Posted on 08/12/2012 12:24:58 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
The GOP is slowly releasing the names of speakers for the upcoming convention in Tampa. This week it was announced that former presidential candidate Rick Santorum will address the delegates. Among the other confirmed speakers is former Republican Party presidential candidate U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ).
As the Republican Party prepares to challenge an incumbent president in November, it needs to have total unity in its ranks. One good way to solidify support from conservatives and Tea Party activists who are lukewarm toward presumptive nominee Mitt Romney is to invite former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to speak at the convention.
Over the past year, Palin has had the magic touch in her endorsements. Her endorsed candidates have won races all across the country, including the recent victory in the Texas Senate GOP primary. Conservative candidate Ted Cruz was not only endorsed by Palin, she made a highly publicized visit to the state to speak on his behalf. In many of these endorsements, Palin has supported underdog candidates with limited funding. As in Texas, Palin usually endorses candidates opposed by the Republican Party establishment. It is a way to support conservatives and at the same time challenge the moderate country club wing of the party that has been in control for so long.
Palin and her Tea Party supporters are tired of the Beltway elite running the Republican Party. Likewise, the GOP powerbrokers don’t care much for Palin. For example, in a recent CNN interview, former Vice President Dick Cheney criticized her selection as John McCain’s running mate in 2008.
Cheney’s disapproval only helps to generate more support for Palin. He is also dead wrong. In 2008, she brought enthusiasm and excitement to the McCain campaign. While some liberals claim she was the reason for his defeat, nothing could be further from the truth. She energized a dead campaign with a weak nominee. Right after her selection, the polls shot up for McCain. Palin gave a tremendous acceptance speech at the GOP convention and was well received on the campaign trail. While she made some missteps in “gotcha” television interviews, the fault lies with the McCain campaign, which did not properly prepare her for the media grilling.
Once the 2008 campaign ended, she soon thereafter resigned as governor of Alaska. Of course, she did not go away and actually increased her public profile. As a best selling author, reality TV star and Fox News commentator, Palin has become the most popular advocate on behalf of the Tea Party and conservatism.
Whenever Palin arrives to campaign, the media and a swarm of supporters always follow. She is a crowd favorite because conservatives admire her strong principles and courage in standing up against a negative onslaught from the media and her political enemies.
To unify the party, excite conservatives and bring viewers to an otherwise dull convention, Mitt Romney needs to give Sarah Palin a prominent speaking role. While Romney is not conservative or affiliated with the Tea Party, Palin has the credentials to reach those voters on his behalf.
Political conventions are a time that parties come together to unite behind a candidate, but all factions of the party need to feel included. Romney won the nomination even though he is not conservative. In contrast, most of the convention delegates and GOP activists are clearly conservatives. These rank and file members of the Republican Party would love to hear from Sarah Palin at the convention, as would millions of Americans watching at home.
By giving Palin a speaking role at the convention, Romney will help ensure harmony in the party and give reluctant conservatives more of a reason to vote for him in November.
Formally making a deal with Palin is the smart, sensible, grown-up thing for the Romney campaign to do. So of course, it hasn’t happened yet. And I’m not holding my breath for it.
BTTT!
I will make NO donations to the campaign or the RNC until she speaks.
“...making a deal with Palin is the smart, sensible, grown-up thing for the Romney campaign to do...”
It is also the politically savvy and wise thing to do but that isn’t Gov.Romney. He is not a real politician, and whether that is good or bad, it is yet to be seen if he learned anything from being a failed governor.
I believe he is afraid of her and what she represents: the conservative heart of America.
And we’re both correct in our assessments on it happenning - like when Hell freezes over!
LET PALIN SPEAK!
LET PALIN SPEAK!
If there was a movement, a ground-swell of support for her to speak, then RR couldn't refuse. They really couldn't. It would also be a litmus test for Romney's ability to endorse Tea Party demands, testing whether he has the inner strength to make "unsavory" conservative decisions that go against his grain. Let the ground-swell BEGIN!!!
LET PALIN SPEAK!
LET PALIN SPEAK!
LET PALIN SPEAK!
In the news, and up to the last minute, it is known that she won't speak.
At the convention, John McCain steps up to the microphone. After a long silent pause, he slowly looks from left to right...and then quite suddenly, and with increasing volume, he announces that he will relinquish his speaking time tonight to, "That tireless worker, an inspiring patriot.....from the great State of Alaska, I give you my former running mate and good friend, Governor Sarah Palin!!
Shocker! .....a roar goes up that can only be described as explosive, followed perhaps by the greatest and longest standing ovation in Republican convention history!
ELECTRIC!!
What a night!
Well, I can dream, can't I?
At first I was really pissed off that she wasn’t invited to speak(Or whatever the story is) but after thinking about it I have come to realize its a blessing in disguise. Sarah doesn’t need to kiss Romney’s behind in order to get to speak at the Convention. If Romney loses, they can’t put the blame on her, they can’t do to her what was done in 2008. This way she will focus on the Senate and the House(Both of which we need to take control besides the Presidency) and that is where she will make the most difference. If they don’t want her at the Convention that’s fine, I won’t watch, it will be a bore fest anyway, it’s their loss, NOT hers
Agree.
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