I’d say her campaign position was perfect. Now, not so much. If she gets branded as the candidate for the pro-lifers, she’ll be a minor player. They seem to be a one-issue type of group.

AnninCA on May 18, 2009 at 9:50 PM

While the life issue is central to many in the base, most pro-lifers are capable of understanding and voting on more than one issue. In fact, there is significant overlap between social & fiscal conservativism overall.

We don’t have to choose one or the other- the GOP platform generally has appealed to both, especially when it was most successfull.

cs89 on May 18, 2009 at 10:24 PM

Exactly so. Social conservatives generally vote fiscally conservative. Fiscal conservatives don’t reliably vote as social conservatives.

So why not a candidate that both want?

Because the candidates who don’t care about social issues want to be elected, and are willing to cast away the social conservatives as long as they get power.

It’s all about power for the Rockefeller Wing of the party, and they figure that the social conservatives are also fiscal/national defense conservatives, and will have no choice but to vote for them. In effect, they treat the social conservatives as a captive voting bloc, and figure they don’t have to do anything to please them.

Why can’t Republicans get along? Because different factions are trying to build political power, and accomplishing it by destroying all possible competitors.

The ugly truth is that Sarah Palin is attacked every bit as much by Republican rivals as she is by Democrats. The obvious corollary to that is that there are certain people who want the Republicans to win — but only they’re the winning Republicans.

Reagan’s famous Eleventh Commandment would have been completely ignored if he hadn’t settled the sturggles for political power in the Republican party by assuming that power himself.

I predict Palin will be the nominee.
It is going to take more righteous kerbstomping at the polls before the base can let go.

strangelet on May 19, 2009 at 1:13 AM

I’ve read somewhere that “Reagan will be president someday” was once a joke.

That applies to all of us. All sides. It’s dumb.

Palin remains important for some reason and if people want her there then she should be there. If she can do something positive then it will be all for the good. If she does something negative then it will probably mean she won’t be relevant again on the national stage.

Either way there’s no profit in inhibiting her.

Really guys… there is no faction of the party we can do without these days. Driving out existing allies when you need MORE allies is foolishness. There seems to be a juvenile attraction to going down in a blaze of glory but that only makes sense when you’re about to die or something. if you live after that then you’re going to miss the burned bridges and the sacrifices.

We can’t afford to be that stupid.

We don’t know what the political climate will be like in late Summer/Fall of 2012. If 0bama’s chickens are coming home to roost, an army of Palinistas can win the day.

Give me a break, that briar patch nonsense is stupid.

Go Cuda

Defeat would be better than watching McCain like candidate.
“O is great, O will be good pres., No nasty talk (facts) against dems. or O.

Want to do that again.

You’re right. We’re not being chased out of the party.

We’re told to shut up and sit at the back of the bus, where we belong. Oh, and open up our wallets.

Marco Rubio is being told not to bother running for the Senate ’cause his betters favor Crist. Sarah Palin is the target of a whisper campaign. Do you people fear her that much that you don’t think you can beat her in a stand up fight?

Ever watch Serenity? Shepard Book warns Mal that the Alliance will send an operative, and that “they’ll come at you sideways, because that’s how they think”. Why are those “inclusive” “moderate” Republican’s coming at Palin sideways?

Mike Steele drinks the kool aid

Steele said. “How is kicking Colin Powell out or kicking Dick Cheney out or Rush Limbaugh in going to feed a child who’s hungry tonight?”
William Amos on May 18, 2009 at 8:59 PM

That was the absolutely stupidest thing I have ever heard a politician say. Exactly how does the RNC feed hungry children and why? That was soooooo dumb. I can’t even begin to understand it.

petunia on May 18, 2009 at 9:08 PM

That’s not dumb. If you think we elect a government to feed hungry children.

Wait. Which party is he supposed to be the head of, again?

b) He is resentful of her popularity because he never generated that type of appeal so he enjoys the snipers taking her down.

HOMERUN!

I keep hearing all the McCain bashers using what these guys say about Palin to attack McCain, but McCain is not the guy saying these things, he is the guy who had enough confidence in Sarah Palin to run with her.

Terrye on May 19, 2009 at 7:06 AM

Ever consider that if McCain had any leadership standing in the GOP he could rein in those attacking Palin? The fact that his people continue to try and kneecap her leaves us with several options:

a) He agrees with them but not wanting to appears like an idiot for picking her, he is having them do the dirty work.

b) He is resentful of her popularity because he never generated that type of appeal so he enjoys the snipers taking her down.

c) He disagrees with the bashers but he is such a non-player that they don’t care if he objects.

And none of those options speak positively for McCain.

there is no compromise in your world. You have disregarded Reagan’s lesson about someone who agrees with you 80% of the time is not your enemy. You’d rather light the torches and chase out the “heretics’ who are not completely in line with your opinion.

Bradky on May 18, 2009 at 10:24 PM

Conservatives believe in a core set of ideals, that traditionally have formed the planks of the Republican party…

Promotion of freedom through limited government.
Fiscal responsibility.
Freedom to practice religion.
Gun ownership.
Constitutional law of the land.
…and yes, babies should not be killed for “convenience”.

If you feel the need to support 80% of these ideals, then you should… and not try to CHANGE those core ideals of the party. Moderates are the truly inflexible ones.

Conservatives only want to chase out those “heretics” who would pervert and change the party to match their ideals.

We should welcome all, but do not expect us to change to gain your support.

Huntsman advisor: We’re doomed in 2012 if Palin’s a major player in the GOP

And if winning the election is the only objective and the GOP nominates someone you need a magnifying glass to find what actually makes them different from the LEFT – we don’t need the GOP.

Huntsman could hardly have been considered a major player if the majority of general voters outside his region had never heard of him.

The GOP “strategists” dismiss Gov Palin and the Conservative base at their own peril. GOP “moderates” can not win the presidency by drawing Independents when Dems pretend they’re moderates. Dems are much better liars. GOP insiders continue to count on Conservatives holding their noses to vote for the REP squish in hopes of him being better than the Dem. At some point Conservatives are going to realize that the RINOs think as little of them as the Dems do.

8 years is just all that any party can expect to get. If you can’t lose after 8 years, then you’re not really realistic, in my opinion.

AnninCA on May 19, 2009 at 12:02 AM

1980-1992. I like Bush I, but he lost because he did not continue Reagan’s focus on low taxes and allowed himself to be steamrolled on the economy.

The American public did not tire of a conservative social/fiscal policy, but lost trust in the “no new taxes” pledge breaker. Clinton was able to come in on a wave of “the economy’s suffering and Bush doesn’t care.”

what these guys say about Palin to attack McCain, but McCain is not the guy saying these things, he is the guy who had enough confidence in Sarah Palin to run with her.

Terrye on May 19, 2009 at 7:06 AM

What is left UNSAID speaks volumes, revealing more about the man playing mute than the target being abused.

Typical twist of the truth from Mr. Martin. No, Palin did not eye the Clinton alliance. Mr. Coale has been nagging Palin to do so, and has been told no. And Mr. Coale tells Palin that a financial contribution to Hillary Clinton would buy protection from Hillary’s media. That’s EXTORTION, and all things considered from media abuse, blackmail. And Palin is merely amiable to cooperative conversations with Bill and/or Hillary Clinton, leaving the appropriate amount of time between requests and responses so as not to be abrupt, feeding that fodder critic machine.

Sick, Jonathan Martin, as if YOU wanted in on that extortion. “I’ll report nice talk if you just bribe me.”

Uh, after the party was over and all the “campaign people” came out bashing Palin and McCain said……_______________

Exactly

How bout the Wardrobe Mess?
How bout the Couric Interview? Palin said they sent her back in after the first one was really bad and wondered “why”

How bout the Charlie Gibbons Interview?

She should have done Rush, Ingrham, and some “friendly” ones first to get her sea legs. She was majorly mishandled.

Your right, McCain gave her the light with no support! That same mistake won’t happen again!

Reading something that is another person’s opinion that happens to match your own is going to do WHAT?

What I DO know and IS a fact is that people that are of “your” way of thinking, “moderate” ie “socialist democrat light” have been in charge of the party, even here in Utah with Huntsman for a couple of decades. YOU are the ones losing people like me, because you refuse to speak for, or understand me.

I keep hearing all the McCain bashers using what these guys say about Palin to attack McCain, but McCain is not the guy saying these things, he is the guy who had enough confidence in Sarah Palin to run with her.

So maybe a lot of these experts do not know what they are talking about.

Everyone who is speaking against conservative leadership of the republican party is part of the problem. John Weaver reminds me of the Tessio character in the movie the Godfather.

scrubjay on May 18, 2009 at 11:45 PM

More like Fredo

I saw her in GA with Chambliss, she energized the crowds

Everywhere she went..they were energized. Just like the paid ACORN workers showing up at the Won’s parties yet these were common folk.

She will be a fresh voice…if the republic stands after all the won is doing.

I’d say her campaign position was perfect. Now, not so much. If she gets branded as the candidate for the pro-lifers, she’ll be a minor player. They seem to be a one-issue type of group.

AnninCA on May 18, 2009 at 9:50 PM

Hi Ann..in…CA

One word for you, Smile, your mom was Pro-Life!

Your continued snub to people who value LIFE above convenience is the very reason why people over 70 will not be welcomed in the US under the Govt Mandated Healthcare. I’ve got an 89 year old Great Uncle, who can tell you some of the greatest stories about WWll. I’ve learned from him.

A person who does not stand for innocent life who have NO say and have made NO choice on their own is lowest of the low. I AM a ONE CHOICE person because without LIFE, none of us have a vote!

BTW: If the Baby is Female, shouldn’t she have a choice of her own body!

GO SARAH!

Herb on May 18, 2009 at 10:36 PM

+1