vendome]

I don't believe she called Ed on the carpet publicly.  That would be bad mojo and she needs another manager.

 

Here is what she said:

“All I want to say that I like Sarah Palin a lot, we’re friends. And I don’t consider her a competitor, I consider her a friend. But my comparison ultimately is to Barack Obama,” Bachmann said.

 

Video

afa;k;jafa;r

 

Full article:

http://blogs.abcnews.com/george/2011/05/michele-bachmann-on-sarah-palin-shes-a-friend-but-would-still-run-against-her-.html

 

[deport]

What Leftist rag did you get this propaganda from?

---

This should be interesting..........

[CincyRichieRich]

chmann and Perry...Turning on Palin?
No, that’s divisive hype, mostly driven by Paulbots and Obama trolls, don’t fall for it.

Beyond that, Bachmann made a boneheaded move bringing in Rollins. If she hasn’t dumped him already, she should.

Perry and Palin could actually make a formidable team, such an eventuality wouldn’t bother me...

---

I was gonna post nearly exactly the same wording...I agree completely. I don’t care which is in front, but I prefer Palin/Perry at this point as I trust her judgement to not be squishy or believe in global warming like that other idiot.

[JustAnotherOne]

Palin is too timid. Does not promote the GOP platform. She will be the Ross Perot of 2012.
Perry 2012

[Vendome]

look, I was being nice because you are an old poster and I attempted to be gentle as possible.

You absolutely implied, imputed whatever that Perry and Bachmann are back stabbing Sarah.

They are turning on Palin? LOL How else would one read that?

Stop being defensive. This wasn’t your best writing and like another Freeper said you might have slept on it and then looked at it again before posting.

Heck I have written worse.

Then again, right now, I’m thinking my writing is pretty dang’d good since it garnered your attention.

LOL

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

What are her plans?

[Brices Crossroads]

“What Leftist rag did you get this propaganda from?

*************************************

I don’t read leftist rags nor do I plagiarize from anyone. If you read FR with any regularity you would know that. Yet you see the “clear agenda” I have. What a joke you are.

****************************************

“The writer argues that none of Palin’s allies can run for President without betraying her.”
___________________________________________

So far, at least, it seems that Palin is an ally of Bachmann and Perry based upon her support of them in their elections last year. When she was being slimed over the Tuscon shooting last year, what did we hear from her “allies” Bachmann and Perry? Crickets. Now her “allies” are preparing to run against their in the GOP primary, Bachmann having already sent out her attack dog to smear her. Allies? Do you know the definition of the word? Lord, spare me from allies such as these.

_______________________________________

“Then what if Palin does not run? It would be all RINOs. That is the clear agenda of the article writer.”

If Palin doesn’t run, only two of the remaining candidates are conservatives, Cain and Bachmann, and they are minor candidates without the money or ability to get the nomination. Bachmann has already shot herself in both feet with her Rollins stunt. She will never recover from that.

If Palin doesn’t run, there is no viable constitutional conservative in the current field. Period. The country will be in a world of hurt.

[Outlaw Woman]

Late to the debate, however, can you provide a direct quote or action, other than ‘thinking’ about running for president that Perry has stated.

Bachmann has clearly turned. This is obvious with the hiring of Rollins and her silence after his disparaging remarks against Palin.

I have not seen that out of Perry. The only thing that has been publicized is the fact he is ‘thinking’ about running.

Thx

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

At this point, Bachmann has formed an exploratory committee--Palin has not. As a matter of fact, to my knowledge, Palin has never said she is running.

With each passing day, it gets more remote and most pundits say she is not running and are not taking a possible Palin candidacy seriously.

[FreeReign]

Is Rollins employed by Bachmann? Has Bachmann given any indication that she didn't like the type of attack that Rollins made?

I don't believe she called Ed on the carpet publicly. That would be bad mojo and she needs another manager. Here is what she said:

“All I want to say that I like Sarah Palin a lot, we’re friends. And I don’t consider her a competitor, I consider her a friend. But my comparison ultimately is to Barack Obama,” Bachmann said.

What Rollins has said as Bachmann's campaign manager.

“People are going to say, ‘I gotta make a choice and go with the intelligent woman who’s every bit as attractive.’”

"Sarah has not been serious over the last couple of years"

"She got the vice-presidential thing handed to her. She didn't go to work in the sense of trying to gain more substance. She gave up her governorship."

Bachmann did not apoligize for, nor disagree with any of the above remarks made by her campaign manager.

I believe that's a clear indication that she supports those kinds of attacks against Palin.

[FreeReign]

You set the bar higher for Palin than you do Bachmann. Palin must "declare" a run, while Bachmann only needs to "indicate" a run. Neither have declared and both have shown indications that they may run.

At this point, Bachmann has formed an exploratory committee

Really? I can't find one source that says she has.

--Palin has not.

Both Palin and Bachmann have not.

As a matter of fact, to my knowledge, Palin has never said she is running.

Both Palin and Bachmann have not said that they are running.

With each passing day, it gets more remote and most pundits say she is not running and are not taking a possible Palin candidacy seriously.

Do me a favor, FRiend.

Don't listen to the LSM pundits.

Thanks.

[onyx]

What Leftist rag did you get this propaganda from?

Get washed before you post again.

[onyx]

Palin is too timid. Does not promote the GOP platform. She will be the Ross Perot of 2012. Perry 2012

ROTFL.

Sarah Palin is anything but timid.
She's shown the most courage of anyone in politcs today.

RUN SARAH, RUN! (click)

[moose-matson]

You are confusing audacity with courage. True courage never quits.

[Elendur]

“What Leftist rag did you get this propaganda from?

The writer argues that none of Palin’s allies can run for President without betraying her. So Palin can be the only conservative, and everyone else running has to be a RINO.

Then what if Palin does not run? It would be all RINOs. That is the clear agenda of the article writer.”

/// straw men arguments, and personal attacks? that doesn’t sound like conservative FReepers to me.

UnwashedPeasant made the same mistake Vendome did in incorrectly reading the original article.
post 77 addressed this rather emphatically:

“Neither the article nor the title addresses “anyone” other than the two putative candidates”
- - -
...i don’t totally agree with the original article. but, attacking a man for something he DIDN’T say, i do object to.

and the original article did have good information i didn’t know. and, while perhaps he says it clumsily by some standards, he makes great points. Like that unlike the left, to the right, character and integrity DO matter.

i WOULD have proudly voted for Bachmann before. but if you look at those “Rollins” threads, you will see MANY people know that Rollins said ridiculous things about Palin long before he was hired.
Bachmann knew this. and endorses it by her silence. Most would have forgiven her, if she had immediately fired Rollins for repeated his remarks AFTER he was hired. but she didn’t.

i LITERALLY only voted in 2008, because of Sarah. The GOP doesn’t understand, that i may be in the minority, but i’m not alone.
i will stay home rather than vote for a candidate that i don’t respect now (Bachmann), or a Rhino ( Romney or Perry).

Also, there were several other posts in the 60’s that i felt had similar misunderstandings, and i was going to respond to, until i saw that FreeReign responded to those brilliantly. much better than i could do. I enjoyed reading ALL his comments.

Post #51 by onyx was beautiful. thank you!
Certainly people can run against her. but they should have defended her after Tuscon, and not allow people like Rollins to call her “lazy”. They NEED our enthusiasm in 2012. and they won’t get it, by showing a lack of character.

#52 “Facebook” bears repeating:
Palin: approaching 3.2 million
Bachmann: 188,000
Perry: 56,000.

[Flyover027]

Let’s start with I’m a huge Palin fan..I’ll go so far as to say Palin isn’t Reaganesque.. rather Reagan is Palinesque..
Having said that, I, like so many others, are at least a bit ‘anxious’ about her waiting game..and Bachmann and Perry have every right to get into the primary contest.. heck, Sarah herself encourages competition...

I don’t accept Bruce’s contention that Michelle or Perry are being ‘disloyal’ by allwoing their names to be considered in the primary..

Let the best person win..

I believe if she wants it, that will be Sarah.