Sarah Palin: What I've Learned

Esquire ^ | February 5, 2009 | Ryan D'Agostino

[CutePuppy]

She can now form a PAC or another organization, make some money to cover the legal expenses and debt incurred while fighting baseless ethics charges (it's a shame that legal fund was not set up to help one of our warrior-women), be a political commentator on 3-letter networks and otherwise be free and flexible to have a family life and possibly help in fundraising and/or stumping for deserving Republican candidates for public office, in primaries and general elections.

And, unlike George W. Bush, that had no succession policy in place, she almost guaranteed her Lt. Governor a successful election in next cycle.

Also, if she decides at some point that she is prepared and is willing to put substantial effort, not just be "drafted" like Fred Thompson, into a presidential campaign, she'll be free to do it on her own terms.

Nixon and Reagan became Presidents running from "outside the government", after having serious experience in government service and then leaving to private life before running for President. Bushes are, of course, the family with a government service, it's in their blood, but they had some of Reagan's help in their 1988 and 2004 wins. Ford, Dole and McCain, running from "inside the government", have been decidedly unsuccessful. "Outside Washington" seems to be the more successful model for Republicans candidates.

Godspeed to you, Sarah, whatever you eventually decide to do.

[SolidWood]

Uhm... She already has SarahPAC. http://www.sarahpac.com

[SolidWood]

Palin PING!

Anyone on or off the Palin ping, write me.

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

Uh, she's already got a PAC and a legal defense fund....

[GOP Poet]

bookmark

[truth_seeker]

“Nixon and Reagan became Presidents running from “outside the government””

And after completing their elected terms, and after writing extensively about their political philosophies.

Time will tell if she even intends to pursue further elected office.

If she does, her resignation today without completing her term, or more of it, will be one strike.

The second strike will be her unwillingness to endure the attacks, which go along with political elected service.

Two strikes. Is she cut out to be a comeback kid?

I read elsewhere that she can stay out of politics for 8 to 12 years, and still be under 60—Hillary’s age when she tried for Pres.

If she writes and speaks over a period of years, that gives her family a chance to grow up.

That would be running from “outside the government” in the Nixon - Reagan mode. But would not be so, for 2012.

[free me]

that’s one legitimate way to look at it.

The other is to recognize that Sarah trancends the press, her reasoning is legitimate, and she could give a fig if the MSM believes her.

I know what version I’ll believe...

[SolidWood]

And after completing their elected terms

Reagan was elected Governor of California 1967. In 1968 he was trying to run for President. He obviously has seen no problem in leaving the office just shortly after he was elected.

[TennesseeProfessor]

I don’t know how to put it more simply — if Palin aspires to elected office, then resigning elected office is the wrong idea.

[Piers-the-Ploughman]

you are correct in saying that in general resigning under heat is not a wise move, but in fact maybe that is not the only reason. maybe she wants to go national but AK duties are too much, esp considering the impact of travel from AK

what you overlook is how she can earn even much more political capital than she loses here

just suppose she takes on BHO once a week with a 30 min speech, carves him up a la Cheney, Rush and then she helps good candidates in IA, NH, SC, etc. She can do this

obviously i don’t know what she’ll do but if she gave clues in her speech I think it is going to be full speed ahead July 26, David against Goliath. she made specific references to national problems in a friendly but confrontational way—she is not going away. her invocation of the soldiers who don’t quit and stand up for what they believe in to the point of getting maimed—i am thinking she’s thinking “i’ve got to stand up for these brave men—they have suffered far more than me”

we shall see what we shall see

[free me]

you no doubt have won or consulted on many winning campaigns. please regale us with tales of your success.

We are all a flutter awaiting your wisdom

[Jack Hammer]

What I’ve learned, distilled into two sentences:

1. Politics is a corrupt, venal sewer.

2. The MSM are @ssholes.

Simple.

[SolidWood]

Per her speech: The poltical climate has changed for the worse, and fighting outside of her office for American and Conservative values will be more effective. The doors she’s opened by her decision far outweigh the one she closed.

[Piers-the-Ploughman]

so many nattering nabobs of negativism

SP could exactly follow the Country Clubs advice and get her head handed on a platter, or she can make her own decisions and live with consequences.

I too think that if this is her plan for national politics, it has a good rather better a chance as working as being chained to AK for 2-6 more years and coming up for air every now and then

There are no guarantees in politics (but BHO and ACORN are working hard on that one)

[backhoe]

My take, from -our Canadian Sister Site?--

Bear a few things in mind... Sarah is the only, sole reason a former Democrat, union member-- wife Miss Emily- got energized over the last election.

For 25 years- indifference...

Sarah makes her speech- the first time, not the formal announcement-- and halfway through it, the formerly indifferent wife literally stands up and shouts,

"I want to vote for that woman!"

I would suggest to you- based on the vast crowds she drew, everywhere she went- that Sarah is the future... and every other Republican mentioned?

They are the past.

Like BobDole! ( not a typo ) and Cap'N Queeg...

Tired, old retreads.

Whatever Sarah ends up doing?

She'll have two supporters...

Deep in the Heart of Dixie...

Click the picture:

[liberty or death]

I would say you are looking at politics as it had existed up to 2008. Obama is now a place of worship within the current media. Prior to O, Bush was a man to be sacrificed.

It’s a brand new game with a field that shifts like a Matrix movie. We’ll have to wait and see if Sarah even wants to stay on the Grid.

[free me]

well put

[Berlin_Freeper]

“If she does, her resignation today without completing her term, or more of it, will be one strike.”

Compare Sarah Palin to Hillary Clinton.

Clinton repeatedly assured the votes of NY that she would not leave for another office if she got elected and then she wasted not a single moment in doing exactly that.

Meanwhile Palin is honest and acted in good faith.

That is not a strike.

[Lexinom]

These are the reasons I love here - everything she said. She's normal! She's like one of the ladies at the BBQ my family will attend tomorrow, not a wormy, squirmy, swishy, squishy denizen of DC. She's a mom with the rare and unusual gift of having the capabilities to run a state... or a nation...

Imagine: a normal person - someone like us, or our wife, our daughter, our sister, in charge! A very special woman in a unique way.

And free now, and on the prowl. Most wars are won with strong sweaty men with heavy equipment. This one may be won by one beautiful and charming woman, winning it not with the sword but with something far mightier: her wits.

Yeah, now that the pit bull with lipstick has broken off her chain, the political neighborhood had BETTER be worried.

[Berlin_Freeper]

Palin’s political blueprint had already been altered when she accepted the invite to be on the McCain ticket. If they had won she would already be out of Alaska. So you are holding Palin to a standard that for her makes no sense.