Ziegler: Palin’s heading in the wrong direction for a 2012 bid
posted at 12:15 pm on March 3, 2010 by Ed Morrissey
John Ziegler is known for his tireless defenses of Sarah Palin, especially for his outstanding documentary Media Malpractice, which builds a powerful case for media bias in the differing media treatments of Palin and Barack Obama. His combative exchanges with media hosts had made his appearances on national shows rare, especially on MS-NBC. Today, though, John gets a late spot on Morning Joe with Joe Scarborough and has a somewhat mellow exchange with Scarborough while giving an uncharacteristically dour analysis of Palin’s chances in 2012:
As it happens, I agree with John that the moves Palin has made are brilliant for someone who wants to focus more on activism than electoral politics, and for the reasons that John gives in this appearance. At least in 2010, Republicans need to have a big draft among disaffected independents in order to gain a governing coalition in Congress, and then they need to maintain that reach in 2012 if they want to make Barack Obama a one-termer. The nominee will have to have credibility with both the base and with independents in order to achieve the necessary cohesion and energy to defeat an incumbent President, which is somewhat rare over the last 100 years; only Taft, Hoover, Carter, and Bush 41 have lost such efforts (excluding Ford, who wasn’t elected in the first place). Palin’s moves since 2008 have gone in the opposite direction.
That doesn’t mean that Palin can’t do it. There is plenty of time for her to focus less on her base, which is already tremendously loyal, and start working on her appeal to independents, if she’s interested in the 2012 race at all. Her appearance on Leno last night was a good step in that direction, but she may be playing for a longer game than her fans and critics think.
John still gets in his dig at MS-NBC, which has mainly consisted of Obama jock-sniffing for the last three years, with the exception of Scarborough. MS-NBC manages to get its dig in on John, too, as the graphic shown in the front-page pic attests. The only two notable events they can highlight is that John started off as a sportscaster and got fired from a TV gig? Really? Should a network that has a sportscaster as its “news anchor” be throwing stones in that direction?
Blowback
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I remember when Scarborough was loaded up on narcotics and calling into his show and making the most outrageous comments. And then there was the dead female aide they found in his office….
Blake on March 3, 2010 at 12:21 PM
John Ziegler’s obsession with Governor Palin is bordering on creepy stalker.
Enoxo on March 3, 2010 at 12:21 PM
Vitriolic hatred of John Ziegler coming in 3 .. 2 .. 1 …
__________________________________________
Hotair – where Palinistas come to burn her critics in efigy
keep the change on March 3, 2010 at 12:23 PM
I thought we’d have to wait till AP came to work. I was wrong.
promachus on March 3, 2010 at 12:24 PM
Well, then. There is nothing for you (Ziegler) to worry about, isn’t it?
Sir Napsalot on March 3, 2010 at 12:25 PM
hehehe
the comments from people like atheling, et. al. towards ziegler will be interesting.
blatantblue on March 3, 2010 at 12:26 PM
Why do conservatives even go on MSNBC? The “Mojo Note” is pejorative to Ziegler and MSNBC has a long history of such behavior; see Ratigan interview just recently:
http://hotair.com/archives/2010/03/02/video-msnbc-host-confronts-tea-partiers-about-their-nazi-sympathies-or-something/
2010 should be a priority for conservatives to avoid MSNBC and refuse to appear on that network….
IntheNet on March 3, 2010 at 12:27 PM
Traffic must be down.
thomasaur on March 3, 2010 at 12:27 PM
Was the TV gig that dating show?
ninjapirate on March 3, 2010 at 12:28 PM
Says the Martyr that douses himself in gasoline, lights a cigarette and claims anyone who lights him on fire is a Palinista.
portlandon on March 3, 2010 at 12:28 PM
IMHO, Palin will use the activist role far better than a political role. The MSMs will simply not allow her a political position.
jukin on March 3, 2010 at 12:28 PM
Gov. Palin has beat the odds so many times that saying she can’t go from celebrity to President isn’t credible.
Speakup on March 3, 2010 at 12:29 PM
Sarah’s only 45 (which is youngish!) she’s got a good 20 years to run for president. I’d like to see her get some more experience first (Sec. of Energy?). Problem is, who should the GOP nominate in 2012.
rbj on March 3, 2010 at 12:29 PM
I think she’ll put her soldiers in Perry uniforms. Yes I do.
Marcus on March 3, 2010 at 12:30 PM
I really think the best route for Palin is to become the next Clare Booth Luce.
Jim-Rose on March 3, 2010 at 12:30 PM
Hey, Ziegler’s gotta eat, too, right? What easier way to get airtime than to go anti-Palin?
ROCnPhilly on March 3, 2010 at 12:30 PM
Ziegler may be right. But Palin is not known for always hewing to the conventions. Her path to the governorship wasn’t predictable, either.
Missy on March 3, 2010 at 12:30 PM
Q: Why no post of Romney’s Letterman stint from last night?
A: zzzzz zzzzzzz zzzzzz
portlandon on March 3, 2010 at 12:30 PM
Everyone wants to give her advice on what to say and what to do, based on how things have always been done in the political world. Palin not only marches to the beat of another drummer, she has her own orchestra. These self-appointed experts need to step back and pay attention. They may learn something.
NoNails on March 3, 2010 at 12:31 PM
Slowly but surely Ed and Allah are merging into the same blogger, kinda like that guy from District 9.
fiatboomer on March 3, 2010 at 12:31 PM
Not only that, but that “sportscaster” has been fired from every gig he’s had so far until this one, including previiously at MSNBC and Fox Sports – and this one’s not a done deal yet.
JeffWeimer on March 3, 2010 at 12:32 PM
I don’t know whether you are this stupid Ed, or it’s some kind of willful obtuseness but it does take some special kind of gall to say that you’ve to cater to independents— almost three years from election time. You start moving to middle and catering to the independents– after you win primaries. Most of them don’t pay any attention till two months before election anyway. Choosing a centrist veep, doing well in debates and stopping the attack dog role is all that Sarah needs to do in that department. She can always fall back on her record as the governor where she had 80% ratings which she didn’t acquire by being a partisan.
Right now, she’s doing what she needs to do: tour the country, meet lots of people, network with donors, get up to speed with issues, iron out with wrinkles in her presentation. her decision to run will be based on one simple factor– if GOP takes the congress, will Obama turn to middle or not? If he does and rebounds in popularity, she won’t run. If he doesn’t, she will. Simple as that.
promachus on March 3, 2010 at 12:32 PM
She doesn’t want to run at the top of the ticket – how many times does that have to be said?
I believe she’s in this for the right reasons – and she’s going use her octane to hold the GOP’s feet to the fire and ensure they nominate a real conservative that appeals to the grassroots – not a “Mitt Romney”.
I personally think that man is DeMint. But there could be someone else out there … Mike Pence maybe … but it’ll be one of those folks who grassroots conservatives like. We’ve learned how to tell the “wishie washies”, with their fingers in the air from the real, no-nonsense guys.
Now – Palin will campaign for THAT person. When he, or she, wins …
You may just see Sarah Palin on the VP ticket.
Now – if she fails – and the GOP nominates a RINO – then maybe it’s time for a third party. That’ll be critical and that will be the next “hard” decision Palin has to make … “what if the establishment maintains control?”
But for right now – I don’t see that happening – I see the villagers with the pitchforks actually taking control of the GOP – and that’s a positive thing.
HondaV65 on March 3, 2010 at 12:33 PM
Fair enough. Not really surprised by Zeigler’s opinion, and he’s entitled to one just like everyone else.
chunderroad on March 3, 2010 at 12:33 PM
I’ve never heard her say that. Anything but.
chunderroad on March 3, 2010 at 12:35 PM
Pundits’ predictions are about as accurate as the weather forecast. But hey, nice analysis. That should keep the blogosphere running another 10 minutes or so.
Dongemaharu on March 3, 2010 at 12:35 PM
Meh.
Ziegler’s been pretty consistent in saying he doesn’t think she’ll run in 2012, actually. I think (hope?) he’s wrong, but we’ll see.
As to “drafting independents,” I remember when Reagan was running against Carter I, how careful he was to avoid stark contrasts, not “pander” to the religious base, and make sure not to emphasize any “untested” economic theories. Had to drive to the center to meet those “Reagan democrats” who had been demoralized by Carter’s economic policy and foreign policy blunders.
Right?
/sarc
cs89 on March 3, 2010 at 12:36 PM
Our country is heading in the wrong direction right now. That’s the issue.
I’m guessing Sarah doesn’t care what John or any other media figure thinks.
NebCon on March 3, 2010 at 12:36 PM
Let me restate this …
Sarah Palin is NOT running for President.
Sarah Palin’s ONLY goal is to wrest the GOP out of the hands of the RINOs and moderates. In short – her goal is to ensure that Ed and Allah don’t have their way with the party nomination next time around.
HondaV65 on March 3, 2010 at 12:36 PM
You’re always a voice of reason, promachus.
chunderroad on March 3, 2010 at 12:36 PM
Yawn. So when Ziegler defends Palin he is a hack, and when he says something you agree with, it’s Palin supporters that are zealots. Your material is getting stale.
I heard Frum’s Forum is looking for some new commenters, it could be more up your alley.
Norwegian on March 3, 2010 at 12:37 PM
Norris/Nugent 2012
or
Gene Simmons/Jesse G. James 2012
Bishop on March 3, 2010 at 12:38 PM
I’m going to trust promachus’ analysis once again.
chunderroad on March 3, 2010 at 12:38 PM
I don’t SP is going to run in 2012, but I do think she is going to be a political force that BHO is not going to like. She and the Tea Party are going to make a huge difference in who is elected.
d1carter on March 3, 2010 at 12:39 PM
I honestly believe that those who think SP will ever run for an elected office again are dreaming….Therefore, speculating on a possible candidacy is a waste of time.
The woman will make a small fortune doing her FOXNews thing; a top rated show in very short order. She’ll have MORE influence on politics via that venue than anything else she could contemplate – including elective office.
GoldenEagle4444 on March 3, 2010 at 12:39 PM
Says the former campaign manager, Senator, President… oh, wait.
Tom
marinetbryant on March 3, 2010 at 12:40 PM
Palin has explicitly ruled out third parties, and she isn’t conducting purges, either. She is a Republican and promotes the party platform. That’s it.
chunderroad on March 3, 2010 at 12:40 PM
yeah ziegler has been pretty consistent in saying he doesnt think she will run in 2012. Who knows though we will all see.
ousoonerfan15 on March 3, 2010 at 12:40 PM
Well then … I must have missed it … when did she announce she’s running?
She’s refused to rule it out – that is all. She has to have that threat out there or the GOP will automatically go to the next tired old white RINO in line and pronounce Mitt the nominee now.
It’s looking to me like the establishment is going to line up behind Mitt. My bet is that Sarah is going to oppose that with every fiber of her being. And she’s already talking to a conservative option to Romney.
When she says … “I’m not running” … she also say … “because I’m supporting this guy”.
It’s politics – and it’s smart.
HondaV65 on March 3, 2010 at 12:40 PM
Been there, done that. If a viable conservative emerges, Sarah will endorse him or her. If nobody does and Obama is still flailing, she will throw her hat into the ring. She won’t somebody’s veep again. You can take it to the bank.
As for Demint, I think he’s positioning to be ROmney’s veep. If Sarah wins the nom, it’s certain she won’t choose him. She’ll need a more centrist, non-South veep. But if Romney gets it, he’ll need somebody from the south and who’s a conservative to balance the ticket. Who better than Demint?
promachus on March 3, 2010 at 12:40 PM
I like Ziegler, but what makes him an expert on running campaigns?
cubachi on March 3, 2010 at 12:41 PM
The one thing everyone always drifts into is the idea that Sarah Palin has to do something one way in order to be successful.
And the one thing we all find out is that we are stupid and she is smart… because she ignores all our advice and great ideas on what to do and does what she thinks is right for what she plans to do (of which we have no clue) and succeeds brilliantly.
So, Ziegler may be right… but lets keep the main theme in mind… running in 2012… it could be she has determined she has a better chance in 2016 and is aiming there… because by then all the shit from the Obama and Democrat screw ups will have hit and had their effect… if she were to become President in 2012, she would inherit a friggin disaster… and we all know it.
Anyway, she is a lot smarter on politics than I am so I do not presume to second guess her. I just sit back and enjoy the left having migraines and slowly going crazy about what she does. Besides, without Sarah Palin being V/P candidate and all she has done in fighting the left and the LSM, where do you think the Republican party would be today? If nothing else, she actually gave millions hope and the ability to fight back… if that is all she ultimately accomplishes, what’s wrong with that?
PhilipJames on March 3, 2010 at 12:42 PM
lol
independents are becoming incredibly weary of the pres
now is a time to pounce
blatantblue on March 3, 2010 at 12:42 PM
Don’t be so sure about that. If the GOP nominates a RINO again in 2012 she could easily say “Hell with that, we tried but the sitation is unsalvageable.”
I don’t know she’ll do that – she could. If she doesn’t then a lot of tea party folks will do it for her anyway.
HondaV65 on March 3, 2010 at 12:42 PM
Looking for Mitt on Letterman? You’re not looking hard enough. Check out yesterday’s posts….
phreshone on March 3, 2010 at 12:42 PM
How do you know? Since she has not yet said, do you have a source other than her than can confirm?
There has been so much second guessing of Palin’s campaign plans, by conservatives and liberals, but I believe we should defer to her own words as the final authority. And Governor Palin has not yet said “yes” or “no” in this regard. She’s keeping her options open as she should.
IntheNet on March 3, 2010 at 12:42 PM
I think Palin’s strength is how hard people will work to get her elected. Her job (if she chooses to accept it) is to win the primaries and get the nomination. Most of her moves seem to be aligned with this goal.
Once she wins the nomination, she has to get the party bigwigs on board. She is already, slowly but surely, lining up some of the big money guys.
To see how Sarah can win, you have to examine how she won in Alaska, not how other Republicans have won in the past. We have grassroots on our side this time and that is worth a percentage point or so.
huckleberryfriend on March 3, 2010 at 12:43 PM
Democrats have been saying this forever. Watch her on Leno. Btw, there is nothing more influential than being President. It is the most powerful office in the world.
We’ll see who is running when we get to the election. People can speculate all they want. It’s a free country.
chunderroad on March 3, 2010 at 12:43 PM
Does she really have to run for President to affect change? I say no. In fact, sometimes I think she can be more powerful OUTSIDE of Washington. It will be interesting to watch her career continue to develop and see what choices she makes……
search4truth on March 3, 2010 at 12:43 PM
???
Really? I could use a clue what you’re referring to.
cs89 on March 3, 2010 at 12:44 PM
I’d rather wake up in a sweaty naked embrace with Rosanne Barr than wake up to find DeMint on a Romney ticket.
God – please don’t let that happen.
I know that DeMint was friendly to Romney last time around – but Romney actually appeared to be the real conservative alternative after Fred Thompson dropped out.
I’m hoping that was just a “convienient” arrangement and not something that will be repeated this time around. But who knows. I hope DeMint is solid – but I don’t know for sure.
HondaV65 on March 3, 2010 at 12:46 PM
Here is Sarah Palin in her own words. We’ve covered this extensively on HotAir and just about every conservative blog.
chunderroad on March 3, 2010 at 12:47 PM
All this over analyzing and critiquing of everything Palin does in relation to 2012 is beyond tiresome. And let’s be frank, most of the pundits (including those here at Hot Air) have been consistantly wrong when it comes to Palin and her future in politics.
As for her having to appeal to the independents, just exactly how does she do that? Does she abandon her conservative principles to appeal to a swath of voters who sway with the wind? Or does she continue to beat the conservative drum as Reagan did and bring those people to her side because they know she’s right?
I think Palin has keen political instincts and has proved it over and over again. She’s also the best retail politician out there today. She connects with people on a personal level and gives them hope about the future of their country.
Sure she has to repair the damage done to her image by the MSM and the McCain campaign but now that she is no longer bound by the restrictions placed on her in ’08, she is doing just fine. And if she decides to throw her hat in the ring for 2012, I have no doubt she will be a formidable opponent.
Redneck Woman on March 3, 2010 at 12:47 PM
For anyone who has reviewed Governor Palin’s career, from Mayor to Governor, knows that she has never followed the “appropriate path.” She does things her way, and she does it effectively.
If she wants to run for President, she’ll run regardless of what the talking heads say.
Enoxo on March 3, 2010 at 12:47 PM
When she announces she’s not running – she’ll also announce (or very quickly afterward) who she’s supporting for the nomination.
HondaV65 on March 3, 2010 at 12:47 PM
I disagree, Ed. Hoover was president when the stock market crashed, Carter ruined the economy, and Bush 41 reneged on “read my lips.” While we ideologues prefer to vote for someone, the independents have no problem voting against someone. I think the independents will make Obama pay for ObamaCare, the stimulus that didn’t stimulate, and 10% unemployment and it really won’t matter who the GOP candidate is.
Kafir on March 3, 2010 at 12:48 PM
How’s that lawsuit against USC coming?
Tom_Shipley on March 3, 2010 at 12:49 PM
“Lesbians = ratings.” –Howard Stern
“Palin threads = page hits.” –Hot Air
UltimateBob on March 3, 2010 at 12:49 PM
I guess you’re not listening to me. All I can tell you is this …
1. People change their minds and …
2. They often do if the layout of the battlefield changes.
I agree with her at the moment. We should take back the GOP. But if the GOP is too obstinate and we can’t wrest it from the Nixonian Rockefellers … then we’ll have to seek another option.
HondaV65 on March 3, 2010 at 12:50 PM
Scarborough is so jealous of Palin, Beck, Hannity and Limbaugh it practically oozes out of his pores and drips on to that plexiglass desk.
Scarborough (always): I don’t agree with Obama, but first I want to say that I have been bashing Bush and the Republicans for the past 12 years. yada, yada, yada…..
joedoe on March 3, 2010 at 12:50 PM
Yes. This. What needs to happen is if someone like Romney takes office, he appoints Palin at a top-level cabinet post that plays to her strengths, such as the energy dept. or sect. of interior, which gets her the experience and gravitas she needs for a later run.
She’s got many bright years ahead of her, guys.
John the Libertarian on March 3, 2010 at 12:51 PM
lol
if that’s the ROmney plan
i suppose independents will start voting in Republican primaries any day now
promachus on March 3, 2010 at 12:51 PM
Sarah Palin has said before that she doesn’t need national office to make a difference.
Therefore, she’s not running. Period.
newton on March 3, 2010 at 12:52 PM
you dont get it. good luck
blatantblue on March 3, 2010 at 12:53 PM
It’s not that rare. In 100 years there are 25 elections. Of those 25, 17 were between an incumbent and a challenger. 2008, 2000, 1988, 1968, 1960, 1952, 1928, 1920 were elections without an incumbent running over the past century.
So 5 out of 17 times the incumbent lost. I’m including Ford and I don’t see why you wouldn’t include him since he was the incumbent president. If you exclude him you should also exclude the 1948 and 1964 wins by Truman and LBJ since they too were not elected initially.
That’s a 30% loss rate for incumbents. Obviously the incumbent has a better change of winning. But I wouldn’t call 30% rare.
That’s what you get when you allow someone with a minor in US History to post. :)
angryed on March 3, 2010 at 12:53 PM
HELLOOOOOO……The GOP machine already has some people in line that will keep the *status quo going in D.C.
*STATUS QUO meaning:
Growing Federal and Congressional power with only a few marquee issues restrained, but behind the scenes the buyoffs and bailouts continue.
People in line for the GOP establishment?
Mittens, Pawlenty, Daniels, Rubio, Christ, Huckleberry, Newtie, Haley Barbour, etc.
PappyD61 on March 3, 2010 at 12:53 PM
HondaV65 on March 3, 2010 at 12:47 PM
Time will tell. I hope she runs, but it is of course possible that she won’t.
To my eye, the direction she’s headed is toward more engagement rather than less, and I think an effective midterm would put her in the right trajectory for 2012. Doubt if she’ll publicly state either way before at least Dec. 2010, but we’ll see what happens.
cs89 on March 3, 2010 at 12:54 PM
It has now gotten to the point that I don’t pay one bit of attention to whatever anyone has to say about anything on MSNBC (The Place For Insanity).
As long as the inmates are still running the asylum over there, MSNBC is the #1 channel I avoid at all costs.
pilamaye on March 3, 2010 at 12:56 PM
One has absolutely nothing to do with the other. You are making false assumptions.
chunderroad on March 3, 2010 at 12:56 PM
Scarborough may not be jock-sniffing, but he’s surely guilty of carrying his water. Great, he disagrees with spending policies, but then insists that GOP guests go along with Obama on anything that contains the whiff of a GOP idea. Case in point is the income tax credit for new hires in the current jobs bill. As Ed has explained, the tax credit is essentially a Cash for Gofers gimmick that will provide a subsidy to employers who were going to hire some new people to begin with.
The problem with Scarborough, likable as he can be, is that his analysis of issues is tissue-paper thin.
BuckeyeSam on March 3, 2010 at 12:57 PM
Interesting. The most succinct sentence in her entire interview, for me, was regarding the independence of the teaparty types and how they DON’T need some guru to worship.
I heard that loud and clear and was terribly relieved. I do not have any interest in following anyone who admires the campaign of Obama, which frankly inspired a kind of adultation that is unseemly. His drop in the polls is his own fault, created by stirring up expectations beyond realism.
That poster of his? It’s perfect, since it is surreal. He pushed that.
I much, much prefer someone real. Sarah will run in the primary. I presume she’ll lose. I’ll vote for her, at least today.
I think she’s authentic and will prove herself to be very much a quick study on issues.
And I disagree with Ziegler on one major point. I think her moves have been outstanding. I am, for one, personally finished with the “protocol” approach to politics.
AnninCA on March 3, 2010 at 12:57 PM
it’s ed at war with logic again. combative exchanges are exactly what these shows love – it’s ziegler’s irrelevance that keeps him from appearing.
sesquipedalian on March 3, 2010 at 12:57 PM
On this point, I agree completely. Red State keeps the making the awesome point that conservatives play ball but centrists don’t. I mean, cons will come home and vote for the country or something but if centrists don’t have their way, they’ll throw tantrums, they’ll make our life miserable. Remember the Bushes when Reagan got nominated? They whined and whined until their empire was givena new lease. Also, by the way, after Reagan we never had a proper conservative nominated. It’s been Rockefellers all the way, for 5 elections; they drove the country into abyss when in power and yet have th gall to make a stink that cons might get into power this time.
I saw we pay them back this time. If they manage to sneak one of their own, we’ll run a third party or we’ll sit home but we’ll not vote for them. That should teach them. If a conservative congress comes in 2010, Obama will be handicapped anyway, so we can safely use 2012 to teach those Rockefellers a lesson. Conservatives need to get nominated more often, at least 50% of the time. Period.
promachus on March 3, 2010 at 12:57 PM
To be fair, the chances of igniting gas with a cigarette are slightly higher than igniting water with a cigarette.
From Mythbusters:
uknowmorethanme on March 3, 2010 at 12:59 PM
BWAHAHAHA Is this Mitt Romney’s new angle? “Inevitability” worked wonders for Hillary Clinton, too. If he’s going to blow a bunch of his money AGAIN on a presidential campaign, he can do better than take advice from Mark Penn.
chunderroad on March 3, 2010 at 12:59 PM
YES! YES! Palin must immediately start pandering to Independents. Those lovely Independents who waffle with the wind and float toward whomever is making shinier promises. Even though they’ll swing to someone else who sings a prettier tune.
Forget about having any ethics – become another standard politician who changes their pitch to whatever audience they’re sucking up to. No time can be lost in the dance to make promises to break. /s
katiejane on March 3, 2010 at 12:59 PM
I don’t think she’s running in 2012. But that doesn’t mean she won’t run eventually.
uknowmorethanme on March 3, 2010 at 1:00 PM
We don’t have a parliamentary system that encourages viable, multiple parties. I am against wasting your vote to make an idiotic point. Sitting home is preferable. At least that is understandable. Why bother to vote for someone you dislike?
chunderroad on March 3, 2010 at 1:02 PM
Sarah Palin has said before that she doesn’t need national office to make a difference.
Therefore, she’s not running. Period.
newton on March 3, 2010 at 12:52 PM
Then why doesn’t she just come out and say that? Besides, she’s already said she would not rule out a Presidential run if she thought it was right for her family and the country. Honestly, I don’t think she’s made a decision one way or the other yet. I think she’s doing what needs to be done to get conservatives elected in 2010 and then will survey the field after that to see if running in 2012 is something she wants/needs to do.
Redneck Woman on March 3, 2010 at 1:02 PM
If Palin tries to appeal to middle-of-the-road voters, she going to start pissing off the “purity testers” that make up her base.
Palin is never going to be president. And I kind of doubt she’ll ever run.
Tom_Shipley on March 3, 2010 at 1:03 PM
Funny how people always know what’s best for other people. With Palin, it’s almost an obsession as she is constantly criticized for what she does or doesn’t do. Fortunately, I believe that she believes that the ‘free’ opinions of others with regard to her actions are not even worth the price.
docdave on March 3, 2010 at 1:03 PM
I was holding my breath to see how Sarah would handle being in the media.
For me, anyway, she’s undoing the Couric interview problem. She’s relaxing.
When I watched that interview, I saw it as a huge expectations issue. She assumed, wrongly, she’d be treated as a legitimate candidate.
Boy, did she ever underestimate sexism in this country.
But I’ve been totally cheered up lately. She’s definitely regrouped and is at ease.
Way more than McCain or Romney, for that matter. Romney got a soft ball. “Tell us about your plane altercation.”
Nobody has yet asked the guy how he feels about the MA health insurance debacle.
She, on the other hand, has EVERY controversial issue addressed.
She is, in my opinion, being truly vetted right now. He is not. She’ll benefit, too. He isn’t going to benefit from everyone pretending he’s the “automatic” guy.
People aren’t interesting in the automatic contenders these days.
AnninCA on March 3, 2010 at 1:04 PM
She hasn’t said one way or another, so everyone should shut up until the primaries. There’s a bunch of boring old white men who would love her to stay out of it and come make some speeches for them. That’s not who Sarah Palin is.
chunderroad on March 3, 2010 at 1:04 PM
See!
Tom_Shipley on March 3, 2010 at 1:04 PM
I don’t think she is going to run in 2012 and I don’t want her to run. I knew of and liked Sarah way before the 2008 campaign. I’ve read her book and follow her postings taking on the Obama administration and the dems in general. It’s just not her time in 2012. YMMV!
MoodyBlu on March 3, 2010 at 1:05 PM
The “purity” people are, by nature, angry people. Everyone will piss them off. *haha
I’m definitely moderate, probably left-leaning, but she appeals to me, anyway, already.
AnninCA on March 3, 2010 at 1:05 PM
Generalize much?
uknowmorethanme on March 3, 2010 at 1:05 PM
People have been telling Sarah what to do for a long time, and have been dead wrong. Sarah is who she is … and that is why we like her.
tarpon on March 3, 2010 at 1:06 PM
Since I like my opinion better, seeing how it’s just my thoughts in response to a random comment on this thread, and not a demand, why don’t you shut up?
uknowmorethanme on March 3, 2010 at 1:07 PM
First of all, John Ziegler has a history of uneven behavior, with streaks of melodramatic self-pity and extravagant hyperbole. He has no record of astute political analysis. Quite the contrary, in fact.
His argument here is consistent with this profile.
1. His assertion that Palin had no choice but to deal with the cards that were dealt her in the aftermath of the attacks against her in the 2008 election is too obviously ridiculous. Palin did exactly the opposite of “dealing with the cards that were dealt her.” She threw down the cards and changed the game entirely. Her book and tour, her essays on Facebook, her public appearances were all bold and direct repudiations of what was dealt her. If she’d done the former, she would have retired to Alaska and we’d never have heard another word from her.
3. Most important, Ziegler is demonstrating real obtuseness in missing how 2010 is so different than past years as to what people want in political leaders and what will work for republicans. He’s basically suggesting that the old model is the only thing that can work, that a candidate cannot fire up the conservative base and appeal to independents or moderates. Than what was a “Reagan democrat”? This is precisely the idiotic commentary that Reagan turned on its head. And even more than 1980, more than any time in our history, people are looking for clear-thinking and straight-talking politicians willing to risk popularity in the name of conviction. For him to suggest that an activist spirit is at odds with one’s political viability, or that independent voters are necessarily repelled by some Fox commentaries, is just poor analysis.
Sloppy thinking.
There is a quality of attention-getting to this which I have seen in Ziegler in the past. It appears as if he is performing as the Palin “sage” for the media.
rrpjr on March 3, 2010 at 1:09 PM
I’m surprised at how simplistic critics are of Sarah Palin. She is who she is, she’s comfortable in her own skin. She hasn’t had major, mid-life changes in her fundamental beliefs, and she pals around with others who want to return America to its foundations.
Yes, she is going to ruffle the feathers of those who go along to get along, who are more interested in getting into a position of power than do the right thing.
Take a look at the list of “establishment” GOP presidential candidates. Many of them have been all over the map on such basic issues such as big v. small government, abortion, health care, and the like.
You know who you have in Sarah Palin, like her or not.
Captain America on March 3, 2010 at 1:10 PM
Not according to Intrade.
Jon0815 on March 3, 2010 at 1:10 PM
I think that whole plane thing was made up, anyway. Romney would rather have his name come up in conversation with the Olympics than with Massachusetts healthcare.
chunderroad on March 3, 2010 at 1:11 PM
Since I like my opinion better, seeing how it’s just my thoughts in response to a random comment on this thread, and not a demand, why don’t you shut up?
uknowmorethanme on March 3, 2010 at 1:07 PM
Because you don’t know more than me. That’s why.
chunderroad on March 3, 2010 at 1:14 PM
Yeah that worked wonders in 2006 and 2008. Boy oh boy you sure showed them!
angryed on March 3, 2010 at 1:15 PM
Does anyone here really think she’s going to run?
She’s not!
Just let her be!
newton on March 3, 2010 at 1:16 PM
I can’t watch the clip, but I’ve read plenty of Ziegler’s columns in the past year to know that the man has a) always maintained that he didn’t think she was running in 2012 and b) predicted even recently that Obama would likely get reelected.
He’s not the Palin @sskisser the drive-bys would like to make him out to be. As for his take on 2012, I agree that only appealing to conservatives and the Tea Party faithful is a losing strategy(albeit only a narrow one). But whoever the GOP nominee is does need to first lock up that sizable bloc of voters.
McCain never had the support of conservatives in 2008. He only won them over after picking Palin and even then he managed to keep many of them on the fence for the rest of the campaign by refusing to go after Obama and voting yes on TARP. And now Romney appears to be applying the same tactics by tacking to the center. Palin’s playing this right. First, secure the base in 2010. Then in 2011 after campaigning for GOP governors and Congressmen, announce her candidacy and begin to win over moderates and independents.
Doughboy on March 3, 2010 at 1:16 PM
Palin’s expanding horizons have probably left Mr. Ziegler behind and for that he may be resentful. The ferocious and relentless vituperation of the media have left her with the primary goal of getting the truth out. Anything else including speculating on her political future is pointless. A case in point is her appearance on Leno opposite Romney’s appearance on Letterman.
She is currently building a very strong case for her political future without setting that as her goal. She is selecting conservative candidates to campaign for, written an autobiography that has sold 2 1/2 million copies so far and is affecting federal legislation with comments on Facebook.
Obama is setting the stage for a massive political failure and Palin is expertly positioning herself to be the primary beneficiary of such a cataclysmic political event.
Her message is consistent, easily understood and will appeal to almost everyone who hears it. I’m sure we’ll be hearing those all too familiar words, “Surprising the expert’s…” in the next couple of years.
davo on March 3, 2010 at 1:20 PM
Agreed. Never felt comfortable about this dude.
July 10 on March 3, 2010 at 1:20 PM
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