AP: Palinmania may stop Romney from running in 2012
posted at 2:00 pm on November 14, 2008 by Allahpundit
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Eh. If there’s any truth to it, I’d say Ambinder is a lot closer to the real reason than the AP is.
The surprising ascendancy of McCain’s eventual pick, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, and her popularity among some GOP conservatives have left Romney wondering whether he could wage a viable second campaign for the White House, according to friends and advisers…
“While (Palin) may not be popular with the winning majority that Barack Obama put together, she’s enormously popular with the losing minority that John McCain put together — and that pretty closely mirrors Republican primary voters,” said Rich Bond, former chairman of the Republican National Committee.
Charley Manning, a Massachusetts Republican operative who has worked as a Romney adviser, recently told a local radio interviewer: “I’d be surprised if Mitt ever ran again for president. I sure don’t think it was the best experience of his life.”
Taking on the ‘Cuda is a fool’s errand only if two things occur: (1) the economy recovers, leaving Mitt without an obvious argument for why the base should prefer him to her, and (2) Huckabee doesn’t run, thereby ceding social cons to Palin. Number one is obviously more important than number two since a sustained crisis would give the GOP a shot at the White House; absent that, I’m not sure why any Republican would want to run in 2012, especially a guy like Mitt who had to eat a ton of campaign debt this year and would probably end up on the hook for a ton more trying to take down The One’s money machine.
For a guy who’s supposedly sour on the idea, though, he sure seems to be making the right moves:
Now the onetime front-runner for the Republican nomination is schmoozing influential party insiders on the National Review’s annual cruise — a gathering of 700 conservative activists and the same forum where Palin wowed the movement’s media elite last year, beginning her meteoric rise from obscure governor to vice presidential nominee.
But even as Romney publicly declares he has no intentions to run again, several former aides said they believe he will, and this week’s get-together with leading conservatives is only the latest sign the man who spent more than $50 million of his own money to vie for the party’s nomination last year is itching to do it again…
Romney also has maintained close relationships with key supporters in the early voting states of Iowa and New Hampshire, according to party officials there, and could easily revive the infrastructure he built should he launch another bid.
A free-for-all for the nomination between him, Huck, and Palin would be fascinating insofar as it would leave Mitt open to tack gently away from the culture warrior persona he cultivated last year and be more of the technocrat he seems better suited to being. He could never challenge either of them for the love of evangelicals, so why try? I never really understood his stress on social conservatism anyway, except as a form of gross overcompensation for his previous heresies on abortion. Anyone can say “life begins at conception,” but how many people can organize the Olympics?
Almost as fascinating, but in a distinctly darker way, will be seeing who emerges as the nominee if Obama’s first term is successful. Who’s old enough and ambitious enough that they wouldn’t mind the agony of a longest-of-long-shots campaign for the presidency? The only obvious person is Newt. Exit question: Er, who’s going to be the “national security candidate” next time? Is there anyone in the party’s top tier at this point with notable credentials in that area?
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Four years to heat, hammer and forge the party. Bring the temp to glowing white, hammer all impurities out, quench in the sweet oil of Conservatism.
Benjamin9 on November 14, 2008 at 2:32 PM
It depends on what kind of recovery we’re talking about. Hell, the 1992 economy was technically in recovery, but that didn’t stop Clinton and his cohorts from labeling it as “the worst economy in 40 years” and costing Bush 41 reelection.
If the economy in 2012 still stinks(it doesn’t have to be in a recession for people to be hurting) and the job losses from Obama’s 4 years outnumber new jobs created, the GOP has no excuse for not running their best candidate out there to take him on.
Doughboy on November 14, 2008 at 2:32 PM
Like Palin hasn’t accomplished ethics reform?!! She not only cut taxes, she negotiated higher taxes on the oil companies during a year of record profits and put $5 billion surplus into the state treasury, as well as cutting dividends checks for her constituents. Before anyone says SOCIALISM, the system was set up 30 years ago and is in accordance with the state’s constitution. The only state not in a recession now, according to Moody’s, is Alaska. She runs the largest state budget in the US.
It would have been nice if Jindal had pointed out how our governors work together during emergencies like hurricanes. Palin sent the Alaskan National Guard to Louisiana during Gustav, and she and Gov. Jindal discussed the details of it on the phone. Seeing as how Jindal wants to appear on TV so much these days, it would have been nice if he had done it while the discussion raged about what governors really do.
Jindal not wanting to run with McCain against Obama, so he could run again in 2012 after McCain lost doesn’t sit well with me, either. I think being a team player is a quality conspicuously absent from the Republican party these days. Sarah Palin has that instinct in abundance, but they sure try to tear her down in the media. Reporting on Sarah Palin is inversely proportionate to that done on Barack Obama.
Here’s my 2 cents on Jindal: he’s boring, he’s calculating, he’s ugly as a mudfish, and we’ll never hear the end of the exorcism story. Sarah Palin has been vetted and can do a lot in the next four years to appeal more to Independents. She already succeeded in attracting a certain number of women and gays from the Democratic party. Bobby Jindal will have to top that.
chunderroad on November 14, 2008 at 2:33 PM
There’s this guy who just got promoted to run CENTCOM…
BadgerHawk on November 14, 2008 at 2:33 PM
We lost because 8 million Bush voters would not go to the polls for McCain.
Vashta.Nerada on November 14, 2008 at 2:34 PM
So,SarahCuda is becoming the political
leader of the pack,and has some of the
Republican’s in the party on the run!!
Sweet!:)
canopfor on November 14, 2008 at 2:34 PM
Are you nuts? After that couch scene with Pelosi Gingrich forfeited any right. He believes in that fairy tale of gloabl warming
bill30097 on November 14, 2008 at 2:34 PM
damaged goods don’t have 91% approval ratings in the party
do you people even follow this stuff or do you just make it up as you go along?
joey24007 on November 14, 2008 at 2:35 PM
That guy would be run out of town on a rail as a RINO. He is a New Hampshire, moderate Republican.
Squid Shark on November 14, 2008 at 2:36 PM
And because of Obama’s ground game and fundraising ability. But you’re mainly right.
BadgerHawk on November 14, 2008 at 2:36 PM
Ummmmm How do you figure?
Squid Shark on November 14, 2008 at 2:37 PM
I think this economy is tailor made for Mitt Romney. His business experience will be preferable after Jimmy Carter’s second term. And truth be told alot of people in the party think/feel Palin leap frogged the process and is just a vapid Obama like symbol. Right or wrong Palin should wait for her kids to grow up a little and remain a succesful governor. Get the natural gas pipeline built then take down Begich in the Senate. Then she can run for President and stomp on the left.
Theworldisnotenough on November 14, 2008 at 2:37 PM
If you would bail out on a fight that is four years down the pike (I realize there will be almost two years of campaigning, “groan”) then you aren’t made of the stuff it takes to be CIC anyway. I am not ruling anyone out.
Cindy Munford on November 14, 2008 at 2:37 PM
I was thinking of VP, should have clarified. That would pretty much cover the national security stuff, being the guy that won the Iraq war and all. We’ll see if he gets Afghanistan turned around.
BadgerHawk on November 14, 2008 at 2:37 PM
91% from exit polling, which does not include the millions of conservatives that stayed home on election day. Hmmm.
Vashta.Nerada on November 14, 2008 at 2:38 PM
I like you! Keep up the good work.
Buford Gooch on November 14, 2008 at 2:38 PM
Oh yeah, the NRO people did Palin a whole lot of favors this election cycle for all her having “wowed” them last year while they were all up in Alaska, on a boat, drunk and reveling in their own RINO superiority.
And really, I would not call Rich Lowry, Ramesh Ponnuru and Byron York the “movement’s media elite.” At least not the conservative movement. They are all living off Bill Buckley’s ideas and accomplishments.
At least Bill Kristol’s magazine is his own.
BigD on November 14, 2008 at 2:38 PM
Either she did it all or she didn’t..and she didn’t. As for the ethics reform, that too is debatable..Jindal took on a machine comparable to Tammany Hall and Chicago…He has a long way to go, but he has made progress..
Pam on November 14, 2008 at 2:38 PM
Sadly, I agree. He described himself as a Rockefeller Republican. Which is a shame, since he’s the best leader we have in the US. However, if somehow he becomes a libertarian…damn, what a candidate!
lodge on November 14, 2008 at 2:38 PM
Bush did well among independents and Hispanics, that is the reason for our loss, not McCain not being “conservative enough”
Squid Shark on November 14, 2008 at 2:38 PM
The 5 to 1 spending advantage and the army of college aged volunteers. Republicans used to dominate the GOTV efforts.
BadgerHawk on November 14, 2008 at 2:39 PM
I don’t know …might have had something to do with the dude on the top of the ticket
just a guess
joey24007 on November 14, 2008 at 2:39 PM
I think he is, New Hampshirites normally are.
Squid Shark on November 14, 2008 at 2:39 PM
It’s a 1998 interview with Sarah as Mayor of Wasilla.
Thanks Palinpuma, I had not seen that before.
Brat on November 14, 2008 at 2:40 PM
DAMN! That’s one HAWT 34-year-old Mayor. Aye Chihuahua… er, Aye Slush dog!
Editor on November 14, 2008 at 2:40 PM
I guess that is something bradonzill doesn’t seem to “understand”.
upinak on November 14, 2008 at 2:29 PM
Aye…That’s why I refuse to buy into this notion that this woman is stupid or something else more nefarious. The way she has made her way through life and politics say to me that this is a capable human with amazing political instincts.
For that I am willing to give her a chance. Having less then a few days to prepare and then being thrust head first into the national stage and still managing to bring something to the table was remarkable to me. In the end John McCain losing was the best thing for the party and for the Cuda…If we Conservatives and the ‘Cuda herself can take full advantage of this that is.
While I am not a fan or a believer of identity politics I think it is important that we contribute and promote our women and minorities to the forefront of national politics if they qualify (because I don’t believe in affirmative action) because those things matter to the public as a whole.
Dritanian on November 14, 2008 at 2:40 PM
That’s only part of it. Evan one might ask what we do to increase the numbers of hispanic voters that are going to be more and more importnat in the years to come.
Anyway, what about the fact that Obama outspent McCain 5-1?
And I can’t help myself by saying that if they didn’t have stomach for McCain I hope they’ll have enough stomach to digest Obama’s administration.
clemycali on November 14, 2008 at 2:40 PM
I’m sure it did, but if you exclude that many conservatives in an exit poll, the data is skewed.
Vashta.Nerada on November 14, 2008 at 2:41 PM
We’re just off a two-years, and the longest, presidential run.
Now we’ll have a 4-years one?
We’re so doomed. Nothing will ever get done. It s/b forbidden to campaign non-stop. The country deserves better.
Schadenfreude on November 14, 2008 at 2:41 PM
I think Obama’s going to be a one-termer, much like Jimmy Carter. Most economists seem to believe that the economy is not even close to the bottom yet; we’re going further south, and it’s going to take a long, long time to turn things around.
Obama and all his idiot Dim re-treads from the Clinton administration are probably going to make things worse with their dumb-a$$ policies. (I read an article that claims Obama has ordered aides to read books on what FDR did in his first 100 days, so Obama can take similar actions. Economists estimate that FDR’s foolish policies prolonged the Depression by as many as 7 years — but this is the president Obama wants to emulate!).
AZCoyote on November 14, 2008 at 2:42 PM
Ethics Reform is meaningless. The crooks will always find ways to get around them. Besides, since Alaska is mostly Republican, all it does is make her own party look bad because she had to reform them in the first place.
Speedwagon82 on November 14, 2008 at 2:42 PM
I love the ‘Cuda, but it wouldn’t hurt her any to answer questions a bit more concisely too. She does talk in circles sometimes.
I’m personally willing to take the word of the men who briefed her on policy, and a democrat (shudder) who spent time with her that she’s smart, learns quickly, and has an almost photographic memory. The ‘Cuda’s main problems seemed to stem from the fact that she didn’t have enough prep time, and that overall she apparently had a pretty terrible staff working for her. When she was first mentioned on the vp list over the summer they could have sent Biegun up to Alaska to see where she stood on foreign policy (which anyone would expect to be a weakness in a first term governor), and started prepping her then. But, like most things with Schmidt, there was apparently no forethought.
I do think the media is going to spin Obama into a success no matter what happens. So, I hope both Palin and Jindal think about 2016 instead of 2012. They’re both young enough to wait it out. I nominate Newt and Bill Frist as the sacrificial elephants for 2012.
meltenn on November 14, 2008 at 2:42 PM
Hey now … hotness
joey24007 on November 14, 2008 at 2:43 PM
Voters are patient. They feel that the president does not have a huge impact on their lives. If you run a liberal republican against a liberal dem, the voters will elect the dem, so they can have a real choice next election. This has happened too many times to be a coincidence – I think it is a behavioral pattern.
Vashta.Nerada on November 14, 2008 at 2:43 PM
Good point. But I also don’t believe that Presidents have this magic influence over the economy that most people seem to thing they have. When people say “Bush did a terrible job running the economy”, it makes me laugh. The economy doesn’t get “run” by anybody. Equally, the economy may improve enough in 2-3 years, despite the One’s bad policies, so that it looks like he “ran it well.”
KeepOhioRed on November 14, 2008 at 2:43 PM
Palin, Jindal and Romney are all pretty good candidates. Palin is by far the best national politicial, but she needs to study up on policy and rehabillitate her reputation outside of the base. Jindal will still be really young in 2012 – hell, he’ll still be young in 2016. Romney needs to decide who he is and then establish a serious base of support within the party – either Jindal or Palin would make a good running mate for Romney. Whether any of them want to run in 2012 will depend on how well Obama is doing – they may want to wait for 2016 – it’s not a 70+ year old Biden will be in a position to “inherit” the presidency.
holdfast on November 14, 2008 at 2:45 PM
So she takes on corruption in her own party
while most people, like Obama, go along with the corruption to move up in the party
sounds like a quality she has that we should appreciate
joey24007 on November 14, 2008 at 2:47 PM
I think voters were sick and tiered of George Bush. Fair or unfair. So a lot of the independents that voted for Bush didn’t vote or voted for Obama. The same with the hispanics. The fact that McCain was too liberal or too conservative had no relevance for them.
clemycali on November 14, 2008 at 2:47 PM
I thought I heard some Robert Palmer tunes in the background
joey24007 on November 14, 2008 at 2:48 PM
The constitution doesn’t say President’s run the economy, but that’s the way it is today, and certainly in the last 2 months. The Treasury Secretary is gonna get complete power.
And by power I mean the power to resist all the free market forces which are trying to correct the imbalances and bring on the cleansing recession. I mean seriously, do these guys think home prices will increase forever? That we can build starbucks on every corner forever?
lodge on November 14, 2008 at 2:48 PM
THANK YOU. I’m unimpressed with Pawlenty. I want Palin and Jindal both to go national, but I realllly don’t want either one of them to lose 2012 and hinder or kill any future opportunities… they’re too good and too young to be destroyed by the Obama machine.
pinkelephants on November 14, 2008 at 2:49 PM
I would like you to prove that… and not via Bill.
I think you are walking on seriously THIN ice.
upinak on November 14, 2008 at 2:49 PM
I agree to an extent, but a President(aided by Congress) with bad policies can negatively impact the economy. If Obama and the Dems raise taxes, institute the cap-and-trade nonsense, and bail out every company and state with its hand out, we’ll be looking at Great Depression Part II.
Everyone keeps predicting Obama will have a successful first term because he’ll move to the center. What in his(or Pelosi or Reid’s) record indicates this will happen? Hell, I hope he becomes a centrist when he’s President. If he does that, even I’ll campaign for the dude in 4 years. But I’m too much a realist to believe that’s a possibility.
Doughboy on November 14, 2008 at 2:50 PM
Hey, I am not just a fan of Palin. I am living via her Gov up here.
Trust me, she has not faultered. Has done EVERYTHING she has said and will accomplish more as time moves on.
upinak on November 14, 2008 at 2:51 PM
I have looked very carefully at the numbers. Dems got the Kerry base, adjusted for population growth, plus maybe 1.5 million new votes from minorities. McCain lost somewhere around 10% of the base – they did not cross over, they stayed home. This is why the turnout numbers look the way they do. It was not people deciding they want democrats, it was traditional republican voters not willing to vote for McCain, and staying home instead.
Vashta.Nerada on November 14, 2008 at 2:51 PM
Thats ridiculous. Doing ethics reform on the other parties political machine is nice and all and I like that Jindal did this so don’t get me wrong. But Jindal needed Hurricane Katrina before the voters would give a republican a chane. In other words he needed something that devasting!
Alaska’s Republican Machine is just as impressive as Chicago’s and Palin took them on by herself with out any extreme circumstances or events for the electorate to believe in her. She simply refuse to go along. She saw the mess and did what she had to do. Thats like Obama going after the Chicago Machine as a young politician in Chicago.
Look I like Jindal and I think his future is bright but don’t disparage what Palin has done to make him look good.
Dritanian on November 14, 2008 at 2:53 PM
Dec. 15th is the Electoral College vote. Obama can pretend all he wants. And the fact that the Supreme Court is going to be involved in the “Birth Certifercate” action soon.http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=80710
Who knows what could happen. Weirder things have happened.
upinak on November 14, 2008 at 2:54 PM
What.
the.
hell.
joey24007 on November 14, 2008 at 2:56 PM
Just a reminder Obama never did anything with Chicago’s Daleys’ Machine incase I was being unclear.
Dritanian on November 14, 2008 at 2:56 PM
What can I say. I hope these voters are going to be very happy under Obama’s administration. And the new 1,5 milions votes from minoritites are evan more worriyng for me. Because they can turn not only NV, NM and CO blue forever but they can make AZ and Texas purple states too. Beating the drum over the fact that the base was not happy with McCain is not helpfull. We are stuck into a debate with no end and without solution. What we do to bring these people to vote, how are we going to match the Obama grass roots machine, how are we going to bring more independents and minorities to vote republican and how we can craft the message? The fact that Romney or Jindal or Pawlenty or whoever is better suited to battle Obama in 2012 has no meaning right now.
clemycali on November 14, 2008 at 2:58 PM
That could be interesting, since he has already resigned his senate seat. My research into the numbers actually makes me feel better, because it confirms what I feel – the voters are ready and willing to elect conservatives who embody economic, social and military conservatism. All we have to do is find and fund candidates.
Vashta.Nerada on November 14, 2008 at 2:58 PM
Resigning his Senate seat must have been a hard task … I mean he was able to do so much work there
joey24007 on November 14, 2008 at 2:59 PM
I think some of you are missing a possible dark horse candidate for 2016…Rep Paul Ryan.
http://www.house.gov/ryan/roadmap
ny59giants on November 14, 2008 at 2:59 PM
Huckabee is a charlatan, and he cannot come close to taking on the CUDA. He is a nice guy, and very funny, but he will not beat out Sarah. His record and his rhetoric do not match at all
ReaganConservative3 on November 14, 2008 at 3:00 PM
He would need to get out of the House by then
joey24007 on November 14, 2008 at 3:01 PM
So.. lets see…. People who have been sentenced or are about to be sentenced due to Palin: http://www.adn.com/fbi/story/587459.html
Hey Pam, so what else about Chicago and Alaska is the same? I would LOVE to hear about it!
upinak on November 14, 2008 at 3:01 PM
They showed up for the ‘historic’ candidate, and may not even show up in 2012
If the economy goes the way I expect, all we have to do is be happy with our nominee, because it will be a tsunami.
Vashta.Nerada on November 14, 2008 at 3:02 PM
One of McCain’s biggest mistakes was not getting this information out there
If you followed the Cuda before she was picked … then you know all about it … to this DAY, even some Republicans have no clue about what she has done in Alaska
its depressing to think that people who follow the news this much know so little about the former VP candidate
its almost as if they get their news strictly from SNL and CNN
disturbing trend
joey24007 on November 14, 2008 at 3:03 PM
They chose SocialismPlus™, versus SocialismLight™. May they get exactly what they voted, or as it was not voted, for. The result may be irreversible.
upinak, what happens if he won’t produce it?
Surely, he wouldn’t drag the country through such untested mud.
Schadenfreude on November 14, 2008 at 3:04 PM
Well, he (Mitt) is the next in line.
Good lord, I hope we are smart enough to ditch that nomination model, after the disasters of 96 and 08.
I was interested in Mitt’s campaign a year or so ago, but he did not wear well with me. I concluded he is a phony; perhaps that is unfair.
james23 on November 14, 2008 at 3:06 PM
Like I said earlier, voters are patient, and if you give them liberal R vs liberal D, they will take the genuine article, so they have a real choice next time. As long as we have guns, election results are always reversible.
Vashta.Nerada on November 14, 2008 at 3:08 PM
Here’s another thing that might stop Romney. In Mich, during the primaries, he campaigned on a form of Bailout for the auto industry. That issue will be front and center soon, and I think supporting an auto bailout now, after all of the Paulson panics and screw ups, will be the kiss of death for any GOP candidate. So Mitt would have to flip flop again to avoid the bailout tag.
james23 on November 14, 2008 at 3:08 PM
Let Palin, Jindal, and Romney (and the inevitable others) duke it out in the primaries. I’m a Palin supporter and look forward to that fight with relish. And no, the economy will not magically recover in two years or four years or even six. If Obama’s tax-and-spend proposals become policies and attempts are made to nationalize the health care and energy industries–and the coal and auto industries are obliterated because of adherence to global warming/climate change claptrap, matters will worsen even more, although it remains to be seen just how long the MSM can obscure that unfriendly truth. And then, of course, we have the likely prospect of major foreign policy blunders to consider: what those will cost and mean. I feel like one of the more pessimistic Old Testament prophets, but think people drastically underestimate just how bad–in every way–an Obama Administration is going to be. Bill Clinton, for all his faults, was never incompetent. Carter was. So imagine Jimmy Carter assuming office with an economy teetering on the brink, where the slightest awkward nudge could send it over.
troyriser_gopftw on November 14, 2008 at 3:10 PM
Ryan’s my man! I think his future is bright as well. I was sad that he decided not to challange John Boehner (sp) because he has a young family right now. Brillant guy with lots of good ideas.
I also like Michele Bachmann and was happy to se her survive the unslaught from Polosi and her Cronies. I heard that she and her husband have like 5 kids and supported like 20 foster kids over the years. Amazing person.
Dritanian on November 14, 2008 at 3:10 PM
Question, y’all –
If Barry does have a legitimate birth certificate, was hasn’t he produced it?
Does he just crave this much attention?
And for those politics whining about Sarah’s publicity…
Grow Up! Have Conservative Republican Positions on the issues that affect Americans and we will pay attention to you.
kingsjester on November 14, 2008 at 3:10 PM
joey… I am a true blue American and a Vet. But I am to the point of seceding if it gets bad.
No one knows Alaska… and those who keep thinking they do just get knocked down. Like the guy who tried to run against Stevens. He was put on the spot for not knowing where places were, who was on the State Legislation. The guy was an idiot.
Not sure what can happen. B.O. can’t do anything about it since he doesn’t run the Supreme Court (yet) BUT if they make him choke it up… since he has to anyway before Dec. 1st. It might be interesting what might happen.
upinak on November 14, 2008 at 3:10 PM
was = why
oops.
kingsjester on November 14, 2008 at 3:11 PM
How does anyone think Sarah would do in a one on one debate with Mitt on ANY topic?
kflynn on November 14, 2008 at 3:11 PM
agree. but want to see if Jindal can excite and inspire people.
james23 on November 14, 2008 at 3:15 PM
Aren’t you embarrassed after you post something like this, then go back and reread it?
right2bright on November 14, 2008 at 3:15 PM
This may come as a surprise to you…but a great debater does not make a great leader…so far Mitt has shown he can debate but not lead, and Palin can lead, but not debate.
I think after these couple of years, she will be able to debate, and be an even better leader…meanwhile Mitt will be leading what?
right2bright on November 14, 2008 at 3:18 PM
Huh? A one trick pony? And what’s that “one trick,” getting people and press to turn out en masse for her every appearance?
That is “one trick” that no other candidate has.
james23 on November 14, 2008 at 3:19 PM
Mitt doesn’t have the political skills to overcome the impression of pandering that he left by the disparity between his Massachusetts campaigns and his run in ‘08.
Not to mention overcoming the inevitable democratic attacks on his business record.
kcewa on November 14, 2008 at 3:21 PM
ohh poor mitt. He is scared of big bad Sarah Palin. Get lost mittens romney
ousoonerfan15 on November 14, 2008 at 3:23 PM
WRONG!
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_2012/69_of_gop_voters_say_palin_helped_mccain
Ninety-one percent (91%) of Republicans have a favorable view of Palin, including 65% who say their view is Very Favorable. Only eight percent (8%) have an unfavorable view of her, including three percent (3%) Very Unfavorable.
When asked to choose among some of the GOP’s top names for their choice for the party’s 2012 presidential nominee, 64% say Palin. The next closest contenders are two former governors and unsuccessful challengers for the presidential nomination this year — Mike Huckabee of Arkansas with 12% support and Mitt Romney of Massachusetts with 11%.
This exit polling data was confirmed by Phone Surveys
These findings echo a survey earlier this week which found that Republicans were happier with their vice presidential candidate than with their presidential nominee. Seventy-one percent (71%) said McCain made the right choice by picking Palin as his running mate, while only 65% said the party picked the right nominee for president.
Geochelone on November 14, 2008 at 3:26 PM
I agree it would look better if she was more concise. I don’t think she’s talking in circles as much as trying to say too much – she tries to give a serious answer, showing that she’s taking all things into consideration, when they want (and there’s only time for) a soundbite.
kcewa on November 14, 2008 at 3:29 PM
Taking on the ‘Cuda is a fool’s errand only if two things occur: (1) the economy recovers, leaving Mitt without an obvious argument for why the base should prefer him to her, and (2) Huckabee doesn’t run, thereby ceding social cons to Palin. Number one is obviously more important than number two since a sustained crisis would give the GOP a shot at the White House; absent that, I’m not sure why any Republican would want to run in 2012,
Basilsbest on November 14, 2008 at 3:31 PM
Mitt has the skill set that is needed today, and if he were picked as VP, he would have been the clear authority on the ticket for the biggest crisis we have seen in 50 years.
Leaders leads and can also convince people to change their thinking. Of the two, Sarah Palin was the only reason for me to vote for McCain/Palin, but outside of our group, how many independents did she convert? Not enough. Mitt would have slaughtered Biden in the debate, and attacked Obama continously from a position of strength, the economy, and given moderates a place to go if they wanted change.
kflynn on November 14, 2008 at 3:34 PM
And my post on this the other day was…10% of the people still think Elvis is alive (and someone posted “he isn’t?), so 1% of the people who like Palin, think Elvis is alive.
What governor has ever had, after 2 years of governing, an 86% approval rating overall?…there isn’t a politician alive that wouldn’t want Palin’s numbers. Congress, single digits, and Palin was at 86%…amazing.
Biden, 3-5,000 at his rally’s, Palin 10,000-30,000, and twice the number of rally’s. Obama, the anointed, did have more, but not much more, and he was the ONE.
right2bright on November 14, 2008 at 3:34 PM
1st things 1st people. We’ve got to eliminate “open” primarys. Keeping them open will be an “operation chaos” in reverse in 2012.
ohiorebel on November 14, 2008 at 3:35 PM
Agreed, the genie is out of the bottle.
right2bright on November 14, 2008 at 3:36 PM
that’s an impressive list, upinak. Would dearly love to see some of that type of housecleaning in DC. No wonder the beltway types fear Palin.
james23 on November 14, 2008 at 3:39 PM
I don’t understand why everyone seems to be in such a rush to pick the ticket for 2012. Isn’t now the time to be rebuilding the Party organization, figuring out what we want the message to be – not just settling for being Democrat-lite?
We have a number of possibles – shouldn’t we be looking at them all, seeing who might be the best fit? We don’t even know what the big issue will be in 2012 – which area Obama may nave screwed up the most. Part of the reason McCain tanked is because economy issues weren’t so dire when he started the campaign.
I like Palin but I’m willing to look at them all – see who wants it – see who seems ready – see what happens with Obama.
katiejane on November 14, 2008 at 3:49 PM
What’s the matter with you? All thinking logically and calmly and stuff. Geez. This is much more fun!
meltenn on November 14, 2008 at 3:53 PM
The more Miss South Carolina Palinmania the better.
Please keep cheerleading for her and by all means, put her on the table in 2012.
Dave Rywall on November 14, 2008 at 3:53 PM
Mitt Romney was saying he would probably never run again for elected office before Palin was even picked by McCain.
All he wanted to do was lend his expertise to fixing the economy and rebuilding the military and giving voice to the folks who live Conservative lives everyday. . He was not treated well for his efforts so why should he try again.
I sure as hell would not.
Elizabetty on November 14, 2008 at 3:54 PM
think this economy is tailor made for Mitt Romney. His business experience will be preferable after Jimmy Carter’s second term. And truth be told alot of people in the party think/feel Palin leap frogged the process and is just a vapid Obama like symbol. Right or wrong Palin should wait for her kids to grow up a little and remain a succesful governor. Get the natural gas pipeline built then take down Begich in the Senate. Then she can run for President and stomp on the left.
Theworldisnotenough on November 14, 2008 at 2:37 PM
This is exactly what Sarah Palin should not do…Her biggest appeal for indies and moderate Dems is her outside the beltway cred..if she follows your advice she will be just another Washington Insider and that would not help her..Conservatives will support her as long as she sticks to her principles so she neeeds to look at attracting the middle to a degree..which can be done without losing the base if she just stays true to who she is
Kidd on November 14, 2008 at 3:56 PM
Is Mitt the same guy who lost debates to McCain and Huckabee?
or is this a different Mitt of which you speak
joey24007 on November 14, 2008 at 3:56 PM
does the teacher give you a gold sticker each time you say that?
joey24007 on November 14, 2008 at 3:57 PM
Who says she can’t debate? She beat Biden, and that’s the only one we’ve seen.
BigD on November 14, 2008 at 3:58 PM
I wouldn’t if I were you
I know what she can do
she’s deadly man
she can really rip your world apart
I think the people she took down in Alaska sing that to people who want to challenge the Cuda
joey24007 on November 14, 2008 at 4:00 PM
See there is this modern thing called the internet where you can actually view videos of Palin in the debates during the race for Alaska’s next governor
joey24007 on November 14, 2008 at 4:02 PM
Gee, Drywall, you make Palin sound like the nuclear option. I can detect fear in your comment.
chunderroad on November 14, 2008 at 4:04 PM
Hasn’t her approval rating dropped to 68 percent in AK since McCain selected her? She’s a strong possibility for 2012 but no sense trotting out numbers that are out of date and no longer reflect reality.
thecountofincognito on November 14, 2008 at 4:08 PM
joey24007 on November 14, 2008 at 3:56 PM
I’m not sure which Mitt you’re talking about, I never saw him lose debates to either of those two. The only one who was on his level at the debates was Rudy. Unfortunately, not enough people paid attention to the primary debates, and voted for the name they’d heard of.
thecountofincognito on November 14, 2008 at 4:09 PM
I was trying to say that win a debate, lose a debate … doesn’t really matter because he didn’t win and I voted for the man!
A debate is only bad if you look horrible … like Reagan’s first debate in 84
and it is only good if you look awesome … like Reagan’s other debates
joey24007 on November 14, 2008 at 4:12 PM
49 other governors want to drop to 68%
and it dropped because she had to play the role of attack dog as VP candidate
joey24007 on November 14, 2008 at 4:13 PM
59 if you live in Obamaland
joey24007 on November 14, 2008 at 4:13 PM
Sarah will be a footnote in four years unless she bones up seriously on national security and foreign affairs. There’s room still, potentially, for Mitt.
redfoxbluestate on November 14, 2008 at 4:13 PM
well we have lowered the bar on what is acceptable knowledge of national security and foreign affairs for becoming President
joey24007 on November 14, 2008 at 4:17 PM
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