Palin’s Chances In 2012
By Justin Gardner | Related entries in 2012 Election, Palin
The Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza thinks her chances are good.
However, if Cillizza really believes that…he is CRAZY.
Remember folks, we’re talking about winning the Republican nomination, not merely entering the race. Nearly any well know known politician can do that, and obviously Palin is that at this point. Also, no doubt her fundraising prowess will make her competitive at the start…but for the long haul?
Well, let’s look at this through something other than rose colored glasses Cillizza seems to be wearing.
Politically, she is now widely seen as a drag on McCain’s ticket. And with all of her obvious talents at delivering stump speeches, her painful interviews where she flubs answers on very basic questions make her appear not so quick on her feet. And that reminds Republicans of a certain President who isn’t too popular and probably won’t be for the foreseeable future.
And then there’s her record in Alaska…
Her windfall profit, wealth redistribution policies in Alaska alone will easily be picked apart by any fiscal conservative worth his or her salt. And then there’s TrooperGate, which is probably the most public ethics law violation in recent political history. Doesn’t exactly bolster that reformer message. Also, you can forget the Bridge to Nowhere…and instead focus on the Road to Nowhere. You know, the road that cost millions that leads to a spot where a bridge was supposed to be built. Again, cannon fodder for the fiscally responsible set.
On the other hand, she’s attractive and folksy and…well, she has shot a moose before.
So honestly, with all of this stacked against her and most likely no chance of a “reformer” theme being viable for any Republican challenger in 2012, will Republicans really welcome her back into the fold with open arms?
I say no. Not a chance in hell.
To me, Romney is the guy for 2012. Like him or not, he’ll be able to make a compelling “trusted economic experience” case for the country if the economy doesn’t perk up as much as folks had hoped under a President Obama. And we’re seeing the ground laid for the coming “socialist” campaign against Obama and the Democrats right now. Republicans will spend the next four years pounding that message down voters throats until it gets traction. It’s what they’re best at, and they’re not going to change tactics in 4 years time. Maybe if they lose in 2012, but certainly not between now and then.
Plus, Romney will have 4 years to define himself as an outsider pick to an increasingly fiscally conservative base. And hard core conservative Christians will probably go for a resurgent Huckabee anyway, thus killing Palin’s chances in a field where she simply doesn’t fit in anywhere.
Nope, Palin is done. Take it to the bank.
This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008 and is filed under 2012 Election, Palin. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
October 22nd, 2008 at 7:01 am
i dont think that palin even knows what socialism is, in fact she and mccain may be the real socialist
October 22nd, 2008 at 7:02 am
[...] « Palin’s Chances In 2012 [...]
October 22nd, 2008 at 7:19 am
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October 22nd, 2008 at 7:56 am
Although I see Palin as a one-women entitlement program, she plays well with the Republican base. The primaries tend to push the focus from the center and Palin is well positioned for that. Now she needs to put in some serious work in the next couple of years to increase her ability to answer a wide variety of questions in interviews, keep out of trouble, and put together a network of fundraising. Will she do this? Can she change her image to moderates while still keeping the base? I think she will try and to dismiss her out of hand would be a big mistake for Republicans.
October 22nd, 2008 at 8:35 am
Please. Please. I can imagine no better scenario than the GOP nominating Lady Sarah in 2012, assuming, of course, that she’s not in jail by then for her illegal activities in Alaska.
She would be a dream candidate, for Obama’s second term. She would destroy whatever credibility remains for the Republican party.
An even better scenario, and perhaps more likely, is Lady Sarah running as a third party candidate siphoning off votes from Mitt from the hard-core, red-state fundies who won’t vote for a heretic.
October 22nd, 2008 at 9:33 am
Palin and reverend Huck can split the Evangelicals giving the other %60 of voters to Romney. Easy win. Can you picture anyone else winning New Hampshire, Michigan, Nevada and Florida? I cant.
October 22nd, 2008 at 11:35 am
I agree, Romney (rightly) will be the front runner in 2012. Palin is incompetent and a joke, and she’s MEAN:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQobIUE1zTU
October 22nd, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Jindal/Palin 2012!!!
October 24th, 2008 at 12:32 am
Obama second term 2012
July 4th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
main st.america cannot aford another republican like palin in office. if obama isnt getting down to the source of the problem for the working class and middle class ,how can you expect palin to? get it right and fix it democrats before its to late. How many jobs must be lost till you wake up and realize the same old approach isnt going to work? In order for true change to take place,democrats in congress have to make a stance. Do the right thing democrats, and stop kissing your republican brothers butts.