Posted on 12/11/2009 2:44:13 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Democrats in general and liberals in particular make a terrible mistake in underestimating Sarah Palin. In a sense, I have a proprietary interest in her, because of my August 3, 2008 memo to Obama strategists warning that the Republicans might well choose a woman for Vice-President if we chose a man (my first choice for Veep on the Obama ticket, my admiration and respect for Joe Biden not withstanding, was Governor Kathleen Gilligan Sebelius of Kansas, originally suggested by one of the few brilliant bankers I know, Matthew Hickey, an Ohio native. Kathleen Sebelius’s father, Jack Gilligan was Governor of Ohio in the 1970s).
The Republicans had the luxury of choosing their vice-presidential candidate after we chose ours and I knew of Governor Palin only because I had travelled to Alaska the summer of of 2007. She was the most conservative of the Republican women who might be possibilities and the fact that she was a Governor (not a Senator) added another useful attribute, which is why she was listed first among the possibilities in my memo.
There is no doubt that the surprise choice of Governor Palin gave McCain a huge short term advantage. Ultimately, she may have done more than any other person in ‘herding’ Democratic women back to the Democratic fold, though Hillary did more than should have reasonably been expected from her, and her conduct as Secretary of State has been an unbelievable model, both for her hard work, and her obviously careful attempt not to steal any of the limelight from President Obama; but despite that Sarah Palin, she did prove herself a huge crowd getter for the Republicans all the way to the end.
Sarah Palin is something that none of the other political contenders in the GOP are: a certified celebrity. Only Messrs. Limbaugh, Hannity and Beck, the three most successful college dropouts in America after Bill Gates can vie with her for the public’s attention. Pawlenty and Romney, even Giuliani, Gingrich and Huckabee have nowhere near her star power.
The fact that she is no longer Governor of Alaska is not hurting her one whit. In fact, I made the argument before she resigned that that is what she needed to do. First of all, as Governor she was a sitting target. More importantly she had dozens, even hundreds of invitations to speak around the country, both party speeches on the rubber chicken and tea bag circuit, as well as the very remunerative speeches to national conventions and association meetings. Obviously she couldn’t command the $150,000 that former President Bill Clinton gets, but I’m sure she is getting at least $25,000 or $50,000 to speak to the warehouse owners association or groups like that. All she needs is half a dozen of engagements like that and she’s made more than her salary as Governor, without any of the aggravation either associated with contentious issues, or the criticism for leaving the state. Furthermore as Governor she couldn’t accept fees for speaking engagements, and whether she was travelling for political or monetary reasons (or more likely both), she would have to take at least a full day off for any single engagement. If she went East for example, she would lose three hours in time changes going, and if returning on a red eye, would arrive the next morning semi exhausted.
She has her book, ‘Going Rogue’ as an excuse for travelling. She is welcome on every late night and early morning talk show. She is a an ardent conservative, but has demonstrated an infectious civility that transcends partisanship as revealed on the Oprah show. She is the number one choice for Republican and conservative organizations across the country.
She’ll do great at state and county fairs. I envision her doing a ‘dressing a deer’ demonstration, or brining turkeys with John Kass. (Dressing deer will demonstrate that her repertoire includes more than caribou, elk and moose. Like our President she is a person people are happy to meet even if they violently disagree with her. So don’t be surprised when she starts traveling. Whether she’s folding parachutes or bandages with the troops, or having lunch with presidents, prime ministers and leaders of the opposition she will make sure she is really educated on international issues while getting reams of publicity in the process. And this will giver another book: “I have seen Russia (and seventeen other countries too!)”
What really convinced me this gal had a chance wasn’t her clever rollout on Oprah’s show to start her book tour, but the fact that Tom Roeser, Chairman of this online publication and a very intelligent conservative with whom I disagree 87.3% of the time wrote last week that he could support her candidacy. I think Roeser’s judgment of Obama is incorrect, but he would never support anyone for President who he didn’t believe had the basic ‘necessities.’ I would never vote for Sarah Palin, but I wouldn’t bet against her either, though it galls me to admit it.
While I believe that President Obama will win re-election in 2012 he can only count on 241 of the 270 electoral votes he needs to win. It will be tough for Sarah ‘Annie Oakley’ Palin to get to the magic 270, but she could. Its not impossible. And 2012 is the only time she’ll have a chance. Its not smart to write her off. Remember we elected George W. Bush – twice.
But I do agree with this, "The fact that she is no longer Governor of Alaska is not hurting her one whit. In fact, I made the argument before she resigned that that is what she needed to do. First of all, as Governor she was a sitting target..."
I'd be curious to see the article in which he suggested that a resignation weuld be a smart move on Governor Palin's part.
He is finished. Not sure if he will make it to the 2010 elections, could be gone before then. The question is will Plugs Biden resign for health reasons before then? It was never part of the deal for him to be president. I can’t believe that he will be allowed to serve, he would truly destroy the remnants of the dim party.
"...is a person people are happy to meet..."
If we have anymore free and fair elections, the only people I’ll be counting out are Democrats, the Congress in 2010 and Obamao in 2012. They are all lying losers who deserve to lose everything.
Is there anything worth reading after that?
Oops. Spelled Sebelius like the composer and not the baby killing traitor.
But but but aren’t told she is a joke, will never be nominee blah blah blab
I believe you cn add Ohio to that list of won’t win too. Unemployment here is to the point that people are moving and we are quicly becoming just like Michigan.
She is getting 100,000 to 125,000 per speech
She has 1000 speaking requests. If she does everyone of those she will make $10 million just in speechs. Add the reported 47 million she has made off of her book and that pays for alot of staff.
oops should be $7million not 47 million
How much credibilty does this guy have if he respects and admires Joe Biden?
When I cast my vote for Sarah in 2012, it will be the first time I ever voted in a Presidential election with glowing pride.
Anybody who thinks being the daughter of John Gilligan would help in Ohio has no credibility. Even though he was governor before I was born, I’m pretty sure he was a one-termer. My parents tell me he was almost as bad as Celeste. Why does Ohio always seem to have terrible governors?
Because they didn't have the sense to elect Ken Blackwell?
He would have been the first good one in my lifetime.
btt
It’s sad that the best governor in my life is George Voinovich and he wasn’t any good.
Well, it’s not saying a whole lot, but at least he was a better Governor than he is a Senator. Oy.
Dang I hadn't thought of that angle. I hope there are a lot who are willing to do the same. My name may betray why I can't.
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