Posted on 08/04/2013 12:40:50 PM PDT by Bratch
Jonah Goldberg, with an unerring eye toward focusing on what really matters, poses the question, what is so great about Hillary Clinton that makes her the obvious Democratic nominee in 2016 and the inevitable next president of the United States?
I would add another question. What makes Ms. Clinton so much better than another well known female politician, namely Sarah Palin?
Goldberg points out that Ms. Clinton doesn't really have any accomplishments to point to during her long career, as lawyer, first lady, senator, and secretary of state. She hasn't actually said anything of interest, except perhaps the ghoulish dismissal of the murder of four American public servants, "What difference does it make?"
Contrast that rather thin record with that of Sarah Palin, whose partial term as governor was largely successful, featuring budget cuts, measures against official corruption, and approval of a gas pipeline. She was an immensely popular governor before the Democratic attack machine used the very ethics laws she caused to be passed to drive her out of office with frivolous lawsuits, using a loophole in the law that required public officials so charged to pay for their own defense. Palin, who was at the time not at all wealthy, was obliged to either resign as governor or else be driven into bankruptcy.
(Excerpt) Read more at voices.yahoo.com ...
"I have the support and agenda of Mitt Romney."
Jonah Goldberg, with an unerring eye toward focusing on what really matters, poses the question, what is so great about Hillary Clinton that makes her the obvious Democratic nominee in 2016 and the inevitable next president of the United States?
[...]
Goldberg points out that Ms. Clinton doesn’t really have any accomplishments to point to during her long career, as lawyer, first lady, senator, and secretary of state. She hasn’t actually said anything of interest, except perhaps the ghoulish dismissal of the murder of four American public servants, "What difference does it make?"
Contrast that rather thin record with that of Sarah Palin, whose partial term as governor was largely successful, featuring budget cuts, measures against official corruption, and approval of a gas pipeline. She was an immensely popular governor before the Democratic attack machine used the very ethics laws she caused to be passed to drive her out of office with frivolous lawsuits, using a loophole in the law that required public officials so charged to pay for their own defense. Palin, who was at the time not at all wealthy, was obliged to either resign as governor or else be driven into bankruptcy.
[...]
Palin went on to be the driving force in the political tsunami that elected hordes of Republicans in 2010. Even in 2012, a bad year in general for Republicans, Palin managed to make a difference, helping to elect GOP candidates like Ted Cruz, now a senator from Texas who has become an affliction to the overly comfortable political establishment.
Of course, Whittington is spot on in his observation. He describes liberals perfectly in the respect that they are obsessed with titles. Normally, all they do is point to a handful of government positions Hillary’s sat in, yet can’t tell us what her signature accomplishments were in any of them. This is no different than Barack Obama of course whose own signature accomplishment remains a horrific health care overhaul that the majority of the country is opposed to.
Governor Palin’s time spent in public office spans two whole decades. In every office, she showcased an impressive story of reform. As city councilwoman, she had the backbone to speak against the good old boys who were trying to mandate garbage service to the benefit of the local disposal company’s owner. As a mayor, she cut her own salary and brought about the kinds of changes that led her hometown to an economic boom. Sitting atop the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (AOGCC), she noticed some inappropriate dealings between some in her own party and big oil companies. As Governor, she cut federal earmarks, fought and defeated big oil crony capitalists, and slashed the budget.
You can read more about those accomplishments in great detail here.
Let alone the lacking of reform measures, and casting titles aside, what did Hillary accomplish for the people? What major pieces of legislation or what kind of policy did she craft which benefited or enhanced the quality of our lives?
Leadership isn’t defined by any particular allotment of time or any number of occupied public seats paid for by the taxpayers, it is defined by what one does while they are entrusted with it.
To anyone who thinks the power of the MSM is diminishing, just look at the public perception of Hillary Clinton vs Sarah Palin.
Palin is without questions, the premier candidate for the GOP.
I do not know, whether the GOP recognizes that fact.
This is a potentially serious problem.
I would like to see Palin be a bit more involved in Politics, leading up toward 2016.
She cannot waffle again. Stand forward Ms. Palin.
Now is your time.
Good article. Jonah Goldberg has said what should have been said before: on what basis should Hillary Clinton be the next U.S. president? Goldberg notes Clinton’s official titles (First Lady, Senator, Secretary of State) but her lack of real accomplishment and contrasts that record with Sarah Palin’s accomplishments as Alaska Governor. The contrast is profound as it demonstrates Hillary Clinton’s lack of substance and the fact that, while Palin is mocked and ridiculed by the leftmedia, she is the woman who actually has something to offer voters beyond a familiar name.
All true.
Hillary Clinton is a nobody famous for being her “husband’s” punching bag.
Other than that, she’s InFamous for her Borgia-like corruption in support of the former Rapist-in-Chief with the after hours trading profits, Vince Foster cover up and probably murder, Whitewater, Benghazi...never ending.
Sarah Palin is a self made woman from the smallest of out of way towns in America, only derided by self-impressed urban fools who look down on her as a rural unsophisticate, as if their own debauchery is some sort of mark of upper class intelligence.
Clinton could win New York, California and Illinois. But everywhere else would be up for grabs, and Palin, properly managed, could win.
But the current idiot version of the Republican party - “led” by Juan McIdiot - can’t manage to even stop medical socialism.
If Sarah is not the GOP nominee after Hildbeast announces her candidacy, it will confirm what I have believed since 2006; the GOP doesn’t give a Shiite about conservatives or conservatism..
Amazing isn’t it.
First the demorats put up a candidate who has never done anything other than vote present and hustle the streets, and then they promote someone with a few dubious titles but again absolutely no accomplishments.
The only so-called title in which she accomplished anything was as First Lady when she saved her hubbie’s hide decrying some vast right wing conspiracy.
What positiive accomplishments can Hillary Clinton refer to compared to Governor Palin?
Governor Sarah Palin’s Accomplishments that garnered her a whopping 92% approval rating:
Energy Independence, Development, and Environmental Stewardship
*Governor Palin’s 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 Palin’s 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 Palin’s administration opened up drilling for oil and natural gas at Pt. Thompson for the first time in decades.
*Governor Palin created the Alaska’s 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 governor’s Fiscal Year 2007 budget, a 9.5% real reduction in spending. Her FY2010 budget was $10.57 billion compared to Governor Murkowski’s 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 state’s 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 governor’s personal chef stationed in Juneau, Alaska’s 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 Palin’s 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 Alaska’s 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 America’s 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 Alaska’s 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 Alaska’s 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 resolutionsHJR-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 Palin’s 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 teacher’s 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. It’s 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 Security’s counterterrorism plans.
The first part of the question is what blows me away? “Why Hillary Clinton?” Why is the “media” already conducting the coronation of Slick Willie’s wife as the next POTUS? What has she ever done to prove that she is even qualified to be POTUS? Benghazi? The failed “arab spring”? Her coronation by the liberal toads in the “media” only shows me how far the standards and qualifications have fallen for being the POTUS since Barry was “elected”. POTUS is now an affirmative action, “anybody can do it” type of job.
Conservatives will never have it easy in the political arena.
I do not talk like this myself but Hillary the beast does..
In Her Own Words - Hillary
She wants to be President?
Sorry for the language but these are her actual words. What a sweet - lady?
“Where is the G*damn f**king flag! I want the G*damn f**king flag up every morning at f**king sunrise.”
Inside the White House, Ronald Kessler, p. 244
Hillary to staff at the Arkansas Governor’s mansion on Labor Day 1991.
F**k off! It’s enough I have to see you shit-kickers every day, I’m not going to talk to you too!! Just do your G*damn job and keep your mouth shut.”
America Evita,
Hillary to her State Trooper body guards after one of them greeted her with “Good Morning”
“If you want to remain on this detail, get your f**king ass over here and grab those bags!”
The First Partner, p. 259
“Stay the f**k back, stay the f**k back away from me! Don’t come within ten yards of me, or else! Just f**king do as I say, Okay!!?”
Unlimited Access, Gary Aldrige (former Chicago-based Secret Service Agent) p. 139
Hillary screaming at her Secret Service detail.
Put this on the ground! I left my sunglasses in the limo. I need those sunglasses. We need to go back!
Dereliction of Duty, pp. 71-72
Hillary to Gov. Clinton when she spots him talking with an attractive female.
This ill-tempered, violent, loud mouth, hateful and abusive woman wants to be your next president and have total control as commander and chief of our Military , the very Military for which she has shown incredible disdain throughout her public life. Surely the people of the United States can easily do better than this.
Why do liberals and the media (but I repeat myself) support Hitlery?
Because Hitlery is pro-infanticide and pro-sodomy. Hitlery also kissed a terrorist’s wife after she spewed anti-Jewish bile AND she, like Obama her benefactor, believes in taking away the wealth of producers and providing them to pro-Democrat corporations and mouth breathers in the voting booth.
Shouldn’t Bests be BEATS?
Palin is without questions, the premier candidate for AMERICA. Scr*w the GOP!
This needs to be driven home. We'll never win over the liberals, but we at least need to win over some Independents and undecideds if President Palin is going to become a reality.
Simple answer is that Hillary has the huge dependent and large government employee backing.
Sarah is a candidate that tells you to put your big boy pants and to grow up.
Plate of money for free (for a short time) or go be responsible for yourself. Which sells for election in these modern times?
That is the problem non-liberal/non-progressive/non-communists have in competing today.
She NEVER waffled. That's only how you interpret it. She has NEVER stood down, Gov. Palin's political life has been anything but.
You're right. If the "free money" doesn't run out before 2016, Americans will vote for more of it.
Eventually there will be both austerity and riots here in America.
Those getting the most (government union employees) will be the one crying the loudest.
Look I am a huge Palin supporter, from back when she was a candidate the first time.
(Before McCain picked her for VP candidate in fact.)
I get it, but she needs to be aware she will need to win over a lot of GOP, who are now a bit perplexed at her.
That is all I am saying. Palin has some PR to start.
I firmly believe she is the right candidate, and I support her 100%.
Just saying I hope she runs, and runs for real this time.
Why wasn't it confirmed to you in '08? And it was a slam dunk in confirming it in '12 and still in unbelief? Confirmation Day is long gone - it's time to start BELIEVING IT.
Barry is the one with the “thin” record. 140 days in the senate voting present! Hillary is like a false store front. She will be further propped up by the dog breath news media. I imagine that Hilary’s enemy’s will pull out some more recordings and evidence just at election time. This next election might be a new Peyton place.
BTTT!
Money vs. grassroots Americans.
And add that many are out of jobs because of money putting and keeping O in office. And money will back HRC and we get the same result. Money equates to power, and then power over the people.
As a side note to the issue of whether Clinton or Palin will be the next president to exercise constitututionally nonexistent Oval Office powers, please consider the following.
I’d support Obama to be president for the rest of his life if he would faithfully promise (not going to happen) to force Congress to tax and spend within its constitutonal Article I, Section 8-limited powers.
In other words, US involvement in global conflicts aside, consider that one of the few intrastate-related powers that the Founding States actually delegated to the feds is to regulate postal services as evidenced by the Constitution’s Clause 7 of Section 8 of Article I. So not only would Obama possibly would be able to spend most of his time on the golf course if he helped patriots to force Congress back into its Section 8-limited power cage, but he could occassionally help Congress to perform its Section 8 duties by using his golf cart to help postal service deliver mail.
On the other hand, Clinton or Palin could learn how to play golf too.
Palin has all the virtues of conservatism across the spectrum, but more importantly, she’s had a history of bucking the ossified corruption of the professional political class... and unlike almost all other political leaders, steadfastedly refused to become beholden to the usual crowd of influences, from special interests to corporate lobbying to even Party machines. The whole sleazy mire that keeps perpetuating larger and larger government, along with the toadying media. She’s obviously paid a big political price for refusing to assimilate into the system, and has had to basically work on the outside as a guerilla fighter for Constitutional restoration.
I certainly have more trust in Palin than anyone else out there, and would support her, whatever avenue she might decide to take. She has the right recipe for America, although I do truly believe it’s likely too late to salvage what has become this dying, decaying farce of a country.
YOU get it BUT she doesn't? You are so laughable. And you believe the GOP is perplexed at her? LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just saying I hope she runs, and runs for real this time.
SHE DIDN'T run in '12, what's wrong with you. And she never said she would. She came out and said she wasn't running. What was in your head before that time is YOUR PROBLEM and not her waffling.
If Palin runs, I will vote for her. If Palin doesn’t run, I seriously doubt that I will bother to vote this time around.
I believe you are perhaps confusing 2008 and 2012.
Sorry.
That is part of the confusion which needs to be straightened out.
Palin was the VP candidate in 2008 in case you forgot.
Palin stood aside in 2012 at the last moment.
I was referring to Palin’s VP run in 2008.
She did fabulously.
Would have won in fact, if she had a stronger leading man.
I have always supported McCain for selecting her as his running mate. But I am increasingly fed up with everything else about him.
I think Palin needs to somehow break publicly with McCain.
If she cannot shut him up, then she should distance herself from him.
Just saying.
(not to mention the fact that Sarah Palin is a racist right wing terrorist)
At least back then they weren’t so in your face with it. I have to admit, that Rubio’s complete and utter betrayal surprised me. I really believed him during his campaign. Between the embarrassing 2008 GOP candidate and his subsequent caucusing with the hard left with no retaliation at all from the GOP, tells me they don’t give a Shiite about conservatives. The whole RNC is a joke. I used to think it was fear of the MSM, but now I know it is nothing more than collusion..
Oh, besides Palin, I could see myself voting for Cruz. But I admit, considering the rancid direction the GOP has been taking the past few years, I am finding my lifelong voting habit is gradually coming to a close. A transition that already started last year. Staying home entirely in 2016 is extremely conceivable for me at this point.
Even though conservatives deal in reality, how do they compete against a rigged system? From the ground up IMO, and the Republican party needs an enema...
Palin is without questions, the premier candidate for the GOP.
I do not know, whether the GOP recognizes that fact.
Recognize it? They abhor it! The establishment republicans HATE Sarah Palin.
It’s not quite true that Hillary has never accomplished anything in any of her jobs.
She played a major role in the Whitewater scam. Also she was the primary player in the Vince Foster murder.
And while she was in the White House, she was pretty good at hurling lamps and ashtrays at people.
There is, as well, a certain element within the media that wishes Hillary to be President because they say so and for no reason of qualification at all. Here "Yes, we can" may be completed as "Yes, we can dictate the country's political leadership." They know that Hillary will reward them and that Palin will not.
Should Palin overcome this and become President these will not be opponents, but mortal enemies, because hers will be an existential threat to them, and her administration will be the recipient of the sort of unremitting warfare that only the unelected and unaccountable - and frequently the unidentified - can carry on.
It doesn't mean she can't win, but the odds are very long against her. We have reached the point where a majority of the voters don't trust the media, but vote against the candidate the media vilify anyway because they don't trust the politicians either.
That along with the IRS, EPA, FEC and numerous other agencies squelching more of the Tea Party voters.
If the politicians, media, etc were honest about Hillary, there would be no Hillary.
Probably because they cannot support Joe Biden, and really who else do they have?
Because Hillary is pro-abortion, and Sarah is not. That is ALL the media, and the libs who pay attention to them, care about
Me loves me Sarah, yes me do
and all the world will love her, too.
Just watch them hate on Hillary.
Compared with Sarah, she's a flea.
No, wait, she's not the flea at all.
She's more the host with blood and gall.
She's vile and evil like a witch.
She's not a flea --> she's just a b*tch.
If you only realized that the GOP doesn’t give a crap about conservatives or conservative policy since 2006, I have to tell you “WAKE UP RIP VAN WINKLE”.
The GOP has openly despised and belittled conservatives and their policies since around 1972.
The GOPe hated Ronald Reagan and every real conservative candidate since Barry Goldwater. That’s why they keep pushing these neo-con whimps on us during the primaries, and making sure they use their money and connections to trash any true conservative.
The “we are making history again” crowd is all that needs to be sed to all the dopes who will vote
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