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Palin lacks what GOP needs most

Governor still thrills conservatives but is not likely to take back the White House

Wednesday, July 08, 2009

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By Doyle McManus

Is Sarah Palin the answer the Republican Party is looking for?

Not likely. Palin’s abrupt announcement that she’s quitting as governor of Alaska may be part of a long-term strategy that leads to the Oval Office. But at the moment, it looks more like the impulsive act of a politician who can’t abide criticism.

Take Palin at her word: She quit because she didn’t think she could get much done for Alaska in her remaining 18 months in office, beset as she was with ethics charges that never seemed to go away. Palin’s popularity in Alaska has sunk from 93 percent in 2007 to 54 percent in May, still a respectable rating but a huge drop. She had few prospects of closing out her term on a wave of landmark achievements that would boost her as a national candidate. She faced a tough fight for re-election in 2010.

Palin says she still wants to have national impact. Her main asset, of course, is a base of fervent support among social conservatives who see her as fresh, exciting and embattled — the people who responded to her resignation by sending contributions to her fundraising committee, SarahPAC.

The problem for Palin and her party is that she

doesn’t have what Republicans need most: an idea. For the last half-century, the GOP has prided itself on being the “party of ideas,” a coalition that constantly invented new ways to apply its basic principles — smaller government, lower taxes and an assertive foreign policy — to the nation’s problems.

Under George W. Bush, the string of successful ideas ran out. In 2008, it was the Democrats of Barack Obama, not the GOP, who won by proposing a detailed agenda of new policies and new initiatives.

A voter interested in Palin’s approach to national issues will look in vain for new ideas. In her 2008 vice presidential campaign and since, she has been a champion not so much of ideas as of attitudes: anger at the national media, fear of a “big-government takeover,” and the charge that unnamed liberals “deride” American ideals. Those aren’t ideas; they’re slogans. Palin may have the recipe for winning the hearts of the 37 percent of Americans who describe themselves as conservatives, but it won’t attract votes from the 38 percent who call themselves moderates — and who remain the key to any presidential election.

Social and cultural conservatives may thrill to her tones. Political reporters may (indeed, do) yearn to see her run.

But for a party working to regain its footing as the champion of conservative ideas in a nation whose electorate will soon be ready to listen, this sled dog won’t pull.

(McManus is a columnist for the Los Angeles Times, where this essay first appeared.)

57 comment(s)

kevin wrote on Jul 8, 2009 5:05 AM:

" I wouldn't want to bet against Sarah being successful at anything she tries.

I think she will do quite well in Iowa in 2012, regardless of her current antics.

As a Party, we don't need new ideas, we just have to follow the plan we know that works; the plan laid down by President Ronald Reagan: smaller government, lower taxes and stronger national defense.

It's not that complicated.

It has a proven track record.

Besides, the way B.O. is currently driving the economy into the ground, voters will eager to vote for "change" in 2012... "

Bauhausfan wrote on Jul 8, 2009 7:59 AM:

" I am looking forward to her running for President in the GOP primary against Romney and if I there were any chance of it Newt Gingrich, Jeb Bush, Mike Huckabee and Bobby Jindal. Nothing would be more entertaining than that.

Despite what delusional (sorry, but there is no other word for it) and completely non-reality based extreme conservatives think, I look forward to Palin running for President, as do the rest of the country who aren't right wing. "

manxkat wrote on Jul 8, 2009 8:24 AM:

" Sarah Palin strikes fear in the hearts of Democrats because she is electable. "

glenroy wrote on Jul 8, 2009 8:49 AM:

" Indeed....now with extra motivation…. May she bring the full scorn of an enraged mother upon Pelosi/Reid/Obama….the 3 stooges of American History. "

freeport56 wrote on Jul 8, 2009 9:11 AM:

" Obvously Mc Manus does not have a single clue of what the GOP wants.

Sarah Palin is the perfect person to lead a GOP Revolution. She is not an New England Elitest, she is a plain speaker, she is everything NOW ever wanted a woman to be (except a Liberal), she can do the work of any man, is totally dedicated to her family, and has the courage to know how to serve the people of Alaska in the best way.

She has beaten all the unfounded Ethics charges that have brought against her, and she is setting the stage for the national spotlight.

One more thing, for all the above rerasons the Democrats fear her the most. They will deny it of course. But she has both private and public sector experience unlike Barry. Who seems to be throwing our allies under the bus infavor of the harsh dictators. A black Jimmy Carter? "

sicksense wrote on Jul 8, 2009 9:12 AM:

" Bauhausfan, what did Obama have that got him elected? I suggest it was charisma and non-white skin color. His rudderless mantra for change helped as well.

He has and is continuing to devastate our economy. He is the laughingstock of the international community. His appointments are destroying any credence our government had.

Sarah Palin is just as charismatic as Obama. I don't know if she'll run for president but I believe after Obama is finished with his destruction of our nation, she'll be as electable as anyone. People with any kind of sense will be crying for some more change to undo all of what the current administration has done.

To not admit that Obama is taking this country into ruin for the sake of protecting a political party is just horrifying to me. Stop protecting any party and wake up. We, the people need to make the changes. It's obvious to me that few if any polticians are capable of doing so. "

alucawanza wrote on Jul 8, 2009 9:19 AM:

" Palin doesn't scare Democrats. Quite the opposite. Remembering the debate with Joe Biden just makes me smile at the thought of another debate with answers that don't address the questions. What fun it will be! You betcha! "

Bauhausfan wrote on Jul 8, 2009 9:22 AM:

" "Sarah Palin strikes fear in the hearts of Democrats because she is electable."

Really?

Do you know what the word delusional means?

1. an act or instance of deluding.
2. the state of being deluded.
3. a false belief or opinion: delusions of grandeur.
4. Psychiatry. a fixed false belief that is resistant to reason or confrontation with actual fact: a paranoid delusion.

I fervently hope that she runs for President as do friends of mine.

So how do explain this?

You probably have a different idea of what 2001-2008 was like in this country with the Bush administration in charge, to what I and the vast majority of the population do.

If Palin became President she would make the Bush regime seem like a walk in the park. "

Ruff Limblog wrote on Jul 8, 2009 9:34 AM:

" manxkat- As a hypothetical, if Sarah was elected and didn't get her way with Congress, do you think she'd serve out a full term, or quit again?

You must have missed all the times I've already put up the Republican ticket comedians support:

Palin/Bachmann 2012 !!!

I do fervently hope that is the 2012 Republican ticket!

I have to admit that George W. Bush's incoherent ramblings may just have been bested by Sarah Palin, you betcha!

And Michelle Bachmann would be like Dan Quayle as VP, you wouldn't want Palin to quit because then the Big Liebowski would take over.

~Ruff "

livinggood wrote on Jul 8, 2009 9:48 AM:

" sarah palin is an idiot.. the only thing democrats see her as is a women that we can laugh at... i think she has proven herself as not the sharpest tool by the comments she made when she was john mccains running mate... if you think she would make a good president, then you need to reconsider your thoughts people... we might as well vote in "Bubbles".. We do not need anyone to embarrass the USA, we just got rid of geo bush, our biggest embarassment... "

JustAnotherManicMonday wrote on Jul 8, 2009 10:04 AM:

" I think she needed a break from all the drama. She is still approachable as "the girl next door", so if there's an opening, she'll run for it for presidency. If not, she can go fishing- it's not the end of the world for her, which is refreshing. "

telebender wrote on Jul 8, 2009 10:13 AM:

" Non-Republicans are eager for Sarah to run...even if she wins, she'll quit anyway! "

Sickothis wrote on Jul 8, 2009 10:21 AM:

" Strikes fear?!?! Bwahahahahaha! "

Raven wrote on Jul 8, 2009 11:24 AM:

" please oh please let her run again.. we can start a pool to see how long before she quits.

and kevin...the GOP doesnt need a new plan....yeah keep with the one you have..it is working so well...the GOP is at its lowest ebb since its founding. "

boise1 wrote on Jul 8, 2009 11:35 AM:

" Palin should just go away. Go build a log cabin somewhere in the middle of Alaska with all of the other Republican quitters including the ones who are having affairs, and call your village, the "lost party" "

Ruff Limblog wrote on Jul 8, 2009 11:58 AM:

" George W. Bush KILLED the Republican Party.

John McCain picked Sarah Palin to give the eulogy, but she quit!

[Rimshot Sound]

Be sure to tip your waiters and waitresses! Tell your friends I'll be here all week!

~Ruff "

freeport56 wrote on Jul 8, 2009 12:39 PM:

" Your comments are mean spirited at best. As I stated, she is what NOW describes as the perfect woman. If by attacking her and deaning who she is makes you feel better, go ahead.

But, look to the horizon she is on the move witha well calculated direction in mind. Besides, you exudes more class than the comments posted in this blog.

Ruff, Palin Bachman would be good. I'd vote for them just to get rid of "Foot in Mouth Biden. Talk about a joke and a half! "

a teacher wrote on Jul 8, 2009 12:59 PM:

" Run Sarah, Run! Please run. I really can't wait for 2012. I bet you that John Stewart and David Letterman are praying she does.

Bring it on! "

Alter ego wrote on Jul 8, 2009 1:54 PM:

" livinggood said "We do not need anyone to embarrass the USA"

Sorry you missed it, but we currently have an embarrassment for a President running around the world apologizing for everything America has done for the past 200 years. "

JustMyyOpinion wrote on Jul 8, 2009 2:57 PM:

" I still don't understand how someone who is looking to move UP in their career, whatever it is, thinks stepping DOWN is the right thing to do!

Should she decide to run in the 2012 election, she will be entering the race as an Alaskan Mayor who was elected Governor but quit mid-term, and as someone with extremely limited political experience because of her decision to abandon her position as Governor!

She says she's no quitter, but I don't know what else you call what she's doing. Hopefully those that still stand by the GOP can see her for what she is and not support this joke of a candidate should she decide to run for office yet again.

She's unqualified, unexperienced and clearly unable to lead this country if she can't answer a simple question like what periodicals do you read!!! "

nosocialism wrote on Jul 8, 2009 3:12 PM:

" McMannus is mixing facts with fiction. If Gov. Palin wanted to run for reelection, she would have won. There is not a VIABLE poll that states otherwise.

Kevin has it right. The conservative premises has always worked. Republicans, have lost their way from this practice. This is why they lost.
Two VIABLE polls, just released, states that people are moving to the right. The biggest shift is from the independent voter section. Why? Very simple. Americans are starting to wake up and understand the constitution is being destroyed under Obama. In addition, people understand that all the stimulus money is not doing anything for the long haul recovery for the Nation. In fact, Europe is telling B.O. to 'stop spending'. Also, Chavez stated that he and Castro might be to the left of Obama!

Obama is THE embarasmet of the Nation's history. Gov. Palin, if nothing else, is being true and was truly born in the USA..not Kenya!

If Palin was not a threat to the Democrats, then there would not be a point in all the attacks. "

manxkat wrote on Jul 8, 2009 3:19 PM:

" So if she's not electable, why all the fuss? Fear is a complex emotion. "

alucawanza wrote on Jul 8, 2009 3:45 PM:

" Winners don't quit. Quitters don't win!

Sicksense said:
"Obama won because he has "non-white skin color"??? I think voters were deeper thinkers than that.
That wasn't my reason. Why did so many Republicans vote for him? They aren't known to be fond of "non-white skin color". Sometimes I can't believe what I read in some of these posts. You just invented a whole new idiom. "

Bauhausfan wrote on Jul 8, 2009 4:21 PM:

" "So if she's not electable, why all the fuss? Fear is a complex emotion."

I agree, fear is a complex emotion, but as you can plainly see from commenters of a non-conservative persuasion on this site, they are not afraid of Palin at all, and yet conservatives keep saying they are.

Not to keep hitting the point again, but obviously it needs to be said, there is quite a bit of delusional non-reality based views on this site by the conservative regulars who populate it.

No one (of a non-conservative idealogy)is afraid of Sarah Palin running, they are afraid she WON'T run.

How hard is that to understand?

The Bush administration years are not looked on with admiration by the vast majority of people in our country, but with disdain.

How hard is that to understand?

Global Warming is one of the most studied and peer reviewed pieces of science ever and scientists are extremely alarmed about it.

The Earth is not 6,000 years old as a State Senator from Arizona claimed twice recently, but is billions of years old.

Oil companies are not now nor were they interested last year in drilling for more oil to flood the market and lower prices and profits. They are capitalist corporations whose only purpose is to make as much profit as possible. "

GOP Member wrote on Jul 8, 2009 4:40 PM:

" What the Al Cardwells of the world need to do is stop calling Sarah Palin a quitter until they are willing to call Obama one as well. Didn’t he also QUIT along with a lot of his staff? And don’t give us some hair-brained “apples and oranges” crap. The man quit his job for a higher purpose, exactly same reason Palin did! BTW have you seen the Palin-2012 bumper stickers yet? I passed out 1000 of them last weekend and just ordered another 10,000
Good Luck and see you in 2012 "

manxkat wrote on Jul 8, 2009 4:51 PM:

" To Alukawanza: You say Republicans aren't known to be fond of non-white skin color? Really? George Bush 41 put a black man on the supreme court, GWB had a black woman as secretary of state and chief of staff, Abraham Lincoln our first Republican president went to war to reestablish the union which the Democrat slavers seceded from and he made the Emancipation Proclamation and required states returning to the union to ratify the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments, all to save blacks from slavery.
The truth is that Republicans embrace people of all colors while Democrats evoke racism - Sotomayor is a good example. "

poohmama wrote on Jul 8, 2009 4:59 PM:

" So, the GOP is a lost cause, and Sarah Palin ran away. The Liberal Socialists have bigger problems:

"The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, self-appointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny." --James Madison

"The foundation of national morality must be laid in private families. ... How is it possible that Children can have any just Sense of the sacred Obligations of Morality or Religion if, from their earliest Infancy, they learn their Mothers live in habitual Infidelity to their fathers, and their fathers in as constant Infidelity to their Mothers?"
--John Adams, Diary, June 2, 1778

"To take from one, because it is thought his own industry and that of his fathers has acquired too much, in order to spare to others, who, or whose fathers, have not exercised equal industry and skill, is to violate arbitrarily the first principle of association, the guarantee to everyone the free exercise of his industry and the fruits acquired by it."
--Thomas Jefferson, letter to Joseph Milligan, 6 April 1816

"If men of wisdom and knowledge, of moderation and temperance, of patience, fortitude and perseverance, of sobriety and true republican simplicity of manners, of zeal for the honour of the Supreme Being and the welfare of the commonwealth; if men possessed of these other excellent qualities are chosen to fill the seats of government, we may expect that our affairs will rest on a solid and permanent foundation."

--Samuel Adams, letter to Elbridge Gerry, November 27, 1780

Conservatives have not forgotten their Cause. They love the Constitution as it was written, and the intent of the Founding Fathers. Sarah Palin will be back. "

antipc wrote on Jul 8, 2009 7:48 PM:

" Alu, thanks to the liberal dumbing down of America through the indoctrination camps we currently refer to as schools, I believe the apologist President now occupying the White House is a direct result of overcompensation for policies of the past. "

kevin wrote on Jul 8, 2009 8:21 PM:

" BH, IF the oil companies were not interested in drilling off the coast, then WHY are the Libs so TERRIFIED to auction off leases?

It would seem like a win-win situation. Either no one bids on them and you get proven correct OR the State gets a whole bunch of money for them and the oil companies still don't drill.

While you are correct about maximizing profits being the companies prime consideration, you ignore the fact that OWNING the oil wells produce higher profits than BUYING the oil from the Saudis and merely taking a percent of the cut... "

Ruff Limblog wrote on Jul 8, 2009 9:36 PM:

" GOP Member- Barack Obama quit the Senate AFTER he was elected president, which is what you would normally expect to happen.

Sarah Palin just quit.

If Republicans can't tell the difference, God bless 'em!

~Ruff "

Ruff Limblog wrote on Jul 8, 2009 9:40 PM:

" Funny, the poohmama would bring up Infidelity when there are currently three Republicans involved in sex scandals right now.

It's astounding that Republicans can be so blind to their own hypocrisy.

But I'm going to be happy to remind voters next year!

~Ruff "

Tar and Feathers wrote on Jul 8, 2009 10:16 PM:

" Its so obvious the danger Sarah Palin to both the Democrat and Republican Party. If she was not a threat we would not be hearing the demonization of her that oozes out of the T.V. I love what she represents. A real human being with a mission to tell the truth, in a search to find justice. Also she seems to be a human who is not tainted or bought by special interest or big money. Keep trying to put her down though. You haven't got a chance. "

andy wrote on Jul 8, 2009 10:26 PM:

" I love all the people who say she's so electable.

Did she win the last election she ran for?

No.

Enough said. "

Bauhausfan wrote on Jul 9, 2009 6:25 AM:

" Kevin - I used the oil companies as an example about conservatives and their delusional non-reality based thinking and yet you miss the point. Or proved it.

The oil companies already have access to tens of millions of acres to drill for oil whenever they wanted then as now. No need to have access to more when they aren't drilling on what they already have. "

JustMyyOpinion wrote on Jul 9, 2009 10:42 AM:

" Ruff Limblog wrote on Jul 8, 2009 9:36 PM:
" GOP Member- Barack Obama quit the Senate AFTER he was elected president, which is what you would normally expect to happen.

Don't worry about it, Ruff. It's just another GOP'er putting their spin on yet another disaster in their party trying to make it right. It's actually quite entertaining listening to them try to justify something that is clearly a destructive move. Most everyone knows that you don't move forward by taking steps backwards. Notice I said "most everyone". "

alucawanza wrote on Jul 9, 2009 11:39 AM:

" manxkat:
Watch the next Republican convention and try to find a non-white face.....Good luck. Ever heard of tokenism? That was good old George's practice. He even tried to get Colin Powell in his camp. Didn't work for long did it? Powell is no one's puppet.

antipc: Indoctrination camps? Very funny. As a teacher who struggled to teach long division and ancient history I find your remarks really funny. We didn't make them march at recess time, you know. They didn't salute me and there was no electric wiring in their desks to keep them on task. I was unable to hypnotize them....Just tried to make them critical thinkers, good citizens, and life-long learners. Sorry you have had such negative experiences. Visited a school lately??? "

Bauhausfan wrote on Jul 9, 2009 11:39 AM:

" And Kevin, please answer the question why a corporation, the sole purpose of its existence is to make as much profit as possible, would want to put more product on the market to reduce their (record) profits?

That would be against capitalism and the "free" market you and your friends claim is the best thing in the world. "

poohmama wrote on Jul 9, 2009 12:10 PM:

" Ruff---

Only Liberals believe that everything they do can be done with impunity. It was taught in schools as situational ethics.

I suggest you consider all the Republicans and Conservatives who aren't engaging in such behavior. Furthermore, vote any way you like...Conservatives outnumber Liberals/Leftitsts 3 to 1.

"Since private and publick Vices, are in Reality, though not always apparently, so nearly connected, of how much Importance, how necessary is it, that the utmost Pains be taken by the Publick, to have the Principles of Virtue early inculcated on the Minds even of children, and the moral Sense kept alive, and that the wise institutions of our Ancestors for these great Purposes be encouraged by the Government. For no people will tamely surrender their Liberties, nor can any be easily subdued, when knowledge is diffusd and Virtue is preservd. On the Contrary, when People are universally ignorant, and debauchd in their Manners, they will sink under their own weight without the Aid of foreign Invaders."
--Samuel Adams, letter to James Warren, 4 November 1775 "

Raven wrote on Jul 9, 2009 3:05 PM:

" so pooh mama...if conservatives out number liberals 3 to 1 why, why do they keep losing branches of govt left and right.....and then there is the question of where you got that ratio from?

95 percent of politics is showing up....so why do all those conservatives you say are out there staying away from the polls? "

antipc wrote on Jul 9, 2009 7:29 PM:

" Alu, do you really believe that, by in large, children coming out of the CA schools have the independant ability to reason with the same logic & common sense as 30 or 40 years ago?

Sorry but I haven't witnessed that to be the case. You may or may not be one of the teachers I've had issues with, but as a whole the teaching profession has done & is doing a great diservice to our children & thier futures. Progressive viewpoints do filter into lessons all too often, with little or no opposition.

Sarah gives renewed hope that all is not lost to total media & government control of ideology. "

glenroy wrote on Jul 9, 2009 10:53 PM:

" poohmama....outstanding.....kill em with their own idols...the sword does cut both ways. "

Bauhausfan wrote on Jul 10, 2009 6:30 AM:

" "Only Liberals believe that everything they do can be done with impunity. It was taught in schools as situational ethics.

I suggest you consider all the Republicans and Conservatives who aren't engaging in such behavior. Furthermore, vote any way you like...Conservatives outnumber Liberals/Leftitsts 3 to 1."

If we looked at the amount of people registered as Democrats or Republicans across the country as the basis for left/right, then your statement is as based in fact as me saying I was the fifth Beatle.

The Walrus was Bauhausfan! "

Bauhausfan wrote on Jul 10, 2009 8:04 AM:

" "Since private and publick Vices, are in Reality, though not always apparently, so nearly connected, of how much Importance, how necessary is it, that the utmost Pains be taken by the Publick, to have the Principles of Virtue early inculcated on the Minds even of children, and the moral Sense kept alive, and that the wise institutions of our Ancestors for these great Purposes be encouraged by the Government. For no people will tamely surrender their Liberties, nor can any be easily subdued, when knowledge is diffusd and Virtue is preservd. On the Contrary, when People are universally ignorant, and debauchd in their Manners, they will sink under their own weight without the Aid of foreign Invaders."
--Samuel Adams, letter to James Warren, 4 November 1775 "

Pooh Mama I hope you aren't a Republican and posting this as some kind of serious commentary. If so, it is laughable.

"The studies explain so much about these people. Yes, the research shows they are very aggressive, but why are they so hostile? Yes, experiments show they are almost totally uninfluenced by reasoning and evidence, but why are they so dogmatic? Yes, studies show the Religious Right has more than its fair share of hypocrites, from top to bottom; but why are they two-faced, and how come one face never notices the other? Yes, their leaders can give the flimsiest of excuses and even outright lies about things they’ve done wrong, but why do the rank-and-file believe them?"

Authoritarian followers.

Don't they sound familiar?

http://members.shaw.ca/jeanaltemeyer/drbob/chapter2.pdf "

wyngyrl wrote on Jul 10, 2009 11:11 AM:

" Thanks goodness she lost the 2008 election. It's not as easy to quit as Vice President when the work load increases and people start saying unpleasant things. "

Bauhausfan wrote on Jul 10, 2009 1:30 PM:

" Famed conservative Peggy Noonan on Palin:

"In television interviews she was out of her depth in a shallow pool. She was limited in her ability to explain and defend her positions, and sometimes in knowing them. She couldn't say what she read because she didn't read anything. She was utterly unconcerned by all this and seemed in fact rather proud of it: It was evidence of her authenticity. She experienced criticism as both partisan and cruel because she could see no truth in any of it. She wasn't thoughtful enough to know she wasn't thoughtful enough. Her presentation up to the end has been scattered, illogical, manipulative and self-referential to the point of self-reverence. "I'm not wired that way," "I'm not a quitter," "I'm standing up for our values." I'm, I'm, I'm."

Cut.

"What she is, is a seemingly very nice middle-class girl with ambition, appetite and no sense of personal limits."

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124716984620819351.html

Not too much else to say except - run for President Sarah! "

alucawanza wrote on Jul 10, 2009 5:12 PM:

" antipc
I believe that teachers are doing the best they can with the students they have and the resources they are given.
30 to 40 years ago (when I started teaching) students came to school to learn, parents partnered with teachers in their childrens' education, students were held to high expectations, and people actually respected the hard work teachers did.
How many lessons have you watched being taught that Progressive thought had infiltrated? Teachers are hand tied now with scripted lessons. Go take a look next school year. Get a first hand view. Try Channel 27. Watch those teachers working.
Teaching cell structure or ancient history. Explain progressive thought regarding mitosis. Or how to teach that the Pharoahs were socialists and that's a good system?
O.K. I'll say the same to you as I do to manxkat: Have a good day, play fair, share your toys, and don't run with scissors. "

XMAN wrote on Jul 12, 2009 7:41 AM:

" Sarah Palin has something up her sleeve. I suspect she wants to quit her governor job so she can go make speeches for pay and get rid of her legal indebtedness. Who can blame her - $500,000 in legal fees ain't hay. In 18 lawsuits what has she been indicted on? Nothing. It's pure harrassment brought on for purely partisan reasons. All the wags will achieve is to make her a sort of martyr. Done a good job of it already.
I pray she runs for the House or the Senate. She has street savvy but is not a political sophisticate. She will learn to not give interviews unprepared. She will be better prepared for future debates. Why would I want her in public office? Because she is honest. Congress does not want honesty in their midst - it messes up their game plan. The same goes for our Califronia State Legislature while I'm munching on the ethics apple. "

kevin wrote on Jul 12, 2009 1:51 PM:

" Willie Brown seems to like Palin's move:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/07/12/BA9A18MCT5.DTL

"Sarah Palin, political genius" "

shareathought wrote on Jul 12, 2009 9:34 PM:

" ""Sarah Palin, political genius" "

or... NOT "

paranoidinthetrees wrote on Jul 13, 2009 8:48 AM:

" Sarah Palin is to the GOP what the Exxon Valdez was to the Prince William Sound.

The Republicans really need to find steady, reliable, leadership, not fringies like Palin and Limbaugh. John McCain is one of the only respectable images the party has. Whether you like his politics or not, he's a fighter, articulate, and honorable.

Sarah Palin couldn't be more the opposite. "

Ruff Limblog wrote on Jul 13, 2009 9:01 AM:

" Sarah Palin, the Republican 'It Girl' (for those who like old-time Hollywood starlette references) in 2008 turned out not to have 'it' after all.

If by 'It' you mean sticking to it when the going gets tough and not giving a speech about not quitting as you quit.

Sarah Palin is going to hit the Republican Welfare cash machine.

Even a Republican 'political genius' like Sarah Palin can operate the Republican ATM to make withdrawals.

~Ruff "

freeport56 wrote on Jul 13, 2009 1:56 PM:

" en·vy (nv) KEY

NOUN:
pl. en·vies

A feeling of discontent and resentment aroused by and in conjunction with desire for the possessions or qualities of another.
The object of such feeling: Their new pool made them the envy of their neighbors.
Obsolete Malevolence.
TRANSITIVE VERB:
en·vied , en·vy·ing , en·vies
To feel envy toward.
To regard with envy.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English envie, from Old French, from Latin invidia, from invidus, envious, from invidre, to look at with envy : in-, in, on ; see en- 1 + vidre, to see; see weid- in Indo-European roots. V., from Middle English envien from Old French envier, from Latin invidre

OTHER FORMS:
envi·er (Noun), envy·ing·ly (Adverb)

SYNONYMS:
envy , begrudge , covet

These verbs mean to feel resentful or painful desire for another's advantages or possessions. Envy, the most general, combines discontent, resentment, and desire: "When I peruse the conquered fame of heroes and the victories of mighty generals, I do not envy the generals" (Walt Whitman). Begrudge stresses ill will and reluctance to acknowledge another's right or claim: Why begrudge him his success? Covet stresses a secret or culpable longing for something to which one has no right: "We hate no people and covet no people's lands" (Wendell L. Willkie).

This is why the Left hates her so much! One of the Seven Deadly Sins! "

XMAN wrote on Jul 14, 2009 1:20 AM:

" For some weird reason the "Hate Bush" Mantra seems to have transferred over to Sarah Palin in some quarters. Shall you stone her with sarcasm or burn her at the stake with outrageous mis-truths? Are these the previews of things to come? This fine woman's sincere desire to serve honorably and respectably will endure all the malevalent slings and arrows intended to smear her good name. She will survive! "

alucawanza wrote on Jul 14, 2009 12:31 PM:

" freeport56 and XMAN:
No one envies Mrs. Palin. We are contemptuous of her.
Fine woman? Matter of opinion. Her sincerity and honor remain to be proven. Yes she will survive.....as a private citizen.
Is it honorable to leave the job unfinished in Alaska? Is it honorable to quit as more lucrative offers come in? "

Poohmama wrote on Jul 15, 2009 1:15 PM:

" For some unknown reason, Liberals believe all Democrats are now liberals. There is a move in the Democrat party to dump all the Liberals and their country killing and ridiculous agendas. They are called Blue Dogs. They tend to move more toward Conservatism than Liberalism. They are making advances in promoting their candidates for office. Sarah Palin is supporting this movement. So are the Conservative Republicans. As Barry's numbers tank, realize that "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country" is still meaningful to Blue Dogs. Go ahead, vote Democrat, but realize you may not be voting for a Liberal Leftist or a Socialist agenda. "

XMAN wrote on Jul 15, 2009 3:43 PM:

" Thank you alucawanza for illustrating my point.

Poohmama - "Blue Dog" Democrats are the back bone of this nation and I will vote for them any time. Often in preference to my own extremist Republican Party Candidates.

I consider Bill Clinton to be a "Blue Dog" and voted for him two times. I would vote for him right now if he could run for office. I consider him to have been a good president. He had everyone upset with him on both sides of the aisle. He was a moderate and helped our nation a lot. What he cared about most were people. He eliminated a lot of welfare and people had to resort to getting jobs in order to survive. He balanced the budget. What a guy!

I am currently upset with the Republican Party and will no longer donate until they get their act together.
I'm hoping that Sarah Palin will make some effort to bring some kind of cohesion back to the GOP. This is what apparently is causing some libs to get their ever-lovin' panties in a wad. The fear that she may be able to unite the currently dysfunctional Republican Party and somehow bring them back to a mutally agreed upon party platform. The GOP is in dire need of leadership and maybe Palin can help. The country is in need of all the help it can get right now. We're hurtin' and hemorraging and Obama's band-aids are not doing the trick. "

kevin wrote on Jul 19, 2009 5:08 PM:

" "Poohmama - "Blue Dog" Democrats are the back bone of this nation and I will vote for them any time."

XMAN, what exactly IS a "Blue Dog" Democrat?

Here in Napa, CA we have a self identified "Blue Dog" Democrat Congressman who votes in lockstep with his mentor Nancy Pelosi.

He has voted for EVERY deficit raising bill that the Democrat controlled House has proposed.

Why would you vote for a no account spendthrift like that who obviously want's to bankrupt the country? "

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