Why Sarah Palin?

[max]

Can any Republican here tell me why and how the GOP feels she has much to offer? I'm missing it.

I can appreciate that the mass media, largely liberal and even more so looking for a spectacle, like her presence.

But why isn't the GOP digging into itself and producing good experienced candidates?

Serious input sought.

-----
(a) I'm not "trolling", and
(b) don't bother posting if you just want to knock Palin. The question's what's she got that people think is fabulous.

 

[hollywood9826]

Before she took the VP nomination her Approval rating in Alaska was over 90%. That is unheard of regardless of the state.

Her work in Alaska was very good and she fit with that staes mentality pretty well. McCains people never gave her a chance to be herself so most americans dont really know what shes capable of. The probably know more about Palin from watching Tina Fey then looking at her track record in Alaska. She made some stupid decisions, but what politician doesnt.


To know why the GOP isnt producing experienced candidates. Well experience doesnt win elections anymore. Mass appeal wins elections. And those experienced would rather lay low in the house or senate and line thier own pockets then take a chance at somebody digging up some dirt on them.

 

[JackB1]

I hope she runs in the next election. Would make for another easy Dem. victory. Who is going to be her running mate? Katy Frejean?

 

[Philsthrills]

But why isn't the GOP digging into itself and producing good experienced candidates?

They probably figure that it worked for the Dems in the last election...

 

[YULitle]

I thought the problem with the last general election campaign was that they let her speak her mind too much... Isn't that the consensus? I mean, she went on a number of prime-time interviews and made a fool of herself. She just came across as an idiot. I'm not saying she is an idiot. Far from it. Some people just have poor interviewing skills, and she hardly had the experience beyond the kind of cookie-cutter questions that beauty pageant contestants get.

Why can't they look beyond her? Who is there to look beyond at? Bobby Jindal? The base would vote for a non-white republican, but they wouldn't get excited about it. Huckabee? Perhaps. But he's the Edwards of the GOP. Over-saturated in these contests.

The real leaders of the GOP right now are on Fox News and talk-radio. Without those two mediums to clarify and focus the GOPs message, they would be in much worse shape than the terrifying likelihood of "Sarah Palin '12."

 

[FedererForehand]

Sarah Palin only has the support of a few extreme righties. If she decided to run in 2012, she'll be exposed for her lack of exoperience by Romney, Pawlenty (my choice!), Jindal and others.

The leaders of the GOP are way to smart to let her be their voice of the party. She has only been a lead speaker at one semi-prominent GOP gatherinng while others are constantly speaking and getting their name out there.

 

[RealityPolice]

Can any Republican here tell me why and how the GOP feels she has much to offer? I'm missing it.

I can appreciate that the mass media, largely liberal and even more so looking for a spectacle, like her presence.

But why isn't the GOP digging into itself and producing good experienced candidates?

Serious input sought.

-----
(a) I'm not "trolling", and
(b) don't bother posting if you just want to knock Palin. The question's what's she got that people think is fabulous.

The reason(s) the conservatives are still interested in Palin is that she's got the sort of bootstrappy, self-made appeal they were going for in '08. She's sort-of an anti-elite, which was the contrast they were (incorrectly) looking for viz Obama. She is, in a way, the same sort of cowboy figure they liked in Bush; never mind the fact that her folksy accent and common-man appeal is as phony as Pam Anderson's boobs, she fits the image of what they want. Her stances on issues also square with the social conservative mindset as represented by the Teabaggers.

As for why the Republicans aren't looking for experienced leadership: they don't really have much that isn't a) intimately connected somehow to the Bush administration (and therefore is seen as a remnant of a very low point in American history), or b) somehow damaged goods (eg. Gingrich). Olympia Snowe would be a good choice, but she isn't conservative enough for the fringe elements that seem to have hijacked the party. IMO, the Republicans are going to have to bank on Romney for '12, as he seems the only really solid candidate they have prepped already--and his Mormon background will likely be unpalatable to a lot of the fundamentalists in the Republican base.

/(sadly, ex-)Alaskan

 

[FedererForehand]

The reason(s) the conservatives are still interested in Palin is that she's got the sort of bootstrappy, self-made appeal they were going for in '08. She's sort-of an anti-elite, which was the contrast they were (incorrectly) looking for viz Obama. She is, in a way, the same sort of cowboy figure they liked in Bush; never mind the fact that her folksy accent and common-man appeal is as phony as Pam Anderson's boobs, she fits the image of what they want. Her stances on issues also square with the social conservative mindset as represented by the Teabaggers.

As for why the Republicans aren't looking for experienced leadership: they don't really have much that isn't a) intimately connected somehow to the Bush administration (and therefore is seen as a remnant of a very low point in American history), or b) somehow damaged goods (eg. Gingrich). Olympia Snowe would be a good choice, but she isn't conservative enough for the fringe elements that seem to have hijacked the party. IMO, the Republicans are going to have to bank on Romney for '12, as he seems the only really solid candidate they have prepped already--and his Mormon background will likely be unpalatable to a lot of the fundamentalists in the Republican base.

/(sadly, ex-)Alaskan

Tim Pawlenty will beat out Romney... mark my words. And most level headed Republicans feel the same way about Palin as do Democrats.

 

[RealityPolice]

Tim Pawlenty will beat out Romney... mark my words. And most level headed Republicans feel the same way about Palin as do Democrats.

Pawlenty seems to be a decent choice, at least. The campaign will certainly give him a chance to win people over.

The key to your second phrase is "level-headed." Unfortunately, the level-headed Republicans seem unwilling to take back their party from the fringe.

/not getting further into political discussion

 

[competition]

Republicans don't want Palin around. She is going to force all the republicans running for president to go more right wing extream and say things or take positions on issues they normally wouldn't. Then when it comes to the general election the republican is going to be screwed because of all the crazy positions they took in the primary. I hope she runs, this "book tour" is just the start!!

 

[LuckyR]

Can any Republican here tell me why and how the GOP feels she has much to offer? I'm missing it.

I can appreciate that the mass media, largely liberal and even more so looking for a spectacle, like her presence.

But why isn't the GOP digging into itself and producing good experienced candidates?

Serious input sought.

-----
(a) I'm not "trolling", and
(b) don't bother posting if you just want to knock Palin. The question's what's she got that people think is fabulous.

Seriously, she seems to embody the views of the wing of the party that has sway right now.

 

[max]

I like REalityPolice's answer about the folk-appeal; that helps. I know more women who are like Sarah Palin than a Hilary Clinton. More emotionally accessible to the electorate. I know nothing about Pawlenty. I don't see the so-called "Teabaggers" as being socially conservative; to me they're libertarian anti-government types with just a modest notion ...no, I'll stop there.

 

[jazzyfunkybluesy]

I really hope she runs and wins her primary that will keep the Republicans inert for sure.

 

[FedererForehand]

What I think is funny is that it seems like Democrats are far more concerned about Palin that Republicans are. Us "normal" republicans already know she's not a threat and will be walked over in the primaries and in the debates. She'll be gone soon enough.

 

[YULitle]

What I think is funny is that it seems like Democrats are far more concerned about Palin that Republicans are. Us "normal" republicans already know she's not a threat and will be walked over in the primaries and in the debates. She'll be gone soon enough.

I sure hope so. I don't want to have to settle for the other guy again. I would love to see a Romney or Huckabee(sans all the hee-haw-backward-ass-christian crap)

 

[FedererForehand]

I sure hope so. I don't want to have to settle for the other guy again. I would love to see a Romney or Huckabee(sans all the hee-haw-backward-ass-christian crap)

I actually really like Huckabee a lot. He seems to talk to much common sense though for Washington IMO. I just don't think he can garner enough support. He would be tied for my first choice along with Pawlenty for the nomination followed by Jindal and Romney.

 

[YULitle]

I actually really like Huckabee a lot. He seems to talk to much common sense though for Washington IMO. I just don't think he can garner enough support. He would be tied for my first choice along with Pawlenty for the nomination followed by Jindal and Romney.

He talks really plainly about the economy and it falls fairly well in line with my views. I just don't like some of his social-conservative stances. But, I guess that's the libertarian's dilemma. Especially a "liberal-tarian" like myself. Still, I think I'd be wiling to look past that for Huckabee. He can actually form thoughts and uses complete sentences. 2-0 Huckabee vs. Palin

 

[max]

I guess I see Huckabee as having a good leadership style and involving the people around him in his work: didn't see that in McCain or the Mormon guy. Personable and I think he's intelligent. He strikes me as the kind of guy who would actually BE moderate, rather than just SAY he's moderate for the cameras. Bobby Jindal, too, looks very good, but he needs to get out there.

I just can't imagine who buys these Sarah Palin type books: they've got a huge print run, a serious cover price and they gave her a mega-advance. I never read this kind of stuff, for obvious reasons.

 

[YULitle]

Bobby Jindal, too, looks very good, but he needs to get out there.

Except for the whole exorcism thing... wtf? He's a nutter.

 

[heycal]

Huckabee(sans all the hee-haw-backward-ass-christian crap)

I do think Huckabee may be the man to beat, and could possibly beat Obama. At least, I think that now that enough time has passed that I've forgotten how and why he did poorly the last time he ran.

Except for the whole exorcism thing... wtf? He's a nutter.

Refresh my memory of what this refers to?

Can any Republican here tell me why and how the GOP feels she has much to offer? I'm missing it.

But why isn't the GOP digging into itself and producing good experienced candidates?

The question's what's she got that people think is fabulous.

You speak as if there is some cabal of leaders in the party orchestrating all this, tapping Palin as their candidate, and are capable of manipulating everything.

It's more simple than that. Palin is putting herself out there and some people respond to her. What do you want the leadership to do about it? Stop her by an means necessary, and then force other guys to step up and do their bidding?

It's a free market, Max. If she has the goods and the voters like her, she will rise to the top. If not, she will flop. I don't think the GOP should try and influence that too much one way or another, and I don't think they are.

 

[YULitle]

Refresh my memory of what this refers to?

http://swampland.blogs.time.com/2008/06/11/jindals_exorcism/

 

[Nanshiki]

They picked her because they thought she could help them win the election...it was pure political maneuvering; engineered, test-grouped, and surveyed just like a product or a movie is.

But they were wrong... she helped lose the election.

Although she's attractive, she's simply not very intelligent (despite her Tina Fey glasses), and her politics, her beliefs are very turn-offish for moderates and libertarians.

Oh, and she's bat-**** insane.

 

[heycal]

http://swampland.blogs.time.com/2008/06/11/jindals_exorcism/

Thanks.

Not much here, really. I'm sure Palin could run circles around him in the nutty religious beliefs department.

 

[YULitle]

Thanks.

Not much here, really. I'm sure Palin could run circles around him in the nutty religious beliefs department.

Maybe it's just me, but I find exorcism to be about as crazy as ritualistic animal sacrifices and rain dances.

 

[heycal]

Maybe it's just me, but I find exorcism to be about as crazy as ritualistic animal sacrifices and rain dances.

Yes, but he's just reporting what he saw, and nothing he claims he did or thought while witnessing this event sounded that crazy to me. I mean, I would expect one to to have some reaction to being around something like that.

 

[Bhagi Katbamna]

She has a really broad appeal. The only reason McPain was even close was the enthusiasm that she generates among the base. And the only way the GOP is going to win is to embrace conservatism because this country is basically conservative(recent Gallup poll). When the GOP runs so-called moderates(of which McPain is the prototype) they get their clock cleaned. Also, you can tell who is going to cause the most trouble for dems because the media try to destroy that person.

 

[heycal]

She has a really broad appeal. .

No she doesn't.

She has a really broad appeal. The only reason McPain was even close was the enthusiasm that she generates among the base.

For every vote she brought the ticket, she probably lost it two.

And the only way the GOP is going to win is to embrace conservatism because this country is basically conservative(recent Gallup poll).

I feel sorry for you poor folks who keep citing this silly poll... If Obama can win big in a "conversative" country, then what good does it do you?

Also, you can tell who is going to cause the most trouble for dems because the media try to destroy that person.

A) The media is not trying to destroy Palin, and B) Any media "attacks" on Palin are because she's an easy and fun target.

 

[YULitle]

For every vote she brought the ticket, she probably lost it two.

Count me amongst the lost votes. :? Freakin' nut-bag. If only OK had a third party candidate on the ballot.... I wouldn't have had to make such a concession.

 

[heycal]

Count me amongst the lost votes. :? Freakin' nut-bag..

I hope that other poster and members of the right continue to make the same mistake, by equating enthusiastic support for broad support. Palin is pretty fringe and will never have broad appeal.

 

[YULitle]

I hope that other poster and members of the right continue to make the same mistake, by equating enthusiastic support for broad support. Palin is pretty fringe and will never have broad appeal.

She DOES have fringe support! How quickly people forget the openly racist actions of her "enthusiastic" followers. Her political rallies often resembled Walgreen's-variety klan meetings.

 

[fruitytennis1]

As long as Palin doesnt run as vp behind Pawlenty(the probably canidate) republicans might have a very very low chance of winning. No help from me; my vote is going democratic. Wait I cant vote can I....

Ahhh if only this country was (properly) educated republicans would never win.

 

[YULitle]

As long as Palin doesnt run as vp behind Pawlenty(the probably canidate) republicans might have a very very low chance of winning. No help from me; my vote is going democratic. Wait I cant vote can I....

Ahhh if only this country was (properly) educated republicans would never win.

If the country were properly educated we'd have a third party candidate win, and not one of the two so-called protectors of liberty

 

[heycal]

Walgreen's-variety klan meetings.

Another nice turn of phrase from you tonight.

 

[Bhagi Katbamna]

I feel sorry for you poor folks who keep citing this silly poll... If Obama can win big in a "conversative" country, then what good does it do you?

When the country discovered how much of a radical leftist Zerobama really is, they have been handing him losses. There is no way a dem should lose the governor's race in deep blue New Jersey. But Corzine lost. He even had the Zero campaign for him numerous times.

I remember leftist idiots on TV in 2008 crowing how Virginia was going to be blue(dem) for generations. How did that work out just one year later?

 

[Bhagi Katbamna]

She DOES have fringe support! How quickly people forget the openly racist actions of her "enthusiastic" followers. Her political rallies often resembled Walgreen's-variety klan meetings.

Amaizing that leftist project their own racist feelings on others. For example, the only sign of racism in the healthcare protests was the SEIU union thugs sent by Zerobama beating up a black conservative.

http://christopherfountain.com/2009...led-black-protester-******-while-beating-him/


Joe Biden has demonstrated his racism more than once and yet it's the conservatives who are called racists. Go figure.

 

[YULitle]

Amaizing that leftist project their own racist feelings on others. For example, the only sign of racism in the healthcare protests was the SEIU union thugs sent by Zerobama beating up a black conservative.

http://christopherfountain.com/2009...led-black-protester-******-while-beating-him/


Joe Biden has demonstrated his racism more than once and yet it's the conservatives who are called racists. Go figure.

Excuse me? I'm racist? On what grounds?! You can't just go around calling people racist, Me or Joe Biden, without some proof.

And where on that police report does it say that Obama "sent" those men to beat that man? Where does it say that those men were sent by the SEIU?

 

[ubermeyer]

Something is really wrong with her.

 

[max]

Something is really wrong with her.

This is the most compelling thing that I've read here so far. It's worth thinking over.