Matthews: Media will destroy Palin if she wins in the primaries
posted at 12:15 pm on July 7, 2010 by Ed Morrissey
This isn’t intended as a criticism of Chris Matthews or his statement about Sarah Palin; in fact, he’s exactly correct in this analysis. If Palin decides to run for President and scores big in Iowa, survives in New Hampshire, and can go big in South Carolina, she will have a strong lead for the Republican nomination. Actually, that’s not exactly news, since that’s also the strategy for Mike Huckabee and Tim Pawlenty (who is spending three days in Iowa), and anyone else seeking the Republican nomination. Matthews is also not wrong about what will happen if Palin manages to do it (emphasis mine, courtesy of Greg Hengler):
An early knockout is the way she can win. The media will try to destroy her, of course, but if she goes early, wins early, I think she can win it before anyone can stop her.
Of course they will! Notice that no one objects to this characterization of the media on this panel of, er, media personalities. No one questions whether that is actually the media’s job, to intentionally try to destroy political candidates. It’s all just a given. Palin runs, media will attempt to destroy her — and it serves as an implicit admission that the media did exactly that in 2008.
Paging John Ziegler — John Ziegler to the red courtesy phone, please…
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: « Previous 1 … 3 4 5 6 Next »
Ubiquitous in almost every one of your posts.
I didn’t say that.
I said that you didn’t know what you were talking about.
This doesn’t equal “ignorant.”
However, ignorant works for me.
You are just plain wrong about Neo-Conservatism.
It doesn’t qualify as an “opinion.”
I told him that his view of American domestic politics was much less valid because he lived in the Philippines and it is.
You are the one who’s proven to be incredibly weak on several subjects on just this one thread.
You have no room to talk or to attempt to censure others.
And I’ve dealt with your many shortcomings on my own time which is my own folly but I did it to clarify things for any hapless readers that might be led astray by your misinformation.
Jenfidel on July 7, 2010 at 5:32 PM
That is true, but this discussion has been rather fun so far.
We are all on the same team, I do think we need to remember that in these heated debates between non-liberals that we have here.
I’m throwing a Dethrone Queen Nancy Party the evening of Nov. 2, 2010.
A drinking game based on the defeated Democrats in the election returns as they come in is in the works.
I expect to be hammered by the time they get out West. :)
Brian1972 on July 7, 2010 at 5:34 PM
Are you ever happy?!
Are you married?
I pity your spouse and/or children.
You cannot be pleased.
Why try?
Jenfidel on July 7, 2010 at 5:35 PM
Sorry, but I don’t want that carper, whiner and all around wanker m.m. to be on my team, thanks!
Jenfidel on July 7, 2010 at 5:37 PM
It is July 7th in the year of our Lord 2010 and Chris Matthews is still talking about Sarah Palin, the VP on the 2008 Republican ticket.
Obsess Much Mr Matthews?
Dr Evil on July 7, 2010 at 5:40 PM
Oh for the love of all that is …..
Stop.
If… IF Palin runs, then we can go into these debates. until then they are mute to a point. Yes, she is saying what others in this country are and have been. But until there is some sign she is going to try to be the POTUS or maybe RNC Chair… well we will have to just see then.
upinak on July 7, 2010 at 5:40 PM
What this thread shows, is that no matter the facts, Palin haters will continue their hate.
They say she doesn’t debate or write articles, that was disproved, and not a mention of “oops, I guess I was wrong”…they state that the Palin supporters don’t understand her limitations, and when that was shown as not true no “oops, guess I was mistaken”.
No, trust me, like the video of Chris shows, Palin haters are their to destroy and take her down, and when facts, actual facts are presented to them, they dismiss them.
Such are the small minds that can’t think for themselves…they form an opinion, and cannot change that view, or even acknowledge when they are so obviously wrong that they could be mistaken.
So they view our frustration as being “fanatic”, and they don’t view their unchanging view as anything but “intelligent analysis”…even when the proof is so obvious.
Let me see…global warming, birthers, 9/11 conspirators, Palin haters, even when facts are shown to them, they completely ignore, completely disregard…now who is the fanatic???
Interesting how the fanatical and obsessive mind works…even cold hard facts won’t deter them.
right2bright on July 7, 2010 at 5:42 PM
And well worth the hangover…but I am afraid their isn’t enough botox to keep the frown off of Pelosi’s face…
right2bright on July 7, 2010 at 5:44 PM
That sounds somewhat like a threat, an admission and a confession all rolled into one. Why does the media think this is their job?
Fallon on July 7, 2010 at 5:44 PM
FI in case no one else did…
RalphyBoy on July 7, 2010 at 5:46 PM
Did you catch any trout?
You got me all excited and I went out and caught a couple of bass (my dog goes crazy over the fish jumping in the water)…I live on a small lake (attached to many other lakes) and it has an abundance of large mouth bass, not big about 2-3 lbs. The largest I have ever caught here was about 5.5 lbs.
All catch and release…ocean is where the table fish live.
right2bright on July 7, 2010 at 5:48 PM
I can’t see her going for RNC Chair. Just can’t see it.
It’s so insiderish, so Beltway-centric.
She’s practically doing the job now from Wasilla anyway.
I don’t think she wants it, and I’m really skeptical of the Committee voting her in.
This is the Republican National Committee we are talking about.
I think the Outsider status is too valuable to her to go jump into that, and possibly have the GOP big shots revolt against the idea and her lose.
That would be universally bad.
I’ve always said I don’t see her going for a Senate seat either, just not the type to like that environment.
She said as much in her book, which I just got around to reading last week.
My read on it was confirmed in her own words, nearly exactly.
Besides, the next several months are all filled up with other stuff, like many more speaking dates, charity events, campaign stops for candidates, and the TLC Alaska documentary, and a new book coming out in November, right after the elections.
She doesn’t have time for the RNC!
Brian1972 on July 7, 2010 at 5:49 PM
We pity your sense of elitism, but don’t mistake sincere compassion as an endorsement.
You’d rather attack all that does not conform to your personal convictions than meditate on what aligns.
So it isn’t enough to have supported Palin through her trials. Everyone must sign on to your version of whatever.
Last thought reiterated, if Palin wins the Republican Party (not simply her own fans in the party) to her agenda (still not stipulated), meaning she has the support of winning Congressional Republican candidates obligated to their constituents, then a Palin Presidency would likely enjoy enacting the legislative agenda Palin sponsors (neo-conservatism as war funds supersede appropriation from all else, namely the squandered “entitlements”).
/Note that Palin has no skin in the political game to shrink or eliminate the Marxist DHS and Dept.Education federal government bureaucracies. She does not endorse smaller government so much as cutting entitlements (none specified). What politicians promise always contrasts with what they deliver, a matter of fact despite wishful thinking.
maverick muse on July 7, 2010 at 5:49 PM
Sarah would love you!
Per her Tweets, she’s out salmon fishing with Todd right now and says “buy Alaskan salmon!”
Jenfidel on July 7, 2010 at 5:51 PM
Haven’t caught anything this year actually. Hopefully very soon!
Brain just have to watch and see…. don’t speculate with her. We all know she always does something we didn’t expect.
right and brina.. email me a sec. helpingpalin at gmail.com
upinak on July 7, 2010 at 5:53 PM
But will Matthews still be employed come 2012? Comcast is going to have controlling interest in NBCU, and his ratings aren’t so great…maybe he can blog for Andrew Sullivan/SARC
Dr Evil on July 7, 2010 at 5:53 PM
right2bright
maverick muse on July 7, 2010 at 5:54 PM
By the way to show you that Sarah has momentum now on June 21st she had 1,663,300 members on her Facebook. Today as I write this she has 1,808,176 members an increase of about 145,000 new members in the last 16 days for an average of about 9000 new members a day.
technopeasant on July 7, 2010 at 5:57 PM
How come you don’t want me to email you?!
Is it because we disagreed about AGIA?
Jenfidel on July 7, 2010 at 6:09 PM
Ugh. Another Palin thread full of Palin ‘supporter’ scat.
Open a window – it stinks in here.
Timothy S. Carlson on July 7, 2010 at 6:11 PM
uhhhh, yeah, I think that pretty much sums up your posts…I think we are through with you tonight.
Way to dodge the challenges…I liked it when you manned up and admitted your mistake when you claimed she doesn’t write for any major news outlets, you are quite the “man”…
right2bright on July 7, 2010 at 6:15 PM
There are times when the Palinbots can actually be debated…then there are times when it’s best to hold your nose, shut up, and stay out of the conversation.
Do yourself a favor and put a Masterlock on your lips.
Dark-Star on July 7, 2010 at 6:19 PM
I don’t know of any Palinbots.
Every one I know that supports her has several, and usually many, damn good reasons to do so, so there’s no “bot” function to it.
What are you talking about?
What’s to debate?
You think of something substantive to debate about Palin and we’ll be glad to do so.
Jenfidel on July 7, 2010 at 6:29 PM
Nice.
Calling it “scat.” Very civil and reasoned.
That’s because you’re in the jungle of the Philippines.
Jenfidel on July 7, 2010 at 6:31 PM
Nice debating with you.
I find your ideas intriguing, how can I subscribe to your newsletter?
Brian1972 on July 7, 2010 at 6:40 PM
The media has tried to destroy her for 2 years now and they haven’t succeeded. They call her an airhead and then marvel at the strategy she has followed in positioning herself for a run in 2012.
This woman is a force, and there is a movement of people she identifies with that is going to have a big impact in November and then set it’s sights on the big prize in 2012 and beyond.
Her crtics need to find their own candidate to support before they committ too heavily against her. You are focused on her and have failed to gather any support or buzz for your own candidate. Is that really your plan to stop her? Wait until the last minute and jump on whatever mealy mouthed straggler is still standing?
I’d bet on Sarah at this point. She’s played her hand well and has laid a nice opening path in the primaries. With her book tour and many speaking engagements she has seen hundreds of thousands of people across America, often outside of large cities. She will gain additional exposure with her documentary series.
Her support is no fluke. She has earned it, and her momentum looks to continue. Looks like the media has tipped their hand. They know they can’t support Obama with a straight face or clear conscience so it will be an all out smearapalooza on Palin if she wins the nomination.
Mr Purple on July 7, 2010 at 6:41 PM
Sure Jen, fire an email when you can.
upinak on July 7, 2010 at 6:41 PM
Interesting how you say that, yet never do it.
Do as I say, not as I do is a liberal mentality.
upinak on July 7, 2010 at 6:42 PM
Bingo. On every point.
We saw this same dynamic with Reagan. The media defined him to the American public, and Carter jumped to a lead in the polls. During the campaign, the public re-evaluated and decided Reagan was better than they’d been led to believe.
The media tried to redefine Reagan during his administration, but it finally reached the point where the public started ignoring them. By the end of his administration, the media knew they’d lost the battle. I still remember fondly how frustrated the media were because nobody cared what they said about Reagan. That’s when they started calling him, “The Teflon President.”
The media has great power, but it’s not unlimited. Eventually, people make up their own minds.
tom on July 7, 2010 at 6:49 PM
Won’t just be the LSM and the Libtards out to get her…can’t wait to see what Huck, Romney and the others will attack her with. Heck, they might even get McCain (both) to join in.
Hopefully she can get Bachmann and Liz Cheney on board somehow.
Dr. ZhivBlago on July 7, 2010 at 6:53 PM
If Comcast or CNN were smart, they would challenge FNC on the right. According to polls, the breakdown is roughly 40% conservatives – 40% moderates and 20% liberals.
Moderates don’t watch political news except during the election season. FNC has 40% of the market to itself while CNN, MSNBC, the networks and PBS are fighting for 20% of the market.
FNC is successful, not because it’s good but because conservatives have no other place to go. Do you really want to see Karl Rove or Dick Morris 12 times a week or Smart Blonde/Dumb Blonde or the Body Language Lady on BOR or the Great, Great Great American Panel every night?
bw222 on July 7, 2010 at 7:04 PM
Dick Morris is a guilty pleasure…..he does have the inside dope as it were on the Clintons. That’s basically who Obama has filled his Administration with Clinton retreads.
Dr Evil on July 7, 2010 at 7:14 PM
Spot on.
Gang-of-One on July 7, 2010 at 7:17 PM
They’ve already done their damage. What they didn’t count on was that she’d come back from what they thought were her ashes. The truth of the matter is she is nothing like they make her out to be, and more and more people are finally realizing it.
SouthernGent on July 7, 2010 at 7:20 PM
And it doesn’t seem like any of them can lock down that 20% Now of that 20% how many have disposable income to buy their network’s sponsors products? When they break down their demo – just who is in that 20% demographic they are all chasing so hard?
MSNBC has a demographic that keeps “Doc Blocks” ratings up….that one always has me scratching my head. What are they spending their money on?
Dr Evil on July 7, 2010 at 7:20 PM
But, when has Dick Morris ever been right? About anything?
bw222 on July 7, 2010 at 7:28 PM
My guess is that a lot of MSNBC’s viewers still live in their parents’ basements … even those in their sixties.
bw222 on July 7, 2010 at 7:30 PM
Maybe he’s got that tingle going up his leg sensation again.
Conservative Samizdat on July 7, 2010 at 7:31 PM
You Americans are really stupid. Republicans squabbling amongst yourselves whilst Obama is destroying America.
If the trolls @ Hotair are any indication to what the American left is like then you are in a whole lot of trouble.
Crux Australis on July 7, 2010 at 7:32 PM
Don’t you have your own country to worry about?
upinak on July 7, 2010 at 7:37 PM
So what is new…they will try to destroy whoever wins the primaries…the difference is does the candidate know that they are swimming upstream while Obama swims down?
Palin has been through the refiners fire, I have confidence with her media presentation.
Conservative Voice on July 7, 2010 at 7:39 PM
Well, 52% of us are, anyway… so on average that makes us half-wits, I guess. :-P
How do you like your new PM? (sort of vaguely on-topic, since she’s female and so is Sarah Palin — and so is Chris Matthews, for that matter. Well, he’s part of a female, if you know what I mean and I think you do…)
Mary in LA on July 7, 2010 at 7:42 PM
Here is the thing, we don’t even know who is running yet…all this hand wringing over Palin winning is wasted energy
Conservative Voice on July 7, 2010 at 7:44 PM
And yes, C.A., you’re right, we are indeed in a whole lot of trouble.
Mary in LA on July 7, 2010 at 7:44 PM
BREAKING NEWS: I just felt a big Earthquake in San Diego.
SoulGlo on July 7, 2010 at 7:54 PM
Palin’s a quitter who shoots wolves from a helicopter and can see Russia from her front yard and doesn’t even know the name of one newspaper… pass it on.
profitsbeard on July 7, 2010 at 8:12 PM
just a 5.4
wake me when it is over 6.0
upinak on July 7, 2010 at 8:17 PM
That’s true O’Reilly is always betting him a dinner, that he is right and Morris is wrong, and I think O’Reilly is up right now?
I wonder if Comcast will go after more than the 20% that they are all vying for. It would actually make Fox News better – make them work sharper.
Dr Evil on July 7, 2010 at 8:18 PM
How is his view less valid?
ladyingray on July 7, 2010 at 8:20 PM
I hope that Sarah does not run in 2012. She is more of force out of office. The democrats and Chris Matthews and his crew of venom sprayers along with the rest of the media and liberals have Palin on the mind. They call her dumb and an airhead but are really scared the death of her. In regard to Chris Matthews- ever wonder what other men give him a tingle up his leg.!!!!!!!!!
flintstone on July 7, 2010 at 8:21 PM
Try is the operative word in that statement, because for nearly two years now the media have been relentlessly trying to destroy Sarah Palin, both politically and personally. The problem for them how ever is that all they have succeeded in doing is making her bullet proof to their criticism and exposing their own biased behavior to a public that was already sceptical about the impartiality of the MSM. The fact of the matter is that the media has run out of credibility with the public and couldn’t take down Sarah Palin even if they had hard evidence of her committing a major crime.
Sarah Palin is like the Road Runner, no matter what crazy scheme those self described genius coyotes in the press try to take Palin down with, she always escapes unharmed and reveals the coyotes to be the complete idiots that they really are in the process.
Hellrider on July 7, 2010 at 8:21 PM
You think our Trolls are scary? Really?
Dr Evil on July 7, 2010 at 8:22 PM
Sometimes they forget to take their Ritalin….
Dr Evil on July 7, 2010 at 8:24 PM
I was just going to say that if you haven’t lost your electricity or internet connection it can’t have been that big.
ProfessorMiao on July 7, 2010 at 8:30 PM
Well Matthews said that he was going to do everything in his power to make this precedency a success. That hasn’t turned out too well and Palin’s image is slowly being rebuilt to reflect the truth and not the SNL carricature. Time will tell as to who will still be around in ’12 Palin or MSNBC.
thomasaur on July 7, 2010 at 8:36 PM
No groups of people will be happier then the far left when/if Palin wins POTUS.
They love to hate, it’s what drives them all. They can’t go against Obama, or congress, or Hillary, or now even Patraeus.
They can’t go against Afganistan like they used to; or IRaq.
Their hatred has to be suppressed right now and it’s not natural to them.
Olbermann had 4 million viewers in ’08. Now he has less then 1 million.
So….if she wins…the pure undiluted HATRED RAGE and VENOM will make a comeback.
Everybody should know this. It’s what they do. It’s how they operate.
I’m believing more and more now that Palin will be the next POTUS. I used to kind of laugh at that. Didn’t really take that idea seriously; but now I do.
Altho I DO think, anybody will be able to beat O in ’12.
B Man on July 7, 2010 at 8:45 PM
This is the rebuttal to Chris Matthews ridiculous predictions from this video.
What is MSNBC’s Chris Matthews Thinking?
Once you watch this video, you’ll be wondering the same thing. It’s baffling.
dnlchisholm on July 7, 2010 at 8:53 PM
The issue is that there is nothing to destroy her over, unless it’s her speaking style, policies, or “image.”
And that’s fair game, I suppose. People do vote based on a lot of intangibles.
But she’s not going to make mistakes. She’s already seasoned, so the press won’t find her easy to smear.
AnninCA on July 7, 2010 at 9:17 PM
Lots of truth buried here. I think they are the rebels, so it’s habitual.
They are uncomfortable winning.
AnninCA on July 7, 2010 at 9:18 PM
So Matthews just asdmitted to the world that the LSM is biased and corrupt and sees as their job the detruction of Sarah Palin… thanks for being honest, I guess, but listen up …we already know that.
Scarborough is a joke he didn’t even question him about his statement…guess he knows it’s true too…
Sarah Palin will be the next President of the United States…she has no choice…the reason we are passionate about her is because we recognize that she is smart,not corruptable, isn’t owned by the elite or anyone, loves this country and has a deep sense of duty to stop our downward decline …we want her to be President which is why she is riding so high now!
CCRWM on July 7, 2010 at 9:21 PM
I think Sarah would need to see Obama drop a lot lower in approval ratings if she has a shot.
AnninCA on July 7, 2010 at 9:23 PM
It is very hard to determine where his polls will be in 18 months…his destructive path will more than likely drive away a large part of those who voted for him merely because thye were tired of Bush.
ladyingray on July 7, 2010 at 9:29 PM
From that site:
Um, I think Matthews is right there. Palin would win South Carolina if she were to run, and it doesn’t matter which candidate gets the endorsement of Haley or DeMint. That’s getting a little endorsement-crazy there.
ddrintn on July 7, 2010 at 9:30 PM
Or they stay home.
AnninCA on July 7, 2010 at 9:30 PM
Never ever EVER assume that.
ddrintn on July 7, 2010 at 9:33 PM
Actually, that part is easy. Part of Palin’s strategy is to wrap her own campaign into an anti-media vote.
And that’s very powerful today, given the absolutely shoddy work they are all doing, including blogs.
AnninCA on July 7, 2010 at 9:33 PM
Based on media alone? I think anti-CM or even Beck votes would garner HUGE turnout. LOL*
People hate all the divisive rhetoric going on, I’m convinced.
AnninCA on July 7, 2010 at 9:34 PM
It’s almost like this country has 2 presidents right now.
The guy we all see everyday with his nose up in the air.
And her, who everybody REALLY listens to.
When we all look back on his time in office, it’ll be 2 things: unemployment and the oil spill.
We’ll be seeing that oil spill video forever reminding us of him.
It’ll go right next to “I did…NOT….have ….sexual relations with that woman!”
B Man on July 7, 2010 at 9:34 PM
The tingle has turned into a warm trickel. Give the nasty slob a drink for getting it right for once.
RobCon on July 7, 2010 at 9:37 PM
The most positive and sanguine candidate in a Presidential race ALWAYS wins.
ALWAYS.
RobCon on July 7, 2010 at 9:38 PM
Good point, and I do like her optimism. She’s demonstrated it, which is even more to my own liking.
Everyone said she’d be “dead in the water” by resigning. She very much was an optimist.
And she was right.
AnninCA on July 7, 2010 at 9:43 PM
Americans tend to like to emasculate presidents. He may rewin the WH but then end up with a GOP legislature.
Some people like that balance.
AnninCA on July 7, 2010 at 9:45 PM
The great thing is that, though the adversary will no doubt unload in the most base and over the top fashion, if she should survive that than they have a real problem
they risk being marginalized permanently
I believe SP has the skin and claws to put a woopin on her much lesser detractors
she has integrity,accomplishment and strength that our current puss in chief can only dream of
Sonosam on July 7, 2010 at 10:10 PM
This is the kind of post you get when you spend your life living in a country that is upside down…you can kiss my down under mate…
right2bright on July 7, 2010 at 10:18 PM
Matthews considers it his job to ensure a successful Obama presidency (he said it, remember?), so I assume he also considers it his job to ensure Obama’s reelection.
And that means he’ll be out to get Palin or whoever ends up winning the GOP nomination in 2012.
But especially Palin.
DanCleary on July 7, 2010 at 10:26 PM
Sarah Palin – A ‘Cap and Tax’ Road to Economic Disaster – washingtonpost.com:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/13/AR2009071302852.html
Sarah Palin: Obama and the Bureaucratization of Health Care :
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203440104574400581157986024.html
Sarah Palin – Sarah Palin on the politicization of the Copenhagen climate conference:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/08/AR2009120803402.html
powerpro on July 7, 2010 at 10:37 PM
Because ed loves him some tingly legged guy and dreams of being a guest on his show someday.
peacenprosperity on July 7, 2010 at 10:38 PM
The entrenched principle-less, professional politicians who control the rnc would never let that happen. Palin would bring in bigtime money but then send it right back out to conservative newcomers. The scum, boehner, mcconnell, cornyn, who control the rnc don’t want that happening. They’ve got a good thing going and nancy and harry leave them alone. When was the last time anyone heard the demofascist congressional leadership go after a republican leader in congress by name?
peacenprosperity on July 7, 2010 at 10:44 PM
Ooo, Matthews will make it his life’s work to destroy Sarah Palin…I’m sure she’s quaking in her boots.
Give me a break. The more those d bags attack her, the more it helps her. Maybe that’s what they REALLY want.
Next thing you know, Rachel Maddow will be going after her…we all know that will be a bloodbath.
B Man on July 7, 2010 at 10:52 PM
CUDA
Metro on July 8, 2010 at 12:38 AM
In happier, more prosperous times it’s not so bad to have divided government because it often results in a pleasant pattern of gridlock. The less Congress “gets done,” the better.
However, we have so many awful things to fix now that we’re going to need every vote we can muster.
Not that I wouldn’t enjoy seeing Obama fall apart when his every little wish ceases to be granted by Congress.
Missy on July 8, 2010 at 1:12 AM
Butch Maddow has been secretly panting after Sarah since the GOP convention. It drives her nuts because she knows it’s an impossible dream.
platypus on July 8, 2010 at 1:31 AM
While we’re lamenting Palin’s lack of foreign policy experience (even tho, as the Governor of Alaska, she has had more exposure to foreign policy dealings than many other governors have), can someone name a president in the last 100 years who HAS had some experience in that arena before arriving at the White House? Bush, Sr.? He worked out really well. I guess you might count Eisenhower since he was a general in a foreign war. Taft was Secretary of Defense. That’s about all I can think of. How much foreign policy experience did Reagan have when he was elected? What about Clinton? I can assure you as a resident of Arkansas, there’s not a lot of call for our governor to be fraternizing with foreign heads of state. Maybe somebody from Toyota who is thinking about building a plant here, but that’s about as far as it goes.
That said, I think it’s safe to say Palin is as “experienced” in foreign policy as any other governor who has been elected president. Some of them have performed well in the arena of foreign policy (Reagan, Nixon) and some have not (Carter, Clinton). This is really an absurd litmus test, IMO. What matters is not so much how fat the resume is but what the guiding philosophy is. Palin has made hers abundantly clear. The Palin Doctrine is rather simple: We don’t coddle our enemies. That’s pretty much all I need to know.
This fanatical need some people have for their candidates to be all things to all people is simply ridiculous and not at all realistic. We need someone with LEADERSHIP SKILLS, who has the judgment necessary to select the right people for the right positions. I have faith Palin is such a person.
And count me among those who wouldn’t mind to see her name John Bolton to State. I can scarcely think of anyone better for the job.
NoLeftTurn on July 8, 2010 at 1:44 AM
It won’t be all that easy for the media if, by that time, nobody at ALL is listening to them. They lose their audience quarterly, it appears…
thebookkeeper on July 8, 2010 at 9:20 AM
I doubt that Sarah will run but I guarantee you that whoever gets her endorsement will win the primary by a landslide.
Sarah’s marketing power far exceeds anything the RNC could even dream of having.
JetBlast on July 8, 2010 at 10:28 AM
Just can’t imagine Chris saying something like this—giving away trade secrets.
Herb on July 8, 2010 at 11:16 AM
Isn’t the context here that the media will try to expose her lack of willingness and/or ability to answer simple questions in an open interview format?
This country has a strong political culture based on freedom of the press. Unlike Russia and Venezuela, our politicians are expected to openly confront the media with candor and honesty. Our system works best when the media forces candidates to grapple with difficult questions in an unscripted format, so that citizens can better judge the character, intelligence, and knowledge of those running for office.
Responding to questions and challenges from a free press represents a significant challenge to every politician. It forces candidates to prove their metal and courage under both friendly and hostile fire. Fred Thompson passed that test with flying colors. Rudy Giuliana passed that test. It’s total nonsense that queen Sarah has the right to ignore the media and basically sneer at our democratic tradition of the press holding candidates accountable.
bayam on July 8, 2010 at 11:22 AM
All the candidates you list were willing to answer questions posed by the media on an almost daily basis, especially before and during the primaries. George W. Bush was especially effective in handling the media. Despite his frequent gaffes, Bush demonstrated poise and integrity in front of the media. And Bush fully respected the role of the free press in our democracy.
bayam on July 8, 2010 at 11:27 AM
Oh crap! Did I miss the 2012 primaries?
NoLeftTurn on July 8, 2010 at 12:00 PM
The media gave the Amateur, Radical, Leftist, Marxists, Maoist, Trostkyte, Community Organizer, US citizen sueing, US trashing, Muslim praising, bowing-to-other-world-leaders, horrible speaker Barack Hussein Obama a big fat pass and a big fat kiss.
Obama had less experience than Sarah Palin, who had more executive experience than Obama, Biden, or McCain, yet Hollywood and Entertainment Industry loud mouths, the press, etc., kissed Obama’s behind and gave him a big pass, ignoring his lack of experience, yet made an issue, falsely so, out of Palin’s experience, which was superior to all three other candidates.
The media is offensive. al Qaeda should target them, but then, if that happened, the media would blame George W. Bush, Sarah Palin, Conservatives, and the Tea Party activists.
US Main Stream Media – professional lairs and spinners, with no scrupples, no morals, and just enough skill to put a few words together and betray journalistic integrity.
William2006 on July 8, 2010 at 12:47 PM
Do you people know the difference between THEIR and THERE? Good Lord.
leftnomore on July 8, 2010 at 3:32 PM
MSM: The copy machine for the radical wing of the DNC.
landlines on July 8, 2010 at 5:13 PM
I blame the infomercials which claim that babies can be taught to read before they can walk.
The problem comes when they get hold of a keyboard before their first English class…
landlines on July 8, 2010 at 5:16 PM
Sarah’s not a candidate yet, while Fred and Rudy both were when they dealt with the MSM.
Jenfidel on July 8, 2010 at 5:46 PM
Like they did with O! you mean? the MSM still hasn’t bothered to ask O! a hard question.
If you mean the great “democratic tradition” of the press really going after conservatives, then I guess you are right, there is that tradition. It would be nice to see such tradition applied to liberal politicians once in awhile. Perhaps then we would not be in this current nightmare with an incompetent, ideologue idiot as president.
Monkeytoe on July 8, 2010 at 6:07 PM
“The press should be not only a collective propagandist and a collective agitator, but also a collective organizer of the masses”. Vladimir Lenin
LarryG on July 8, 2010 at 6:54 PM
Gee Chris, how much more is left to investigate? If the state run press put just half as much effort into investigating Obama as they did Sarah, the US would not be on the skids today. In 2008 true objective journalism died in the US. And MSNBC was at the head of the Obama “thrill” list.
Wills on July 9, 2010 at 8:44 AM
The obvious answer is for Sarah to destroy the media first. Where can I sign up?
drunyan8315 on July 9, 2010 at 9:48 AM
Mitt Romney will win New Hampshire and Michigan.
I don’t know where Matthews is dreaming up otherwise.
scotash on July 9, 2010 at 11:45 AM
Comment pages: « Previous 1 … 3 4 5 6 Next »