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
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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.
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The only reason John McCain made it, as far as he did, was because of Sarah Palin. Sarah Palin will be the one to beat in 2012. Hold your head up high Governor Palin. We voted for YOU yesterday and we will vote for you again, on Election Day 2012. Go-Sarah-Go.
sinsing on November 5, 2008 at 3:36 PM
Everyone who has small town papers can write letters to the ed and keep thanking Sarah Palin…I mailed her a personal thank you for letting us get to know her a little and told her I was honored to have her as our first GOP VP candidate. At least she is returning to a people who appreciate her.
As things stand, we were heading for socialism with either candidate ( mccain or obama) the only difference was the speed.
Illinois Grandma on November 5, 2008 at 3:36 PM
Good summary, just add runaway government spending…McCain never could really attack that because he was part of the senate.
right2bright on November 5, 2008 at 3:38 PM
I agree. Thanks for these words:
I don’t know if you’ve seen it, but NewsBusters mentions: Green Initiatives Get Slaughtered in California, Will Media Notice?
INC on November 5, 2008 at 3:38 PM
And if she bends over for the other side like McCain she will lose them just as fast. The Republican Party needs to flush the RINO’s out and go back to it’s Conservative roots. RINO’s like GWB, McCain, Gramnesty and week kneed “me too” Republicans are to blame for the Lib’s taking control.
Bulldogger on November 5, 2008 at 3:39 PM
Sent a personal thank you e-mail to the lovely Governor of Alaska just now via Alaska gov site. Stand strong, Sarah, stand strong…
hockey2k5 on November 5, 2008 at 3:39 PM
Moxie on November 5, 2008 at 3:36 PM
About Manly… he had a post last night that said he wouldn’t be coming back here. I hope he was just drunk and disappointed. Maybe he re-upped under another name? I hope so, he was great. Mostly.
petunia on November 5, 2008 at 3:39 PM
That’s 25% of something, but I’m not sure what…
GISAP on November 5, 2008 at 3:39 PM
I am another who adores Sarah Palin. Any McCain staffer who snipes at her should look in the mirror — he or she did a terrible job with McCain’s campaign. Palin was not the problem — just look at the crowds and the enthusiasm she generated. I hope to God we see more of her.
D2Boston on November 5, 2008 at 3:39 PM
Governor Palin has just issued a statement proclaiming that Democrats will be welcome in her 2012 campaign for POTUS… as long as they meet the following conditions:
1) submit and relinquish their rights as human beings,
2) pay a hefty tax to the 2012 campaign,
3) wear burkas,
4) turn to Wasilla and pray 5 times a day,
5) never speak, unless spoken to — and become accustomed to hearing the phrase “SILENCE!…I KEEL YOU.”
My collie says:
Shhh! If Allahpundit is right about the Republican base (and they are as stupid as he thinks they are), how will they know the difference?
CyberCipher on November 5, 2008 at 3:39 PM
I think the issue is that you can’t win by trying to place your self on some political spectrum. You have to convince people to come to where you are, and you can’t do that by trying to stand closer to the other guy. We need to fight the narrative on the environment.
Of course, maybe the global temperature will drop enough in the next four years that “global warming” will be out the window, politically.
Right now, though, it will be hard to push for more drilling until oil prices go back up.
Count to 10 on November 5, 2008 at 3:40 PM
What about the “phenomenon” of conservatives who wouldn’t have voted for McCain without Palin? Partisans grumble, but generally vote for their own side. One comment I haven’t heard much in this election: “I’m a conservative, but I didn’t vote for McCain because he’s not conservative enough.” Palin “fired up the base,” but the way the campaign went, she alienated independents. And Republicans cannot win without independents, much as an echo chamber of conservatism might say otherwise.
Honestly, the attitude I’m seeing here – “We weren’t radical enough” – is the same one I saw at Berkeley, but on the other side of the coin. Gingrich or Thompson would’ve gotten slaughtered by the electorate, no matter how principled and telegenic they might’ve been.
calbear on November 5, 2008 at 3:41 PM
I agree with the assertion that the so-called PUMA movement is mostly an illusion.
Given a choice between Hillary socialism and Obambi socialism they still went for flavor of socialism available at the time. It is errantly charitable to think that the PUMA’s somehow give more of a damn about our Constitution than,say, Breyer or Kennedy. Given that most of what might comprise the group called PUMA’s would readily pull Bill Clinton’s lever, in more ways than one, were he yesterday’s candidate it seems unwise to expect much higher from PUMA’s than their immediate gratification be it political, socialist policy or otherwise.
viking01 on November 5, 2008 at 3:42 PM
I mean really, look in front of you. John McCain is the epitomy of CENTRIST. If his record of bi-partisanship and reaching across the aisle got rejected you think Palin doing it YET AGAIN will work this time?
Whats that old saying about the definition of insanity?
broker1 on November 5, 2008 at 3:42 PM
I’ll say I am now and forever supporting Sarah Palin.
If a woman as accomplished and experienced couldn’t win…
And if a true American woman exemplifying the dream that — yes — anyone can seek national office if they have the right mind and work ethic couldn’t win…
… then what does that say about gay guys like myself?
“You throw like a girl!” you always hear.
And yet, real girls — nay, women — could not win. Sexism became normative.
I’ll repeat here what I shouted from my rooftop deck last night (all over Chicago):
“THIS HILLARY CLINTON SUPPORTER IS NOW AND ALWAYS A REPUBLICAN!”
Mark it. Sarah Palin will have my unwavering support over the next four years of disaster.
lansing quaker on November 5, 2008 at 3:42 PM
Sarah ought to go back to Alaska and win the lawsuit to open up ANWR and then she should drill the hell out of it and sell the oil to the lower 48. If she succeeds in energy, she could run for national office again and win.
PattyJ on November 5, 2008 at 3:43 PM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/01/AR2008100103600.html?hpid=topnews
“Though she initially transformed the race with her energizing presence and a fiery convention speech, Palin is now a much less positive force: Six in 10 voters see her as lacking the experience to be an effective president, and a third are now less likely to vote for McCain because of her.”
You cannot win by simply energizing your base. The hardcore GOP base does not comprise a majority of voters in the country. Ideological purity is not enough. People want prudent, competent and intelligent leaders. The media didn’t make Palin look unprepared, she did that just fine on her own.
alex342 on November 5, 2008 at 3:44 PM
I put AP’s call for bipartisanship firmly within the Alaska political context. Some Ds in Alaska are not so different from Republicans. Let’s hope Obama’s minions don’t follow her there to permanently polarize that state’s political landscape.
I also think she needs to run for Governor again, if for no other reason than to prove she retained her popularity there. If she’s severed politically from Alaska I think it hurts her national political prospects.
DrSteve on November 5, 2008 at 3:44 PM
A site to watch on the weather and energy issues is Watts Up With That?
Lots of good stuff and data to cut through the eco-hype.
INC on November 5, 2008 at 3:44 PM
Absolutely not. The media people pay attention only to those issues dear to their hearts.
And on another note, even I am a little upset with Manly, I hope he comes back. Miss you Manly. If you read the site please come back.
clemycali on November 5, 2008 at 3:45 PM
And yet you refuse to believe that Romney is a conservative. You just dont’ get it do you.
And no one can blame the PUMAs for McCain’s loss. I think it was as real as Rush’s operation chaos. I just don’t think there are enough people willing to vote against their own party to help the other party in the long run.
petunia on November 5, 2008 at 3:45 PM
I fear we are moving into a glorious period of superficial cordiality and “bipartisanship” (created and pushed by the media, of course)… next cycle we will need Jindal or another new face that doesn’t remind people of this election cycle, I think.
DaveS on November 5, 2008 at 3:45 PM
If the quote in that article is true, and I am certainly not taking their word for it, then McCain is an absolute disloyal creep. To turn on her after dragging her through all of that crap would be ridiculous and inexcusable.
joewm315 on November 5, 2008 at 3:45 PM
Wrong attitude, I think. What is needed is for someone to convince him of the virtue of private property and capitalism. I’ve forgotten, where was he on foreign policy? At any rate, conservatives need to gather and educate; spread their principles around rather than contract. Even if we have people that emphasize one aspect over another, we need to remember that they are part of a whole philosophy.
Count to 10 on November 5, 2008 at 3:47 PM
YOU don’t get it, petunia. Romney was NEVER a conservative, he just played one on t.v. I don’t blame Pumas, can’t blame a ghost. I blame those that gave us McCain and his poor excuse of a damn campaign.
HornetSting on November 5, 2008 at 3:47 PM
Uh, focusing on the center by going for amnesty? I hope that was sarcasm.
McCain reached out for the center and missed horribly. Meanwhile, around 20% of conservatives and Republicans (not always the same group, mind you) voted for Obama.
Sarah, stay with the base. Conservatism, FTW.
nlj on November 5, 2008 at 3:48 PM
I voted the ticket because of Sarah Palin. So there you go MSM – you destroyed a Republican for no other reason than you determined she was a danger to your perfect gift wrapped election for The One.
And I will vote for her again if her name appears on another ballot for me.
JeffinOrlando on November 5, 2008 at 3:49 PM
clemycali on November 5, 2008 at 3:45 PM
He told me last night after his “speech” he will not be back. Hopefully he will be but I wouldn’t bet on it…
kareyk on November 5, 2008 at 3:51 PM
Looks around and just shakes her head.
If Sarah runs again… God help us all… it will be worse the next time around. Just watch.
upinak on November 5, 2008 at 3:52 PM
Its not radical, though. Radical is what has been done to this country every time the Democrats have been in power.
Count to 10 on November 5, 2008 at 3:52 PM
Well I sent a note to the Alaskan Governor’s office … saying that I’ll volunteer to support Palin in whatever she does.
America now enters a very dark period … sorry but there is no other way to cut this folks – it’s going to be bad. The natives have stormed the castle – the tapestries SHALL be burned and there’s no way it can be stopped. We can take it back – we will take it back – but it will be work.
So I encourage anyone interested to bombard the Alaska Governor’s office with your name and contact information. And sign up for the Palin Army.
HondaV65 on November 5, 2008 at 3:52 PM
John McCain ran on bipartisanship. You can’t win an election by meeting in the middle. You have to have some conviction other than compromise. As far as I can tell, McCain has co-sponsored more bills with Democrats than Republicans. The last time I checked, the average Republican spent a little more time getting to know their candidate than the average Democrat. Hell, we lost to Senator Hopeandchange because our candidate had no message. You can’t accomplish anything by being middle of the road, moderate, average because it all equals mediocrity. Sarah Palin is by no means mediocre. She may not be as cosmopolitan as some would like, but quite frankly, I prefer someone with metaphorical balls. David Lee Roth put best when he said. “Stand tall, and walk with your balls swinging.”
Kamikaze on November 5, 2008 at 3:52 PM
Perhaps the only memorable quote from the Never ending story:
“It has to hurt if its to heal.”
Count to 10 on November 5, 2008 at 3:53 PM
Screw bipartisanship.
The only reason to reach across the aisle is to slap a lib.
TexBob on November 5, 2008 at 3:54 PM
Sarah, you’re the only reason John McCain got my vote. Best wishes to you.
timopb on November 5, 2008 at 3:55 PM
Sarah and Alaska has suffered due to the MSM and retarded people across the Nation.
Sarah can run again if she so chooses…. but the MSM will be keeping an eye out on her forever now as well as Alaskan politics in general. Other then to make this State look like a freak show.
upinak on November 5, 2008 at 3:55 PM
You are my hero.
Kamikaze on November 5, 2008 at 3:56 PM
You continue to buy into the Huckabee lies. That contest is over. You need to look at the real Romney. See what he stands for and fights for. This is why we can’t let someone as basically dishonest as Huckabee have a large place at the table. His lies convince too many people because of his supposed religous creditenals.
Fiscally Huckabee is as far from Republican positions as anyone can get. So you who keep talking about RINOs are completely wrong on this. It is absolute hyprocisy to call others RINOs and give Huckabee a pass.
All of us have differences in degree of what is the most important part of the Republican platform.
petunia on November 5, 2008 at 3:57 PM
Quote of the day…and it came from Texas. Where you from, sugar? San Antonio, Texas and can’t wait to get back to heaven. Stuck in hell right now, (NM).
HornetSting on November 5, 2008 at 3:57 PM
Manly, true to your word, you left after you lost that stupid bet.
But now it’s time to come back.
fgh on November 5, 2008 at 3:57 PM
This doesn’t work in the real world Allah.
The reason I am completely and totally in love with Sarah Palin is because she ISN’T bipartisan. She’s so much smarter than that. And you know what? PEOPLE RESPOND TO THAT. And that’s going to be increased 10-fold when people see what socialism does to this country.
pinkelephants on November 5, 2008 at 3:58 PM
Holy Cow! People need to only look at which group did turn out and vote (blacks and college kids) and see who didn’t turn out to this election (conservatives) to know that Sarah Palin didn’t hurt the GOP ticket.
Before Sarah was announced as the VP candidate, I had NO intention of voting for McCain. It was only after the announcement of Palin that I stopped campaigning against the GOP. So yes, McCain was NOT conservative enough for me in any sense of the word. McCain told me to go fly a kite when it came to the amnesty issue and let me know what he thought of “We the People” vs “We the Government”.
This was not a historic election when it comes to turn out. The numbers were way down but only on the conservative side.
katablog.com on November 5, 2008 at 4:01 PM
You knuckleheads don’t get it. You destroy each other. We’re not the enemy, the damn libs are.
Proud Conservative on November 5, 2008 at 4:01 PM
I love Sarah and whatever she decides to do –I’m behind her.
I’ll take her over that f&*king racist elected to assuage OUR guilt.
skree on November 5, 2008 at 4:02 PM
Palin gave me far more reason to vote for McCain than McCain did. Too much Bob Dole strategy by McCain for my taste and as a result he and his campaign clipped Palin’s wings while the Lefty old media were smearing her.
Many have forgotten how Reagan showed the steely determination which paved the way for his nomination and election in 1980. Remember when nomination opponent George H.W. Bush was trying the get-along strategy when Ronaldus Magnus famously stated: “I’m paying for this microphone!” People instantly realized that Reagan was a man of action not bi-partisanship. From that determination his greatness was derived.
Palin probably gave McCain a better chance than he deserved. It was her determination and spirit which eventually rubbed off on McCain. Not the other way around.
I still see the reason for the GOP’s recent decline as Frist and Hastert joining the good-old-boys big-spending club by forgetting why the were sent to DC. That, and a pretty much useless Department of Justice inspiring ACORN and other sleaze to be more daring in their techniques.
viking01 on November 5, 2008 at 4:02 PM
It’s not Palin’s fault they lost the election, and argue all you want about McCain running a crappy campaign.
The bottom line is many in our pop-media culture were blinded by the smooth talkin, pop-icon celebrity empty suit Obama with the aid of the MSM, it was flash versus substance and in this case flash won over substance.
While I have a particular dislike for the French (I apologize to any on HA of French background) I reluctantly admit they were right when they said, “American’s are fat and stupid.” The fact our nation elected an empty suited pop icon/celebrity with little or no executive experience in running a government (or small business for that matter) and is extremely weak on foreign affairs in these precarious times tells me too many American’s are stupid and/or were blinded by Obama’s charisma.
IMHO very few that voted for Obama (this includes the complicit media) never seriously look into what Obama stood for (other than repeating “Hope and Change”) nor did they study or truly know his agenda and ideology, or what type of man was behind the suit. For if they had I seriously doubt anyone with a functioning synapse in their brain could have voted for Obama.
Instead all the Obama supporters saw was a smooth talking used car salesman, and what a salesman he is as more Americans voted for him than McCain, of course it always helps a sales pitch when you have an in-the-tank media on you side and opt out of public funding after you gave your word (in writing) to use only public funding!
In time we will all find out about Obama’s true goals, agenda, and ideology, and the man behind the suit, the difference is now it is too late to do anything about it if we don’t like what we see as he is now president elect Obama.
For those on HA that supported and voted for Obama I congratulate you, but keep in mind; now that Obama has successfully been elected he must now put his actions where his rhetoric has been, no longer will the repeating of the “Hope and Change” mantra suffice and we will all soon learn if Obama is a real leader that can truly bring hope and change or instead Obama supporters were hood-winked and bamboozled by an empty suited, pop icon/celebrity, used car salesman of no substance.
As for me I’m betting Obama is the latter, but only the next four years will tell if I’m right or if I’m wrong…but I’d bet the farm I’m not wrong!
Liberty or Death on November 5, 2008 at 4:02 PM
I wrote in Sarah Palin. I live in the People’s Republic of Illinois so it didn’t matter.
That said, 2012 is far off. Who knows what will happen. If Obama over-reaches like he is already attempting to do, like appointing the most far left CoS ever known to man, then he’ll blow it big time and end talk about racism forever. Thankfully since his incompetence will be so on display every day.
Sarah would be fine. She would be wonderful, but being the leader and campaigning full time come 2010 is and would be harder than heck. Jindal will also likely be a person in the mix. I like him too. Very much.
JP1986UM on November 5, 2008 at 4:03 PM
Unlike a lot of idiots, I NEVER bought into the Huckabee stuff. He needs to be taken out and beaten behind the woodshed.
NOW, Romney:
“I’m pro-life, I’m pro-choice, UH, I’ve learned my lesson, I’m pro-life…..”
“I’m against illegal immigration….don’t look at the illegals on my lawn.”
“I’m against nationalized healthcare, just ignore Romneycare in Massachusetts.”
We have better choices out there than Romney, petunia.
And NO, all these differences are what have killed the conservative movement. What the hell are you talking about giving Huckabee a pass? If I could go back to Feb 5 and throttle that fat f*cker, I would. He gave us the Maverick and if there is one thing we all know now, you can’t trust a Maverick.
Get over your summer crush of Romney, petunia. You need to go back and do some soul searching. Are you a conservative or a “moderate”?
We don’t have any use for moderates or republicans in name only anymore.
HornetSting on November 5, 2008 at 4:04 PM
Whoa up on that bipartisanship thing, AP. Let’s go over this again. When Dems run to the right, they win. When Reps run to the left, they lose.
Stop running to the left. Learn the winning lesson that the Democrats have beaten us with in ‘06 and ‘08. They propped up fake conservatives, and beat a bunch of “I’ve brought you some Pork!” Repubs.
Here’s an example. Tom Periello was thought to have NO CHANCE in his Va. race. Our newspapers didn’t run a single story on him. But he had a radio ad that featured the president of a local gun club. He got an NRA endorsement. He painted his opponent as in bed with the banks, and someone who’d gotten rich off the taxpayers. In the end, the voters figured both candidates were good ‘ol boys, so they might as well vote for the (D).
Same with our Gov, Dem. Tim Kaine. Nobody can go to his right on religion. He’s a big outdoorsman. He wins because people think “he sounds like the guys I know. He may not be as conservative as me, but he’s close.”
The Democrats are beating us by posing as us. Folks will still vote for REAL conservatism vs. fake. The problem is that we’ve been running our own fakes vs. theirs.
hawksruleva on November 5, 2008 at 4:04 PM
I say with no reservation that Sarah Palin is the one and only reason I voted for McCain yesterday. I don’t know about my husband (who might have voted for the man out of respect in any case), but she transformed this family from apathetic to pumped about the election. In fact, my poor daughter is heart-broken, and has drawn a nice picture to send up to Alaska as soon as I get the address. And the weather down here in VB is perfect for our moods – gloomy, wet, and miserable.
I do not want Sarah to go away, I do not want her to embrace bipartisanship, but I do want her to continue to be herself. She has a place in our political future, you just wait and see.
Anna on November 5, 2008 at 4:04 PM
I’m not always sure what the people want, but how do we explain the “people’s” view of Palin vs. Biden? By his words he demonstrated that he was less prepared, less prudent, less competent, and with his own special regional dialect, appeared less intelligent.
Palin was chosen to complement McCain’s new message of “Change and Reform”. In this arena she is uniquely qualified and competent. Compare her record with Obama’s. So, don’t underestimate the power of the media to convince the “people”. Remember, during the primaries it was Biden who talked about experience, while both Clinton and Obama had no real accomplishments or experience to speak of. Clinton associated herself with McCain, derided Obama for his “just words and speeches”, the media broadcast it and polls showed the “people” bought the argument hook, line and sinker.
Having said that, I would agree that some notion of a “hard core” base of the GoP isn’t enough to win an election, but Reagan proved that the “hard core” base of American Conservatism most certainly is, as it transcends party.
littleguy on November 5, 2008 at 4:05 PM
We all probably need some distance from this election to have any real perspective on what is next. I liked Sarah, but she really wasn’t ready to be thrust into the middle of such a contest.
And maybe Michelle Obama thinks America is a “down right mean country” because she is surrounded by Democrats. Michelle is right Dems are mean. So mean! I hope Sarah can rehabilitate but you know she doesn’t really have the money to do it on her own.
petunia on November 5, 2008 at 4:05 PM
Never concentrate on the center; the center in this country is now considerably to the left of where it was circa 1910. It has to be moved to where it was circa 1810.
As Reagan understood, move the center towards you — by always speaking the truth and showing how good ideas help individuals achieve freedom and prosperity.
JDPerren on November 5, 2008 at 4:06 PM
thecountofincognito on November 5, 2008 at 4:06 PM
Plenty of blacks and college kids voted for Reagan. She ruined any chance that McCain had of appealing to the Reagan Democrats. If she’s so great with average, working-class people than why why did McCain get blown out in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Virginia? Whoever said 2012 would be worse with her as the nominee is right. It would be 1972, 1984 in reverse.
alex342 on November 5, 2008 at 4:07 PM
The only reason I voted for McCain was due to Palin. And I’m not just saying that. I was voting for Bob Barr until the pick just for the hell of it.
Let’s look at this way. Why did McCain lose votes? What is really because of Palin or could have been…
-Bush’s approval ratings at Nixonian levels
-8 years of government expansion
-A horrendously run campaign
-Financial Crisis- response: let’s suspend the campaign, sit in on a meeting and do nothing, wait I’m going to the debate.
-Supporting the bailout
-Failure to talk about economics coherently until Joe the Plumber came along
Considering all of this, I’m amazed Obama didn’t win the popular vote by 15%.
V15J on November 5, 2008 at 4:07 PM
I think Allah’s analysis of her appeal and her future is right on the mark. His reference to his own Eeyorish post on her selection is bad form, though.
Princess Sarah will have work to do to recover credibility even among conservatives who know abso-effing-lutely nothing about anything, and yet position themselves as intellectual critics of her. No one said life is fair.
But she is much smarter than – ahem! – most give her credit for, and she will do it, if she sees value in staying Nationwide. Governor is definitely the way to go, but I suspect that she’ll remain #2 on the ticket next time around.
Jaibones on November 5, 2008 at 4:07 PM
HornetSting on November 5, 2008 at 4:04 PM
Where’d you get that first pro-life from? His mom was a pro-choice advocate.
thecountofincognito on November 5, 2008 at 4:08 PM
I’m with you on that!
JonPrichard on November 5, 2008 at 4:09 PM
Bipartisanship = compromise TO their side = death.
Stay RIGHT, Sara !!
pambi on November 5, 2008 at 4:09 PM
“The ‘Cuda has the base in her pocket…Since there’s nothing she can do to alienate them, forget about them and concentrate on the center”
Might not be a good idea. I think the base is a little tired of being ignored at this point.
kcewa on November 5, 2008 at 4:10 PM
Gov Palin was the best thing that happened to McCain’s campaign. She came in when even senior repubs were reluctant to share the stage with him, and the dems cared 2 hoots about his bipartisan record.
Here is an inside look
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKKG5BIaODw
macncheez on November 5, 2008 at 4:11 PM
Monee? I’m in Flossmoor…Howdy neighbor.
Jaibones on November 5, 2008 at 4:13 PM
Palin is terrific – I’d vote for her again. Huckabee is a cancer – his teaming up with McCain to spur Romney was disgusting behavior. Why do people support him?
We have some RINO pundits that I’d to punch – Parker, Frum, Noonan, etc. The “high brow” wing of the party can go stuff it as far as I am concerned – they bring unenthusasic candidates that nobody cares about.
I agree with the bold colors with a touch of libertarianism is what is needed not RINOism.
winged on November 5, 2008 at 4:14 PM
The role of a VP selection is to bring in something without hurting in other areas. Palin brought in the base. It was Mccain’s job to bring in the independents and moderates which he lost by a 2-1 margin. No VP pick can fill all holes. Maybe Reagan could have as Ford’s VP but then he would have belonged at the top of the ticket.
As for those who say Palin isn’t experienced enough – she will be in four years.
JonPrichard on November 5, 2008 at 4:14 PM
She’s done. McCain aides have been sniping at her for a while, and they’ll lay blame on her. The public will believe them because they perceive her to be a moron. Look somewhere else for a new leader.
Big S on November 5, 2008 at 4:14 PM
I’ve been listening to you say this all day. Was Reagan a moderate or a conservative?
Your view of the Republican party is so narrow that you should be a Ron Paul supporter. There are more ways than one to be conservative. I think everyone in the Republican party is conservative but more so on some issues than others.
My guess is that someone like Rush say, would put fiscal and foreign policy conservativism ahead of his social conservativism. After all in his own life Rush hasn’t been the the best example of conservatism.
And Sarah Palin certainly made some comprimises on Fiscal conservatism over her social conservatism. Ie. earmarks and taxing the oil companies…
Everyone has to prioritize.
I’m not sure how you can say Romney is not conservative when all he did was look at the reality of running in Mass and decide it was better to pursue a more conservative course than completely cave into the prevailing liberalism of Mass. Romney is as conservative as you are. He just lived in a different place and had to make due with the world as he found it. If he hadn’t he couldn’t make any difference at all.
Sitting around saying that’s not conservative enough is not getting us anywhere. We don’t live in a world that will accept that.
petunia on November 5, 2008 at 4:15 PM
Honestly I think McCain and Palin suited each other in many ways. It is a shame that they did not win, but I don’t think that is her fault, or even his, the circumstances were just wrong for a win.
I think Palin can has a future if she wants it and I would not pay too much attention to any media stuff about her and McCain.
Terrye on November 5, 2008 at 4:15 PM
I’m all set to actively campaign against Romney if he runs again. He either tells his staff to knock off the dirty tricks, of he’s toast.
My advise to Gov. Palin is: IGNORE EVERYTHING ALLAHPUNDIT TELLS YOU. HE DOES NOT HAVE YOUR BEST INTEREST AT HEART.
Blake on November 5, 2008 at 4:15 PM
???? The confusion continues. Petunia is a fan, though.
HornetSting on November 5, 2008 at 4:16 PM
One more example of how moving to the center doesn’t help. What did our current President, God bless his soul, get for trying to engender a new era of bipartisanship?
George Bush oversaw the creation of No Child Left Behind. Now the Feds control schools. Medicare Part D. And he tried for a middle-of-the road immigration plan. And a $700B bailout.
What credit does he get from “moderates”? Stony silence at best. What cooperation does he get from Democrats? I guess they’d help him burn his own effigy.
And how did his actions help his side? Did we jump to his defense? Not on the issues where he left us.
Move to the middle of the road, you just have to dodge traffic from both sides.
Reagan didn’t move left, or even to the center. He moved the country TO HIM. Heck – McCain’s surprise guest, JoeP, moved the needle in McCain’s favor – how? By expressing a Conservative value.
Imagine the moderate Joe the Plumber:
“well, I don’ want to be seen as harsh. I guess if you want to spread some of my wealth, that’ll be ok…”
Yeah, real winner that would be.
hawksruleva on November 5, 2008 at 4:16 PM
Don’t let the few reprobates pulling the strings in GOP corrupt you Sarah. I see they already wanna pull you to the center. “Ah yes, our plans are starting to take shape (gleefully rubbing their hands). It’s only a matter of time.” This is no different than a pimp stealing the innocence from a young woman only in this case they aren’t using drugs and whoredom to lure you, but self-serving lies and manipulation. They’re trying to corrupt you Sarah as they themselves have become corrupted. They say you should move to the center. Tell them to get lost. Looking to the future, a large majority of Republicans say the party needs to “move more to the right and back to conservative principles.” That’s why you were drawing such HUGE crowds across the country! So ignore the reprobates Sarah, as they will only lead the Republican party to disaster – and beyond disaster, to irrelevance.
apacalyps on November 5, 2008 at 4:18 PM
AMEN. We don’t want to be ignored. Reagan didn’t ignore us, and that’s the mistake the GOP has made repeatedly. I’m sick of us pretending to be moderate.
Screw populism.
pinkelephants on November 5, 2008 at 4:18 PM
Sarah and Alaska has suffered due to the MSM and retarded people across the Nation.
Don’t fret, Alaska will only benefit from Sarah’s run.
The MSM has zero interest in Alaska and the attention span of a flea. They will will not be focused on Sarah except on her terms, she can now control her own image w/out interference from the McCainites.
kcewa on November 5, 2008 at 4:19 PM
JonPrichard on November 5, 2008 at 4:14 PM
Normally that might be the case; certainly with Dan Quayle it was. However, McCain was the oldest man ever to run for president and it is right for voters to care that the person who might have become CINC if he fell ill or died would be prepared. The polls indicate she drove more voters away from the ticket than she brought in. If she’s better prepared in four years, great, but my guess is she’s already done irreparable damage to herself.
alex342 on November 5, 2008 at 4:20 PM
Why did John Murtha blow out Bill Russell, even after slandering the troops, and calling us in W-PA racists and red-necks? Why didn’t Obama blow McCain away by 20+ points in PA? Palin? Please.
littleguy on November 5, 2008 at 4:20 PM
petunia:
That is true. Romney was in Mass, just like Arnold is in California and neither of those states would elect someone that would be considered a conservative by most purists.
I do think there are obvious differences. Just look at the reaction to Rudy from social conservatives. But Rudy had to win elections in NYC. And there are all sorts of conservatives who would swear that Huckabee is not a conservative, but I know people here in rural Indiana who loved the guy. Who gets to decide who is and is not pure enough?
And Reagan was not a purist. He believed that government was the problem, not the solution. But he made compromises if he had to. He did not tell people how to live or what to believe. I can remember deficits and tax hikes when Reagan was in office. But he stood up to the Commies and to some people that right there was enough to make him a conservative.
Terrye on November 5, 2008 at 4:21 PM
and others…
You still don’t get it, he was a paid poster to come on and rally the troops…his bet was if McCain lost he would not post, but of course if he won then ManlyRash would have said his job was done and he is moving on.
The other side had posters here that were paid to disrupt HotAir, he was hired to counter that.
Welcome to the internet wars…
right2bright on November 5, 2008 at 4:21 PM
Two more arguments that McCain should not have picked Palin.
Evangelicals and Catholics swung to Obama more than they had to Kerry.
http://blogs.wsj.com/politicalperceptions/2008/11/05/how-obama-lured-millions-of-religious-voters/
McCain was closer to Obama on the day he announced Palin (8/29) than on the day the polls closed. Check out the polling data.
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/us/general_election_mccain_vs_obama-225.html#polls
Again, I think Sarah Palin is terrific. She is just not national ticket material, and McCain did a disservice to her by asking her to perform at that level. In fact, she did far better than I thought, it was a tough battle, and Palin did not make any major errors herself. It’s just that the nation was not ready for a woman. It was ready for a black man.
indythinker on November 5, 2008 at 4:23 PM
littleguy on November 5, 2008 at 4:20 PM
Sorry, I don’t follow.
alex342 on November 5, 2008 at 4:24 PM
JonPrichard on November 5, 2008 at 4:09 PM
Roger that!
Straight/strict conservatism will always win the day, if we stick with the basics. Re: Jindal, Palin et al. Reaching across the aisle in a spirit of bipartisanship never ever works. The other side always considers it a sign of weakness. Period. Let’s remember this lesson next time around.
rtsidedragon on November 5, 2008 at 4:25 PM
hawksruleva:
I think that moving to the center is needed sometimes. It depends on the issue and the circumstances.
For instance, Bush was very strong on culture of life issues. He did not move to the center at all on something like that. He did not do a lot moving to the center on most foreign policy issues either.
But when it comes to domestic policy, sometimes a certain amount of flexibility is necessary.
For instance Reagan promised to shut down the Dept. of Education. He never did. There was just no way politically to do it, so he had to back off of it.
Terrye on November 5, 2008 at 4:26 PM
Allah hasn’t learned anything from this election, but has the GOP? The base drives your volunteer force and your fund raising. The base may not numerically swing the election but you’re going to have a difficult time campaigning without them. How much money did McCain raise in comparison to 2004, or how about his get out the vote effort? Second why is amnesty even an issue, when it is fact that enforcement and self deportation is actually working.
DFCtomm on November 5, 2008 at 4:26 PM
Damnit! I miss her already. *snif*
ronsfi on November 5, 2008 at 4:26 PM
To emphasize the point, there are now 19 million (or more) cracks in the glass ceiling for women, but the glass ceiling is still there.
indythinker on November 5, 2008 at 4:27 PM
Alex342 wrote: People want prudent, competent and intelligent leaders.
And thus, Obama and Biden? It is to laugh (under normal circumstances).
L.N. Smithee on November 5, 2008 at 4:28 PM
rtsidedragon:
That is simply not true. If you are going to govern and if you have to deal with members of the other political party because the voters put them there, then you have to reach across the aisle sometimes. Sarah Palin could not have accomplished what she did as Governor of Alaska if she had not been willing to do that on occasion.
And btw, if a party only appeals to a small fraction of the electorate, it will not have enough power or authority to govern at all. If you want pure, there is the Green Party and Libertarian party and when was the last time either one of them set an agenda?
Terrye on November 5, 2008 at 4:29 PM
alex342 – Its simple, because McCain didn’t win PA doesn’t mean Palin hurt him here. Did she hurt Russell, too?
littleguy on November 5, 2008 at 4:29 PM
Reagan was a conservative whose governing priorities (win the cold war, cut taxes) coincided with those of moderates who were sick of the drag of the depressing Carter years, Watergate, Vietnam, etc. The difference now is that the “conservative base” of the Republican party is no longer aligned with the priorities of moderates. Until conservative Republicans can figure out what moderates want and find a way to deliver it, they will be in the minority in government. The alternative is waiting around until moderates change their minds about that they want.
Big S on November 5, 2008 at 4:29 PM
PUMAs were real. Republicans were the ghosts this year. 40% lower turnout. C’mon! Anyone that blames PUMA is delusional. Over 7 million votes short in the final count! Republicans needed to be within 3 to 6 million for PUMA to make a difference (which everyone thought Republicans could do). Republicans weren’t even close.
And you don’t even know what you gained for the future. Hardcore Democrats that before this year would never have dreamt of voting Republican. Blame them if you wish. Exit polls indicated a minimum of 3 million PUMAs voted though it was probably closer to 5 million considering how close some states ended up being.
CO and NM went Blue because of hispanics. Whatever else happened, McCain had no chance here without their vote. So if you want to look as to why McCain lost, find out why hispanics did not vote for him. The rest is irrelevant.
MrX on November 5, 2008 at 4:30 PM
Big S:
Reagan made conservatism seem rational to moderates, not draconian or scary for too rigid. Of course the times were different.
Terrye on November 5, 2008 at 4:30 PM
What Republican president drew the largest number of Democrats and independent voters? It was Reagan, but did he do it by moving left? No he did it by going right and they loved it up.
DFCtomm on November 5, 2008 at 4:31 PM
There is no confusion, Hornet; Romney is a moderate conservative, not a crazy exclusionary conservative. There is absolutely nothing wrong with having a wide range of ‘conservative’ viewpoints in the party, in fact it is essential. In order to gain power, you have to appeal to a wide range of voters, and the hard right just doesn’t have the horsepower.
This is a political movement, not a religious conclave, and sending out a new ‘Inquisition’, following your exclusionary vision, would curse the GOP and conservative causes to be a footnote in history.
trailboss on November 5, 2008 at 4:31 PM
The Anchorage Daily News is reporting that Sarah’s office is getting tons of interview requests ranging from Barbara Walters “10 Most Fascinating” to spending a day with Matt Lauer. She’s also got a request from Newsweek, and considering that it’s Newsweek that’s got the big report on the campaign post-mortem I’d avoid them like the plague. I said it earlier, but I really do think she should ignore the national press for a while. They helped create the negative narrative about her so I say screw ‘em.
I think she’d be best served by focusing her immediate attention and interviews on Alaskan news outlets. She needs to first and foremost repair any ill feelings in her home state so that she can govern effectively for the next two years (and I hope a second term as well). Then next year, after things have cooled down and all the sniping has stopped (Including the rest of the hits on the wardrobe thing, cause you know there are more coming after the RNC completes the audit of the campaign.), ease very slowly back into national interviews. I’d start with newspapers, and insist that the interviews be Alaska issue based (Alaska’s desire to work with Obama on bringing oil and gas to market, for example), or special needs children based and not campaign post-mortems. I feel sure that she knows that McCain’s aides are going to throw her under the bus and back over her a few times for good measure. Just staying classy and staying above all the backstabbing and sniping really does help in the long run I think.
meltenn on November 5, 2008 at 4:31 PM
Seriously, who among those available was better? AND if you had read fully, my point was that I voted for the Fair Tax. My point is I voted on the issue that was the most important to me since I personally did not find any of this election’s candidates particularly inspiring – until Sarah. If it had not been for her, I would not have even voted for McCain.
Kamikaze on November 5, 2008 at 4:31 PM
And there you have it, the 2008 election neatly summed up: insanity vs. inanity.
Snowed In on November 5, 2008 at 4:32 PM
I think the economy drove this election, that… and people more often than not want a change after 8 years.
Terrye on November 5, 2008 at 4:32 PM
You know I think Reagan was a lot more like McCain than you realize. By Gingrich standards he was pretty moderate. Gay rights was really shocking back then. Now people don’t react the same way. And positions on abortion have moderated some on both sides. For many it is barely an issue. Those issues felt threatening back then. And they were and are but people have changed.
Reagan had the advantage of the government being obviously too big. It was easier to build consensus after the Carter years. Even Clinton had to agree with welfare reform. Those things worked and now I’m not sure the same principles will apply in today’s world. The problem isn’t too many on welfare anymore. It is sending jobs overseas and real income deceasing as the world becomes more modern.
I’m just not sure we have come up with really really good answers for today’s problems. And they aren’t going to be the same answers to the problems of the Carter years. I actually think Romney had the best handle on solutions to today’s problems. But he probably didn’t have the personality to get the job done.
The war on terrorism has made the country in the mood for change in the same way the Carter administration did. We are war weary. You know Churhill lost after he won WWII. People just get tired of war. But unless the party has answers to the right questions we can’t win.
petunia on November 5, 2008 at 4:33 PM
L.N. Smithee on November 5, 2008 at 4:28 PM
Alright, some people want that, or should want it. But, honestly, why are Bush’s numbers so low? Because the public now believes him incompetent. Whatever else Obama is, he isn’t stupid and at leaves gives the impression of being thoughtful and discerning. If his governance proves otherwise, his numbers will drop like a stone. Yes, Biden is a fool but Obama is also a healthy young man and no-one expects Biden to be president.
alex342 on November 5, 2008 at 4:34 PM
3. Embrace bipartisanship… Since there’s nothing she can do to alienate them, forget about them and concentrate on the center.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Heck yeah, AP, abandoning conservative principles sure has worked well for the Republican Party in the last two elections, hasn’t it?
fabrexe on November 5, 2008 at 4:34 PM
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