Palin: “If I cost John McCain even one vote then I am sorry about that”
posted at 2:20 pm on November 5, 2008 by Allahpundit
Here’s my pessimism post from the day she was announced; I think it held up well. She did cost McCain one vote — namely, Dennis Hopper’s — but she surely didn’t cost him 100 EVs, which it turns out is what he would have needed to win. Onward and upward, then, for the ‘Cuda. Anyone who can draw a crowd the way she does has a future nationally, but Fey plus the Couric and Gibson interviews leaves her with image repair to do among the indies she’d have to win to be president. The way forward, as I see it:
1. Don’t run for Senate. Run for governor again.
2. Study. The left will be expecting doltishness in every policy interview she gives going forward. Each one is an opportunity to surprise them.
3. Embrace bipartisanship. The ‘Cuda has the base in her pocket, thanks partly to her record, partly to her personal charm, and partly to her Jacksonian moose-hunter persona. I’m half convinced that if she came out for immediate and unconditional amnesty tomorrow, she’d flip 50 percent of conservatives instantly on the issue. Since there’s nothing she can do to alienate them, forget about them and concentrate on the center. She has a record of working with Dems in Alaska; that’s been complicated by her attacks on The One, but she’s got nothing but time to put it back together.
4. Keep a high national profile. A fundraiser here, a TV appearance there, periodic conference calls with the staff of the Weekly Standard, and she’s in business. Some sort of charitable initiative, ideally one that takes her overseas, would also be useful.
And there you have it. Foolproof, unless the sniping from McCain aides (and possibly McCain himself) destroys her reputation — which it won’t, per point 3. Exit question poll: Romney 33, Huckabee 20, Palin 18.
Blowback
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christene on November 5, 2008 at 2:41 PM
McCain was the only man at the wrong time. Period. The very fact that he could defeat the others tells you everything you need to know about how weak they were – and blaming the Democrat and Independent interlopers in New Hampshire is a weak excuse. A truly vital conservative movement united around a strong and convincing candidate would have shrugged them off with ease.
If national security had remained an urgent issue, if the Energy Crisis 2 hadn’t been swamped by the financial meltdown, McCain-Palin might have eked out a victory in a Democratic year, then managed a 4-year national unity/reform government, and helped contribute actively to an eventual conservative re-birth, but the country had already rejected the Republicans and their 25% President. Sure the Congress was ca. 10% approval, but no one was ready, yet, to blame the Democrats for failing to turn the country around after a mere 2 years occuping one branch of government.
Stop fantasizing about an incarnation of the conservative movement and conservative record that for all intents and purposes was on its deathbed by 2000, and managed one last hectic flush in 2004 before collapsing in 2006. For one brief moment after 9/11, Bush & the Republican Congress had a chance to prove themselves. They failed. The rest is epilogue.
CK MacLeod on November 5, 2008 at 2:41 PM
The problem with “embrace bipartisanship” is that the only thing you can really guarantee a bunch of partisan Washington insiders can come together on is……making life better for Washington insiders.
So you see bipartisan ideas like logrolling, tradeoffs of pet projects, megapanders like the “rebate check”, and running with panics in packs.
cthulhu on November 5, 2008 at 2:41 PM
I VOTED FOR McCAIN BECAUSE OF GOV PALIN!!!
http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/8691/palinjindalzq3.jpg
christene on November 5, 2008 at 2:32 PM
Canadian Infidel on November 5, 2008 at 2:42 PM
Please don’t pet the donkey, it’s known to bite.
rickster on November 5, 2008 at 2:42 PM
Her only problem in the interview with Couric was in not being good at a glibly evading stupid questions.
She’s not as used to lying as we expect our candidates to be, which is a plus in my book. But yes it did allow the media to paint her as unprepared.
kcewa on November 5, 2008 at 2:43 PM
Allahpundit strikes again! The solution is for Palin to move to the left! If she wholeheartedly embraces amnesty, half of us dumb, drooling conservatives would follow her over!
Just to debunk one part of APs stupidity – do you really have such low regard of conservatives as to think we would abandon a core principle based upon idolic worship of a conservative celebrity? We, who erupted at George Bush over Dubai Ports, Harriet Myers, and this same amnesty issue last year? In fact, we revolted over amnesty when most of the Republican bigwigs in Washington either openly were pushing it or staying silent while they were putting their fingers in the air to test the weather.
Does Michelle Malkin really run this site? She is the number one anti-shamnesty person in the blogosphere. There is no way AP’s post represents her opinions, that’s for sure!
Phildorex on November 5, 2008 at 2:43 PM
Biggest loser today. Her thighness, Hillary Rodham Clinton. That feels good.
Sara’Cuda will return.
HornetSting on November 5, 2008 at 2:43 PM
To those who missed it on the first page, Here is the Email from ManlyRash complete with contact info.
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on November 5, 2008 at 2:43 PM
mylegsareswollen,
Palin and Jindal are both socially conservative. There is no need to ditch us soc cons.
Did you notice that the marriage amendments in FL, AZ and I believe, even CA all passed?
Protecting life is a fundamental issue for humanity. Pro-lifers an important part of the grass roots of the Republican party. The only disappointment was assisted suicide in WA. If I were elderly, I would move from there.
This election was not lost because of social issues. Economic issues was the big loser. The GOP could not articulate the Dem’s responsibility on economic issues.
The two big issues that drive national elections are usually defense or the economy. The third leg of the Republican party, social issues, buttresses the other two.
What is needed are some articulate fisc cons among the R’s.
INC on November 5, 2008 at 2:44 PM
Bipartisanship?
With the current DC crowd, that just means laying down in the street before the bus hits you.
That works out fine for the bus, but you still get run over.
Russ on November 5, 2008 at 2:44 PM
McCain could have had a chance if he came out strong against the bailout. It’s time to take a stand and insist that our public officials act as fiduciaries and not treat our money as their own. We’re about to have 4 years of corrupt bureaucrats who will think our bank accounts are their own personal treasury. It’s time for conservatives to get back to their roots to spread the message that this is not ok.
patriette on November 5, 2008 at 2:44 PM
It is what happens when you have a strong family nucleus for support during hard times.
ThackerAgency on November 5, 2008 at 2:44 PM
This is exactly the wrong thing to do. Our next candidate will be a real true-red conservative, or he/she will do even worse than McCain. The poll numbers indicate that McCain lost (partially) because he didn’t get support from the base. I don’t buy this pander-to-the-center mantra that RINOs have been spouting for….seems like decades now.
FuriousAmerican on November 5, 2008 at 2:44 PM
No one gave a shit about McCain until he tapped her for the VP spot. Before the election, McCain was the Democrats’ favorite Republican. Now that it is over he will return to that post. He is a RINO. Palin handled everything as best as she could given the circumstances. When a person is new to the national stage, it is only normal to listen to those who supposedly know how to handle things. Unfortunately for Palin, the folks running the McCain campaign were a bunch of imbeciles.
Kamikaze on November 5, 2008 at 2:44 PM
sarah didn’t cost McCain anything
his campaign misshandled her big time, she then showed she was a great campaigner and someone who would stand on their principals
I don’t think she’s top of the ticket material,
maybe going back to the Governor’s office is best.
sarah was the star of the campaign and would have outshown fading rock star had not Mccain bungled the financial crisis – reject the bailout
Jindal – he’s my governor and he counldn’t even effectuvely veto a LA legislator major salary vote in (also second on the ticket)
the repubs need a 40-50 ish forceful Reagan Democrat with ideals, vision and compassion
I don’t see anyone filling those shoes just yet
and it wont be a size 5 pump
audiotom on November 5, 2008 at 2:44 PM
Gov. Palin didn’t cost him the election. John McCain cost him the election.
madmonkphotog on November 5, 2008 at 2:44 PM
Prior to Palin the only reason McCain had my vote was b/c I knew he would defend our country…when he introduced Palin I began counting down the days till I could vote for HER…now I wait till 2012…Sarah will only get better during that time…Imagine how amazing she’ll be when she’s unleashed, and toe to toe against The One.
ocbrat on November 5, 2008 at 2:45 PM
Wrong. The message is more important than the messenger. There may be some fraction of erstwhile conservatives that are that caught up in Palinmania, but certainly not 50%. ‘Course you’re only half-convinced that 50% would flip, so maybe you really mean 25% which might be believeable. If Palin diverted that far from a basic conservative principle, I and many others would oppose her fiercely.
Politics is like tug-o-war. You win the center by pulling HARD on your end of the rope.
innominatus on November 5, 2008 at 2:45 PM
Very classy woman.
As for bipartisanship, screw that.
Torch on November 5, 2008 at 2:45 PM
We should have a good crop of candidates starting in 2012 and Palin is one of them. If she is serious about running for the top spot, she should soon begin leading the party. She is smart, competent and a tremendous person.
whitetop on November 5, 2008 at 2:45 PM
When I worked at The Grand Canyon there was and still is a sign on the corral that says ‘don’t pet the mules’. (just sayin’)
thomasaur on November 5, 2008 at 2:45 PM
No, she would not. Give your friends a little more credit, Allah. I do not belong to a personality cult. Most of us liked her because she was NOT McCain and we say more real Red from him than EVER before because she was with him. Before that, no way.
I VOTED FOR MAC FOR PALIN.
Mommypundit on November 5, 2008 at 2:46 PM
the GOP has to have a candidate that forges an alliance between Social Conservatives and less religious Economic Conservatives, while holding to a muscular Foreign Policy.
Palin does this, that plus she’s electric. Thats why we should build around her.
Huckabee and Romeny do not. Newt, if only he wasn’t hated, would work too.
jp on November 5, 2008 at 2:46 PM
Nothing more clearly demonstrates why the Republicans lost than this statement by McCain: “I don’t know what more we could have done to try to win this election.”
As a conservative Republican, I DO know: the dolts running our party could have nominated a conservative — someone who has, and is not afraid to be guided by, actual, conservative principles — rather than nominating the fourth squishy moderate in a row; possibly the squishiest of the squishy (Gang of 14, anyone?). Bringing in Sarah Palin was a brilliant move, but the Party Powers That Be completely blew that by putting her on the wrong end of the ticket.
Screw the Republican party. I’m changing my registration to Independent.
SynthSmith on November 5, 2008 at 2:47 PM
She said all the right things, the ticket will come to her, she doesn’t need to pander. She knows what she is doing, she is a professional and hates to lose. She will have the power because she will raise the money.
Firebird on November 5, 2008 at 2:47 PM
I greatly prefer governors to senators for the presidency. The type of experience they get translates better to the office. Plus, Palin needs to stay governor in order to continue to claim more executive experience than Obama in 2012. Since he’ll be an incumbent president, his experience will trump hers either way. It’s worse if she goes to the Senate.
aero on November 5, 2008 at 2:47 PM
The Gibson interview was fine, were it not for the hack editing, which of course was not really her fault. It was the Couric interview that hurt the most and let others define her. I, too, wish she had just called out Couric on the stupid questions.
McCain aides trashing Palin have no class and no honor. McCain should denounce them, but it looks like he won’t.
SAZMD on November 5, 2008 at 2:47 PM
3. Embrace bipartisanship.
No way. She should be a strident voice on the national level in opposition to Obama’s stupid policies–that is, after we find out what his policies are and can decide for ourselves whether they are stupid. THAT is the way forward–her majesty’s loyal opposition.
daryl_herbert on November 5, 2008 at 2:47 PM
I’m telling you, Romney would have alienated the Christian right.
Romney’s PR firm needs to stop pushing him. He lost South Carolina BIG TIME because of his Mormonism. And he would have lost the South in the General Election.
Sarah was the right choice. If she was treated properly by the McCain camp, she would have been a success. Instead, they let the media (especially that awful Katie Couric, who I can’t even look at) define Sarah. Bad move on the GOP part (what the heck was Peggy Noonan thinking? Jealously is an ugly thing on women).
But the attacks against her proved that sexism played a HUGE role in this election. People hated Sarah, people hated Hillary. It is okay to hate a woman, apparently, with no retribution.
But criticize Obama, then you are a racist, of course (oh please). I’m sorry that the republicans played into Obama’s bag of tricks. I thought you conservatives were smarter than that.
stefystef on November 5, 2008 at 2:48 PM
“DIVA”!!!!!!! Why is it that they can use such a sexist, despicable term to describe a woman without blinking an eyelash, but if a term even remotely sounds racist or bigoted everyone has a meltdown. Female is the final frontier. Ladies of the world, we just got our collective asses kicked by MEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sexism lives.
bloggless on November 5, 2008 at 2:48 PM
Yeah, no kidding on the numbers. So much for the crap about the country shifting center-left. John McCain might have won more votes by not harping about reaching across the aisle. Reaching across the aisle only works when the sane reside on both sides of the aisle.
That hasn’t been the case for quite some time.
Marine_Bio on November 5, 2008 at 2:48 PM
BS on the idea of bipartisanship! Gov Palin is highly principled and walks the talk. She saved this darn ticket from total disgrace. Biartisanship weakens your stance it does not strengthen it. Stake your ground and hold it and compromise minimally and only as a last resort for positive action. I’d rather be defeated rarely than compromised all of the time.
Was Sarah Palin an asset to this ticket and does she have a future on the national scene?…..You Betcha!
Buckeye Babe on November 5, 2008 at 2:48 PM
You know, it really is time for a party split. If you consider history, we are way over-due.
Kamikaze on November 5, 2008 at 2:49 PM
Yep I have no doubt she can bring major doe.
terryannonline on November 5, 2008 at 2:49 PM
.
Who do you think? Some Evangelicals.
.
FIFY
artlover on November 5, 2008 at 2:49 PM
I like that analogy. You don’t win by taking the other side’s opinions, you win the center by making your side of the argument look good – like family values is good for everyone. That makes your side bigger because the center becomes your side instead of the center.
ThackerAgency on November 5, 2008 at 2:49 PM
I LOVE HER.
The only reason I voted for McCain was Sarah Palin.
I would walk over broken glass to vote for that woman. As soon as she announces her 2012 PAC I will start donating money every month.
Norwegian on November 5, 2008 at 2:49 PM
I’m still jazzed about Sarah Palin. She didn’t cost McCain my vote.
ddrintn on November 5, 2008 at 2:50 PM
<blockquotedaryl_herbert on November 5, 2008 at 2:47 PM
It is the day after, give her at least 24 hours. She will be the anti-Obama.
Firebird on November 5, 2008 at 2:50 PM
If John McCain would have picked someone else, I might have voted for Bob Barr, but he garnered my vote, the moment he chose her as his running mate, and I don’t and regret her being on the ticket at all. With that said:
PALIN 2012!!!!!
ConservativePartyNow on November 5, 2008 at 2:50 PM
I just wrote the same thing. This jubiliant election of a black man, totally ignores the blatant sexism towards women, not once with Hillary, but twice with Governor Palin. Way to go girls. Thinking with your uteruses.
bloggless on November 5, 2008 at 2:51 PM
McCain lost the election himself. Gov. Palin gave him several times to regain his footing, and he didn’t take it. I don’t think he ever really wanted it, according to Newsweek.
His inability to “name names” when the
economic crisisSeptember Surprise came out is what ultimatel killed him. He did NOT put it on the feet of the Democrats who created / released it.Enoxo on November 5, 2008 at 2:51 PM
We reached across the isle and got the gang of 10 and the biggest bailout in history.
Yay for Bipartisanship !
William Amos on November 5, 2008 at 2:51 PM
If John McCain would have picked someone else, I might have voted for Bob Barr, but he garnered my vote, the moment he chose her as his running mate, and I don’t
andregret her being on the ticket at all. With that said:PALIN 2012!!!!!
ConservativePartyNow on November 5, 2008 at 2:50 PM
ConservativePartyNow on November 5, 2008 at 2:51 PM
If I remember my history correctly, the last time this happened was around Lincoln’s time, when the Whigs died out and the Repubs rose to power. Correct?
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on November 5, 2008 at 2:51 PM
My love for Sarah knows no bounds, and even if all the sniping is true (and often when there smoke there’s at least a little fire) I’ll still vote for her if she runs in 2012. I may move to Alaska, that’s how far my love goes…I’d be willing to live in darkness and 60 below temps for months at a time.
I personally think she’d be best served by following much of AP’s advice and serving a full second term as governor, and then mounting a campaign for 2016. Her second term would end in 2014, perfect timing to start a two year run for the 2016 election. Plus her kids will be older, she’ll have lots of time to flesh out her governing philosophy, build good will both in the party and across the aisle, build up solid national and foreign policy credentials, and all the sniping and mistakes of this year will be long forgotten.
I’m also of the opinion that she’d do well to continue to stay above the sniping and to tell her aides to have gracious responses as well. I think that may hurt her in the short term, but in the long run that makes her look like the bigger person.
I’m opposed to her doing any national media for a while. Let things cool down, and skip Oprah, Hollywood, and writing a tell-all book. Any book she writes should be a book on governance and should be down the line a couple of years. I also think that she should skip the personal honorariums for speaking tours and if she does speaking tours: focus them on advocating for special needs children and donating any honorariums to research, etc.
Just my two cents, and I feel sure that she won’t take my advice. Politicians rarely do what I think they should. And after reading a lot about her, Palin doesn’t sound like she always takes advice that she doesn’t want to hear all that well.
meltenn on November 5, 2008 at 2:52 PM
Exactly. The Media and Dimbocrats had a field day attacking this woman over all types of insane crap yet it is Palin who was the mean one. The most unbelievable thing is that Obama is so partisian yet this false image of him being bi-partisian remains.
Wow. Just WOW.
Dritanian on November 5, 2008 at 2:52 PM
Heh I thought this was a hunting reference
William Amos on November 5, 2008 at 2:52 PM
I want Palin in the senate. I emailed her and told her she was nothing but an asset to McCain. Go Sarah!
americanpatriot on November 5, 2008 at 2:52 PM
…if for no other reason, than she’ll be just another Beltway insider, and given the VP run, an opportunist. Go back to Alaska, Sarah, and be your damn self. That’s why we luv ya, and that’s what will bring ya back.
You betcha!
manwithblackhat on November 5, 2008 at 2:53 PM
Damn Allah! I forgot how concise you can be at times. The only additional suggestion that I have for Sarah is to become a bit more articulate in her speech patterns. People want a regular American, but they want someone who can disseminate their ideas with easily understood speaking techniques, Ala Reagan as I remember him.
csdeven on November 5, 2008 at 2:53 PM
Enough of the Romney talk…
Romney’s campaign slogan “I’m the guy that lost to McCain”
Firebird on November 5, 2008 at 2:53 PM
Part of me wants her to stay in Alaska as governor, and then as an elder stateswoman, and enjoy her natural resources and family. Yet she was on target with conservative principles and was electrifying in front of a crowd. I agree that she has some study to do, but fulfilling her term and re-election, plus this crash course in 2008, should be enough. We need all the conservative governors we can get at this time, Jindal, Crist, etc.
rickreyn on November 5, 2008 at 2:54 PM
She’s terrific, and I definitely think governor, not Senate. Some more time, more accomplishments, and she’ll wash away all hesitation about her preparedness.
Spirit of 1776 on November 5, 2008 at 2:54 PM
if the GOP has a brain, they’ll have people working with her the next few years
jp on November 5, 2008 at 2:54 PM
She’ll know how to handle the press next time. Palin needs to be herself.
Did anyone see this from the Corner last night?
Why O Why O Why
I don’t agree with every point, but it’s pretty good analysis of R losses. This is the last item and the only time he mentions Palin.
That’s his only mention of Palin. I think at that point she was probably doing as McCain’s staff directed.
INC on November 5, 2008 at 2:54 PM
Just a little before Lincoln. I think we are way overdue. There is such a definite fissure in the Republican Party. I would just like to leave the RINOs behind. God, I hope Palin doesn’t veer in that direction.
Kamikaze on November 5, 2008 at 2:54 PM
it’s funny. some women in my family said in the democratic primaries that they thought Hillary was a bitch, so they weren’t going to vote for her. then they turn around and trash Palin. i’m sure others have experienced this. my question is, what exactly is the magic quotient a woman must have to win over the masses, because i really don’t get it anymore and i am slowly building up anger.
Nuge em on November 5, 2008 at 2:54 PM
Thank God Republican primary voters in 2000 were smart enough to pick a new star instead of going with Quayle or McCain. If they hadn’t we would have had to look at Al Gore’s ugly mug for the last 8 years.
Speedwagon82 on November 5, 2008 at 2:55 PM
McCain lost this election back in 2000 when he had a hissy fit over losing the primary and proceeded to thumb his nose at the conservative base and GWB every chance he got.
The moderates are trying to play CYA so they maintain their own power within the party by blaming Palin for this loss. Not going to work.
jbarkley on November 5, 2008 at 2:55 PM
With all due respect to Allahpundit (who I think gets an unduly hard time here every now and then), I think point #3 is why we’re looking at an upcoming Obama administration.
ddrintn on November 5, 2008 at 2:55 PM
Welcome to the Constitution Party pal! All the talk of bipartisanship got us what Allah? That’s right, jack, nada zilch. McCain never stood on grounded conservative principles and hurt the turnout of the base. And that’s why we lost. McCain hurt himself and the campaign with his own words and actions. Is he a great American? Yes, and I salute him. But he is not a true conservative, and is not the face of the conservative movement. Palin/Jindal are.
Baraky on November 5, 2008 at 2:55 PM
I agree with the National Review in that, I don’t think Gov. Palin should run or put herself in the Senate. That would break half her charm as being an outsider.
She does, however, need to stay on the national stage. Doing interviews, visiting places, etc.
Enoxo on November 5, 2008 at 2:55 PM
Sarah didn’t cost McCain anything. She was the reason that the margin wasn’t much larger. A lot of “luke warm” republicians got on board after she was nominated. There are a lot of “what ifs” out there but my view is that if the ticket had been Fred Thompson and Sarah the outcome would have been totally different.
duff65 on November 5, 2008 at 2:55 PM
I suspect that most of the people who claimed that Palin was the reason they voted against McCain were searching for an excuse to jump ship long before Palin was named. If it hadn’t been Palin, it would have been something else.
On the other hand, Palin definitely added millions of votes to McCains total that he could not have gotten any other way.
MarkTheGreat on November 5, 2008 at 2:56 PM
Let Huck and Romney compliment Rush and Sean. They’ve had their chances. We need younger, bolder, fighters who understand first principles. If there was one thing Fred! was right about it was that.
Iblis on November 5, 2008 at 2:56 PM
Well, as Nancy Pelosi has said, the Dems are certainly going to be more inclined to be bipartisan now with one party rule so that should make it easy for Palin, right?
/sarc
Honestly, the attack dog is the traditional position for the VP candidate and she was, well, an attack dog. I like Sarah, I like her story but I am not 100% sold on her just yet. These four years will be critical for the conservative movement in a number of ways including polishing Palin.
Texas74 on November 5, 2008 at 2:57 PM
I’m glad what you said about the McCain aides being classless. That’s why McCain lost. His team had no loyalty nor believed in him. But McCain won’t denounce them. And you know what? He shouldn’t, IMO.
The race is over. It’s time for the Republicans to do some soul searching. Bush has brought them nothing. Not one Republican candidate could use Bush to help boost their numbers. Coleman in Minnesota barely won, and that’s only because people there didn’t like Franken. The Republicans have lost the White House and the Congress. The two liberal Supreme Court judges will happily retire now knowing they will be replaced with liberal jurists.
Republicans need to ask themselves- how to we fix this? Bush has brought down in less than 8 years what took 25 years to build up. I’m a independent and I’m telling you, ya need to re-visit the Conservative Agenda. I think too many of you forgot it. And that’s why you are, once again, the minority. Start soul searching, conservatives.
stefystef on November 5, 2008 at 2:57 PM
Agree.
Wade on November 5, 2008 at 2:57 PM
My question is how did we end up with such lousy options back during the primaries. I voted for Huckabee for the Fair Tax. I figure if you do well economically, you can buy everything else. I say Prosperity First!
Kamikaze on November 5, 2008 at 2:57 PM
She needs to become the center of a “shadow government”.
ddrintn on November 5, 2008 at 2:57 PM
She’s a good woman and smarter than she’s given credit for. But she should stay in Alaska. She’s done a good job there and they’ve rewarded her with tremendous approval.
If she goes to Washington at all (beyond conferences &c.), it should be a Secr. of Energy. She’s good, but we’ve got plenty of good people and don’t necessarily have to pick someone already on the national stage.
Tzetzes on November 5, 2008 at 2:57 PM
Sometimes “working together” means making sure there is a short leash on the other guys. Anyway, that’s what I hear when Palin says it because that’s what she has done in the past.
pugwriter on November 5, 2008 at 2:57 PM
Gov. Palin didn’t cost McCain the election, it was the brand in the gutter that cost him and his refusal to name Democrats who caused this mess. Rush has been hammering and pleading McCain to take names. McCain failed to tap into the nations anger and there you have it.
We need a new and improved GOP, GOP 2.0.
I am praying that America remains center-right after this election and I hope this is not the start of the Obama-Revolution like Reagan brought about.
It was the ‘R’ next to his name that sunk his candidacy!
jacobnyc on November 5, 2008 at 2:57 PM
I don’t want bipartisanship. What good did it do Bush and McCain? You can’t squeeze water from a rock and you can’t squeeze bipartisanship from a liberal. They don’t work that way.
bloggless on November 5, 2008 at 2:57 PM
God, how far can one person be outclassed by another? This wonderful woman was kicked aside for the likes of Biden.
I love you Governor Palin, thanks for everything.
surrounded on November 5, 2008 at 2:57 PM
I swore last night that I was going off to sulk for a while, but I almost immediately changed my mind. I quit being sad and got madder than hell instead.
Sarah Palin, listen up!!! YOU carried McCain farther than he would have ever gone on his own.
NO BIPARTISANSHIP!!!! Look where that stupid idea got us. You stick to being a conservative Sarah, and you’ll go far. Run for Governor. Don’t sink into the snakepit of Congress.
Oink on November 5, 2008 at 2:58 PM
Now, now…
Let’s give
AllahpunditAlanColmes his schadenfreude moment in the sun.After all, ever since his boy The Huckster got kicked to the curb like an annoying hyperactive puppy, AP’s been a miserable Eeyore. He deserves a respite.
So let him try to convince people that The Cuda killed McCain’s run for the WH. He may get some satisfaction from planting that whacked out fantasy, but ultimately the warm fuzzy he’ll get from those efforts will be fleeting and hollow.
My kitty says:
Et tu Brute on November 5, 2008 at 2:58 PM
The Palin 2012 bumper stickers have been a very popular item. That and “Don’t blame me. I voted for McCain.”
Ronnie on November 5, 2008 at 2:58 PM
Yes. This is exactly correct. Palin gave them a convenient excuse to jump ship, one the MSM could embrace. Funny how no one really asked them why O was so qualified if Sarah wasn’t.
SAZMD on November 5, 2008 at 2:58 PM
We must treat the MSM differently from this point fwd. Make the Dems look ridiculous takling to themselves if we have to.
jp on November 5, 2008 at 2:59 PM
Gov. Palin you did not cost McCain one vote.He should get down on his knees and thank you for making it close. He not you ran one of the worst campains in the history of this country stay as Gov. run for reelection and we will see you in about 2 years. God Bless
thmcbb on November 5, 2008 at 2:59 PM
just got home and have read some excellent ideas here…
Sarah can begin immediately to get to know Blue Dogs and other conservative Democrats and develop relationships that ‘may’ open the door for a realignment of politicians in the USA on national and local levels. I don’t believe that Democrats in every state, county and town will embrace the level of liberalism that is probably coming soon, and the Republican party could position itself to attract some of these folks.
Sarah should keep a high profile while advocating for special needs citizens. I agree that another term as Governor will be more beneficial than running for Senate. Additionally, she can use her star power to help rasie money and support candidates who share her conservative values, which will give her continued exposure here in the Lower 48.
Red State State of Mind on November 5, 2008 at 2:59 PM
Today was a day of firsts here. One of those was that I gave up totaly on both major parties for the future. Another was that I made my first contribution ever to the KKK.
Bipartisianship? Not hardly. Tripartisnship, quadpartisianship; maybe. But neither of the current two of the bi group is worth another dime, or another vote.
MikeA on November 5, 2008 at 2:59 PM
“Embrace Bipartisinship”? Bwahahaha
That’s one of the reasons we LOST this thing! Screw that! Embrace Conservatism and we win.
jbtripp on November 5, 2008 at 2:59 PM
The reason I feel so bad right now, and am taking this all so hard is because Sarah lost. I respect McCain, and I think he’s an honorable man, but Palin was what made me fired up about the ticket. Palin has nothing to apologize for. If it wasn’t for her things would’ve been far worse. With Palin on the ticket we at least had a fighting chance.
eyedoc on November 5, 2008 at 3:00 PM
1, 2 and 4 seem ok.
3 … not so sure on that. I agree she has to appeal to independents, but not by embracing “bipartisanship”, at least not in the way that term is used today. In another thread, another poster made an excellent, succinct point about how Reagan appealed to independents:
That, broadly, is what she needs to do. Put forth a vision, one that includes a strong national defense (which will likely become a bigger issue under Obama), one of economic freedom (which will undoubtebly become a bigger issue under Obama), and throw in some energy independence there for good measure. And mostly stand on principle and be able to articulate those principles. That attracts independents – it’s exactly how Reagan did it, not by reaching out and trying to be bipartisan.
Besides, voters are contradictory on the whole issue of bipartisanship anyway. On one hand, they complain like hell that there’s not a dime’s worth of difference between the parties, and on the other, complain about the lack of bipartisanship – never realizing that those complaints completely contradict one another.
thirteen28 on November 5, 2008 at 3:00 PM
When has a Republican won on bipartisanship? Read Ed’s thread: http://hotair.com/archives/2008/11/05/notes-from-the-collapse/ McCain lost the base of the party on “bipartisaship” and amnesty. The numbers don’t lie. Bipartisanship keeps the base away.
3. Extolling conservative ideals and building a coalition with Blue Dogs by appealing to their constituents and driving a wedge between them and the Democrat leadership is the way to go. 4 years of Reid and Pelosi will make that easy.
Theworldisnotenough on November 5, 2008 at 3:00 PM
McCain would not have any chance if Palin was not there to help him out. McCain even in his concession speech is still pandering to the left. He is now going to work with Obama – does that mean he will vote for higher taxes and cap and trade to bankcrupt the coal industry.
mariloubaker on November 5, 2008 at 3:00 PM
Sure, but if it means forsaking her principles don’t do it.
That’s what a few people pulling the strings in the GOP establishment want. These Republican elite (not grass roots conservatives) are moving the Republican party to the center. Remember what Schwarzenegger said. “Let’s let the party come all the way to the center. Let those people be heard as much as the right.” This is the strategy got Barack Obama elected. It’s a huge mistake. And it’s a great way for Sarah to alienate grass roots conservatives. The farther right she goes, the better.
apacalyps on November 5, 2008 at 3:01 PM
One day after the election, and we are thinking about Palin for 2012? Let’s worry about keeping our seats for 2010 first.
For Palin to have a shot in 2012, you’ll need to bet that Obama was the second reincarnation of Carter and that people have short memories of a candidate whose very first unscripted impressions were the Gibson and Couric interviews. We are in the age of Youtube after all.
As a realist, I don’t think we can bank on Obama tanking his first term. We must at the very least prepare for the possibility that his first term will be average, mundane, typical, yet nothing too disastrous. Given these circumstances, you will need a candidate who can debate Obama (the incumbent then) with more than just slogans.
I thought the Republican Party was a national party. Where’s the national talent? I can’t believe we’re going to be picking among Palin, Huckabee and Romney for 2012. The sheer thought of that depresses the hell out of me.
haner on November 5, 2008 at 3:01 PM
Great interview. I don’t know why people keep harping on Gibson and Couric: those two events will be dim memories when a couple of years have passed.
Palin in 2012. :D
irishspy on November 5, 2008 at 3:01 PM
Honey- you didn’t cost him a thing.
You probably brought him 50,000,000 votes!
ExTex on November 5, 2008 at 3:01 PM
John McCain cost himself those votes, not Palin. The people who don’t like Palin already worshipped Obama. The Republican party needs to get back to conservatism and Palin is a good start. If they don’t, then this country is worse off than we realize.
jeffn21 on November 5, 2008 at 3:01 PM
I’d rather pee on a sparkplug.
Oldnuke on November 5, 2008 at 3:01 PM
LOL! Your kidding right? That’s exactly what we don’t need in our movement, take your racist contributions and ideas elsewhere pal….
Baraky on November 5, 2008 at 3:02 PM
Unfortunately at this point the US is not worthy of a woman like Sarah Palin.
DeweyWins on November 5, 2008 at 3:02 PM
“Senator McCain is an American hero, a remarkable man. I can think of few I respect more. But he’s likely to be the first to be leading the charge toward bipartisanship. This would be a mistake of galactic proportions. This must be resisted.” — NRO [Peter Kirsanow]
CELEBRATE PARTISANSHIP!
digitalintrigue on November 5, 2008 at 3:02 PM
Good Lord….you are joking, right?
Right???
surrounded on November 5, 2008 at 3:02 PM
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