Posted on 07/02/2009 9:30:03 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Sounds far-fetched and, to some, totally implausible. But the Republicans are losing potential candidates at a pace that is downright alarming if you believe in a healthy two-party system. The demise of John Ensign’s political career a few weeks ago and the surreal downfall of Mark Sanford last week is enough to send chills through the even the most optimistic Republican strategist. We know that of the 2008 crop, only Mitt Romney seems likely to stay on as a contender. The old stalwarts like Newt Gingrich may get a lot of press, but it is unlikely they can mount a real challenge to Obama in 2012. Yet, the presidential election of 2012 will be more than a simple coronation of Barack Obama if the economy stalls and there is no progress in two important areas: national security and healthcare.
Ballooning deficits and a sluggish economy could alter the mood of America by the time the 2010 mid-terms come up, giving hope to the GOP for the next presidential primary season. This is why Sarah Palin is maintaining a persistent media presence, whether it is debating David Letterman or being the biggest Republican draw on the lecture circuit. She clearly has her eyes set on the presidency.
The latest edition of Vanity Fair brings this possibility forward, though not in a favourable light. Journalist Todd Purdhom paints a picture of a woman with a narcissistic personality, who’s short on knowledge, disinterested in policy discussion, and not ready for primetime. In the end, the story says more about John McCain’s competence and character than it does about Palin, simply because he flubbed his most important decision as a presidential candidate. That said, Palin brought much needed energy to an otherwise lackluster campaign and, to this day, she energizes the base as no other candidate can. Could it be possible she may someday be a candidate for the presidency?
My experience tells me that no one should be written off in a hypothetical context. Barack Obama is proof positive of this. I still maintain that, without Bush, there is no Obama nomination. Palin is a street smart politician who has benefited from being underestimated most of her career. McCain’s disastrous choice may have been fatal to his electoral chances, but it brought Palin to the forefront of national attention. Since then, she has become a celebrity that transcends her party. However, if she is to be taken seriously and considered a viable contender, she needs to change the negative perceptions of her and develop a political profile that appeals to those outside her narrow base.
To do this, she must gradually reduce her exposure and begin to educate herself on the issues. She will not be ready for 2012 by remaining governor of Alaska and playing the celebrity. The GOP has too proud a tradition to have a re-run of the 2008 vice-presidential candidate. Also, the base Palin relies on for support no longer holds the sway it once did. Social conservatism is losing steam as a political movement thanks to the dubious habits of people like Gingrich, Ensign and Sanford, and the election of an African-American president as well as the increased attention paid to gay rights issues shows that Americans have begun to cast their old divisions aside. The future for the GOP lies with fiscal conservatism and strong national security policy—not with turning back the clock. Palin must embrace the values that created the Republican party in the first place—a belief in the individual, a belief in a limited role for the state, and a commitment to equality. The party of Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Eisenhower, and (the pragmatic version of) Reagan is the path to a Republican resurgence. Palin is nowhere on that radar. She is all about celebrity status and controversy.
In the lead-up to July 4, Americans usually reflect on their great democracy. Overall, it is healthy and has shown resilience through the decades. But the Republicans have to become a viable alternative for this democracy to remain vibrant. So is Palin a real possibility for 2012 or 2016? Will she someday be a formal candidate for the presidency? Most definitely. But can she ever win? Based on what we have observed so far, I would say definitely not, though politics has been known to produce some strange developments.
Your constant lies about me show everyone here that you are incapable of a logical and decent debate. I am done with you. You are a waste of my time.
You make no sense, as usual. Another one to ignore.
Palin is no Reagan, and you now this how?Wow. You win the prestigious Sarah Palin Non-Sequitur Award for the evening.
I have met and talked with Reagan. Saw him several time in person.
I know a large family in Alska who are conservatives, they have a small business and other family members are teachers and attys. and support her
You are a joke especially since you are a Michael Savage
fan. The moron who supports and gives money to a left wing Jerry Brown, The CA AG who is running again for Gov.
A politician’s job is to vote for what he considers to be in the best interests of his state’s and nation’s security. If he in good conscience voted for the 1st stimulus bill because he thought it would help stabilize matters then that is what is most important to me, not that later the stimulus didn’t work exactly as it was originally planned. That was out of his hands. The situation was bigger than any one man.
Thune did vote against Obama’s Porkulus; that is more important to me.
If you don’t mind, I’m trying to have an intelligent discussion.
I like Michael because he makes me laugh, not because I agree with everything he says. I don’t agree with everything anyone says ... especially you. :)
Now go away, little boy, you’re wasting my time.
You notice the word “trying”
I think time ran out long ago
If Thune doesn’t meet the bar for presidential material, then Sarah Palin certainly doesn’t.
Of course I didn’t think Barack Hussein 0bama, Jr. did either, and look at how that worked out...
Counterpunch, maybe the two of us should talk to each other after putting the children to bed. How does that sound? You could tell me what program you used to make that great Obama-Chavez image? :)
What makes no sense is for someone to use Thune’s name to start a war with the most popular conservative on FR.
By being such a nasty creature with everyone and with Palin you are going to inspire people to go after the guy that you are trying to promote and since Thune is not a likely candidate for 2012 except as a possible veep, I really don’t know why you would want to make sure everyone connects him to their anger with you.
boy? Do you think all people who post on FR are males
Her responses never looked that way to me. In fact, I felt that she was chomping at the bit to really have a go at Biden, but couldn't because of the rigid, formal setting.
Sarah clearly had long, well thought out lines of logic and reasoning that she wanted to pursue in that debate, but the format kept shutting her down, just as she was warming up.
I sensed that Biden was actually relieved by the protections that format afforded him. The limitations actually protected him from himself, and Sarah. It was plain in his eyes that he knew Sarah would tear him apart, if she were freed from the constraints of the debate format.
...he came off as more seasoned and professional than Sarah
Again, I disagree. Biden looked like a man in a suit with a practiced affectation of importance. Biden's been practicing his act in the Senate for years and years. He's a complete act, from start to finish. Have you not heard the ridiculous things that come unbidden from his mouth? He's a buffoon. "Seasoned and professional"??? Joe Biden???
A lot of what we saw was stage presence and the bias of the cameras. But, the key to the debate is in what we heard, and Sarah most definitely dismantled Biden.
I don't know who I would choose if him and Gov. Palin ran in 2012. They both IMHO would make great Presidents. If this problem presents itself, It still would be a great relief to have to choose between two people I like and Admire then to hold my nose and choose between the lesser of two RINO’s like we usually do.
All I am saying about Thune is, per your standard, he falls short. As will any Conservative running for office. Reagan signed off on higher taxes, amnesty, and at the time record deficits. Goldwater, “Mr. Conservative” was seen as a libertarian at best and liberal at worst from about the seventies on, and Newt Gingrich, the “Conservative Fire Brand” now parades around with Pelosi to fight Global Warming. No one is perfect. And even the best Conservatives have had to compromise a time or two for various reasons. The reality is, politics often trumps principles. This would be true for a President Thune as well.
We must never “let the perfect be the enemy of the Good”.
Yawn. I only brought his name up because someone asked me who I liked. Simple as that. I think Thune could whip Obama’s bisinaki. I’m not convinced Palin could, though I’m open to her trying to change my mind.
I have delt with your type on some cases that were a laugh.
It was a break from the homicide and child abuse cases I worked on in the legal field.
Ok, that’s fair. At least you debate me without useless petty insults, unlike other people here.
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