Posted on 07/06/2009 12:15:12 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Sarah Palin's decision to resign as governor of Alaska was greeted with doubts, criticism and downright derision -- not just from Democrats or the media or bloggers, but from Republicans.
Critical responses to her decision came from many Republican insiders -- not just people who have an axe to grind such as Mike Huckabee and Lisa Murkowski, but others such as Karl Rove.
That followed criticism of Palin just before her announcement from Charles Krauthammer and Jonah Goldberg. When talking off the record, Republican insiders are even harsher toward Palin, as Marc Ambinder notes:
With a few exceptions, almost every Republican I talk to in Washington quakes at the thought of her being their presidential nominee in 2012 (although a few wonder slyly if she'll go away if she's offered up as a sacrifice that year.)
If Palin does want to run for president, having so many top members of her own party doubt her, dislike her and pretty much hope for her disappearance from the political scene is probably a bad thing. But, there's at least a slight chance that, if she's smart, she could use it to her advantage.
Palin has a message with fairly limited appeal at this point. Maybe it's just because I'm a blogger and member of the media, but her lines about bloggers and members of the media are pretty tired. Her complaints might (or might not) win her sympathy, but sympathy is a not a rationale for someone to be president of the United States. Her policy views are predictably conservative.
Here's a fresher message: I'm running against the complacent, corrupt forces within the Republican Party -- the people who take social conservatives for granted and who, when they happen to get a majority, spend like Democrats.
A lot of Americans don't like the Republican Party. In fact, a lot of Republicans are frustrated with the Republican Party too. Could Palin win by running against her own party?
There's a precedent for this sort of message. Palin used a variant of it to win the 2006 Republican primary for governor in Alaska against Frank Murkowski.
There's also a precedent for this message in presidential politics. Howard Dean was nearly the Democratic Party's presidential nominee with a message that centered on criticizing the Democratic Party. Dean earned some of his biggest applause when he criticized his own party's support for the Iraq War and claimed to represent "the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party."
Still, I have two big questions with this strategy for Palin. One is whether this message will be right for 2012. Ahead of 2004, Dean shared a real policy grievance with the rank-and-file members of his party, as Democrats objected to their party's representatives in Congress backing the war. With Republicans generally staying united in opposition to Obama, Palin may not have the opening that Dean did.
The other question is whether Palin is the right messenger. Dean, it's worth remembering, was a well-respected governor of his own small state for 12 years. Nonetheless, his bid ultimately collapsed amid questions about whether he had the discipline, temperament and depth of experience to be president. No one would be especially surprised if a Palin presidential bid failed for the exact same reasons.
Yah. People in the MSM don’t like being made fun of. However, the notion that the AssClown GOP needs to be purged and a return to Reaganism is in the cards is pretty spot-on.
That is pretty much what Sarah should do. Win the battle IN the party, then vanquish the D’s.
Best,
Chris
Republican party... defined as RINOS... best get on board. The “base” they need is fed up with their Democrat-lite style and are gunning for them. Palin just happens to recognize that poignant fact and is in the lead.
Palin is not a freakazoid like Howard Dean.
HAH! Is there a Republican party anymore? Or are there a bunch of corrupt ninnies who call themselves Republicans while trashing the best thing that’s happened to the Republican party in 44 years? (Ronald Reagan in 1964) Go Sarah!
YARRRRGH
Yes - the rank and file are up in arms and the RINOs are more worried about their perks and power than leading. Sarah really knows the difference between leading and managing and she has given up the managerial role as a Governor to a Leadership role for the Conservative movement.
The Republican party is split...on one side ya have the DC elites and the other side is made up of normal folks out in the real world.
In a word, no.
The reality of modern politics is that you need a big party organisation behind you in order to get elected, at least to major office (although the internet is militating against that).
Win what by running against the Republican party?
McCain has made a career out of running against the Republican party.
How did that work out for them the first time around?
Republican Party?
What Republican Party?
There is a Republican Party?
Where?
Just Show me where!
BS. There ain’t no such thing!
“Republican Party?
What Republican Party?
There is a Republican Party?
Where?
Just Show me where!
BS. There ain’t no such thing!”
Ok, vote for one of the other third parties and see how far you get. Geez. Use your head. Fix the Pub Party; we’ve already made great inroads. Or dump it and get nowhere.
That is the reason Sarah resigned so she could build her own organization and have plenty time to do so. Reagan did it when he was in the wilderness (without a job) between 1976 and 1980 and so can Sarah.
Maybe she will join up with Newt and his efforts. He, at least; speaks highly of her.
Build her own organisation? Outside of the GOP or within it?
Reagan did it when he was in the wilderness (without a job) between 1976 and 1980 and so can Sarah.”
Actually, after his almost successful insurgent campaign in 76, Reagan was embraced by much of the mainstream GOP and really didn’t have too much difficulty in winning the nomination in 80. What few Ford/Rockefeller holdouts there were tried to unite behind Bush, but it didn’t get far enough. Reagan won the nomination handily in 80 because he expanded his 76 base just enough and brought in enough established GOP leaders to win. And the rest is history.
Reagan did it. It took him a few times but he broke through.
Inroads??? I haven't seen any...
Dump it and get nowhere??? You guys gave us McCain and Romney...Did we get somewhere???
Any candidate that wins the approval of the GOP will lose in 2012...
People of both parties are so fed up with the Obamas and McCains that anyone outside the parties will have a chance...Provided, that person can get the media coverage...And the internet may just provide that coverage...
People of both parties are so fed up with the Obamas and McCains that anyone outside the parties will have a chance...Provided, that person can get the media coverage...And the internet may just provide that coverage...
I’m pretty average, and that my friend is the only way I’ll ever show up to vote ever again.
If there's a single reason why I hate Washington, this is it.
Every part of the America's electoral politics is now completely consumed by this disgusting marketing mentality of "messaging" and "strategy" and "the base."
There is no difference to these people in selling soap, cereal, or political candidates and their "messages."
And they desperately want Palin to join their milieu and to "adjust her message."
Disgusting.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.