Posted on 07/06/2009 6:09:21 AM PDT by pissant
Forget about Sarah Palin as the Republican presidential candidate in 2012 and probably ever. She may have no interest in seeking the GOP nomination. But if she does, her chances of winning the nomination have been minimized by her decision to resign as governor of Alaska. She's knocked out one of three legs of the presidential stool and a second one is wobbly.
I say this reluctantly because Palin, in my view, is the most exciting Republican figure to emerge in decades. She mesmerizes crowds in a way that no other Republican leader can come close to matching. She has what can't be taught--real charisma.
But personal magnetism is only one of the legs, or underpinnings, for a successful race for the Republican nomination. The other two are experience in office and enough knowledge of foreign and domestic issues to talk about them persuasively. By stepping down, she's cut her experience short: it now consists of a meager two and a half years as governor of a thinly populated state. And, from all appearances, Palin has made little headway on the issue track.
Even a super-abundance of charisma cannot make up for her shortcomings in experience and knowledge. It might be enough if she were running for a lesser office. The election of Arnold Schwarzenegger as governor of California proves that point. But running for president on charisma alone? I don't think so.
(Excerpt) Read more at weeklystandard.com ...
Fred is a RINO.....More gov’t conservative is what he calls himself
No point in reading past here...
Fred is just jealous that Sarah has more fashionable glasses than he. :)
The lack of experience in office didn’t stop obama. but then he’s a demhole and there’s a different standard for them
Fred gets wood everytime he talks about Obambi. Enough said.
I think Einstein said it best:
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
However, this line kind of negates all that: "But running for president on charisma alone?"
One word: "Obama."
Surely you aren’t citing Bob Dole as a model for how to win?
They were shoveling dirt on Nixon in 1962 as well.
Fred never like her. This entire snotty piece is a joke.
Fred's a RINO.
Fred “The Beatle” Barnes is living in the past. In today’s political climate, one can become President with absolutely NO experience in running anything but a campaign. BO is Exhibit A for the success of this strategy.
These old GOPers are seriously out of touch with the new politics of personality. And unfortunately for the GOP, with the exception of Sarah Palin, none of their prospects for ‘12 has a personality.
Democrats would never sit back and laugh while one of theirs was being pitilessly attacked.
“But running for president on charisma alone? I don’t think so.”
Which explains why McCain won so easily.
Great analysis Fred. You make an argument on theory that completely ignores recent facts. I stopped reading right there.
Notice Barnes doesn’t mention “principles” as one of those legs. That’s why he and his ilk don’t understand the base.
Let’s see, did Obama have any experience? Nope. Did Obama have any knowledge about any issues other than being a community organizer? Nope.
Hey, a guy with none of the above just got himself elected President!
Palin for high office? Maybe in the future but not now, she cannot cut it, says Party stalwart.
One thing that I have to admit is that the Party critics of Palin adhere to the tradition of mainstream Republicans.
The quote is from The Conservative Revolution: The Movement That Remade America, by Lee Edwards and has been modified to illustrate my point.
"In the words of Nelson Rockefeller's public relations head, Stuart Spencer, "We had have to destroy Barry Goldwater Sarah Palin as a member of the human race."
Yes. But Dole is not a Conservative and a man. These are big prerequisites to the country club types that have taken control of the party.
Anyone who has followed this fool tool for as long as I have, should not be surprised by his rino’s diatribe. He is another Spectre, without the balls to admit his true allegiance...
“Bob Dole resigned the position of the Senate Leader and the position of Senator and got the nomination. These guys need to do some research before they write their fabrications. “
You are comparing apples and potatoes. He didn’t resign three and a half years before the election. He resigned during the campaign.
hmm, obama ran on charisma alone, and now seems to be trying to run the world by charisma alone.
I’ll take charisma, if a truly good, dedicated person with unwavering principles is behind it.
Take Albert’s advice. Instead of worrying and commenting daily about what I think of Palin or anyone else, post your own threads.
Oh well, it’s Monday morning & the RINOs have gotten their talking points meme to be repeated endlessly all day.
“Too bad, I really liked Palin, but she’s ruined her chances by being a quitter...”
These people don’t have an original thought in their heads. They are also scared $hitless of Sarah Palin.
Bob Dole resigned the position of the Senate Leader and the position of Senator and got the nomination. These guys need to do some research before they write their fabrications.”
Actually, you better do your own research. Dole resigned from the Senate AFTER the primaries were over, quitting the Senate in mid June. The last primary in 1996 was in early June, and Dole already had more than enough delegates to be formally nominated at the Convention. His resignation from the Senate was a general election tactic.
Sorry, Fred. She still has more talent, charism, and EXPERIENCE than the Obamaloon. Far more. Hopefully, she can preside over the imprisonment of the Loon (soon, soon).
Fred and his mates should come up for air once and a while. Perhaps he, Stephen Hayes, Byron York, Krauthammer should do a trip around the country and see what real people think.
Has Fred delineated the idiotic remarks by Biden?
Does he mind that our president thinks there are 57 states.
The list of ignorant comments by our pres and his veep could take pages.
Yet, Fred mocks Sarah?
Another day; another case of liberal projection.
They are realizing, deep down, that THEIR guy won on charisma alone, so that's what they NEED to accuse conservatives of.
It's an addiction. It's predictable and pathetic of them.
Actually, Fred is the guy who pointed me to Sarah. In 2006 he wrote an editorial pointing out Sarah's victory as a bright spot for the GOP in an otherwise dismal election. He was pushing for Palin as VP. I think people who opine that not running for reelection forget recent history:
* George Allen running for US Senate reelection in 2006 was a disaster. The RATS targeted him not because they wanted his seat, but to destroy him as a Presidential Candidate. They got both after "Macaca" got him on video and the Washington Compost made it a front page story for 16 days.
As it is Fred is worse than a waste of time.
Fred Barnes has never been a Palin fan, so I take his opinion with a big grain of salt.
Not true.. see post 35
That is an excellent point.
Barack Obama resigned as Senator as well as Hilliary. So what’s new?
Good point. But a better and more precise example would have been Barack Obama.
I say this reluctantly...Fred is a AHOLE
Rumors of her political death have been greatly exaggerated. Sounds like a new tag line.
Fred, get a life. Here you are, playing the old game.
Fred is annoying to listen to on TV. He can’t get a sentence out of his mouth in a comprehensible fashion. I’m amazed that he is on TV at all.
“Winners never quit and quitters never win.” - Vincent Thomas “Vince” Lombardi
Fred, go back to the beltway, where you belong.
Go along to get along Republicans, and voting for the lesser of two evils brought us to zero. So the worst case scenario has already happened, and I have no need to vote for a moderate again because he/she can win. If there is no conservative on the ballot next time, I will not send money, and I will not vote. If anyone says you have to be practical; Why, as the left nationalizes the banks, the car industry, health care, etc.
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