Palin puts 'brutal' 2008 behind her, looks to 2012
Originally published Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at 1:09 p.m.
Updated Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at 2:35 p.m.
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Stumble It!WASHINGTON -- Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has put the "brutal" 2008 campaign behind her and has the next presidential race in her sights, with a flurry of national television interviews and a high-profile appearance at the Republican Governors Association meeting this week.
Palin's stepping-out has been a marked departure for a vice presidential candidate who was held to tightly controlled appearances for much of the fall campaign. She's indirectly but unmistakably put her name in play as a potential presidential candidate, saying she'll "plow through that door" if it's God's will and conditions are right.
While Republican presidential nominee John McCain has kept a low profile since last Tuesday's election, Palin has spoken forcefully to deny any responsibility for her ticket's loss. She has blamed the policies of President Bush, the handicap of representing the incumbent party and the nation's financial crisis for the GOP defeat.
"I think the economic collapse had a heckuva lot more to do with the campaign's collapse than me personally," the governor said in an interview broadcast Tuesday on NBC's "Today" show.
Palin said she resents rumors she said were spread about her and her family during the race. "I did not know that it would be as brutal a ride as it turned out to be," she said.
Her comments seemed aimed as much at the McCain operatives who have reportedly said she was ill-prepared on foreign policy and other issues as well as those who were astonished by her expensive campaign wardrobe.
Palin said she neither wanted nor asked for the $150,000-plus wardrobe the Republican Party bankrolled, and has been trying to put to rest the flap over the fancy clothing.
"I did not order up these clothes," she told NBC. "The New York stylists who were already there and already orchestrating what the wardrobe should look like. Just like they have people to figure out what the staging and the lighting and everything else, the wardrobe, I guess, was a part of that."
Palin was relatively unknown outside Alaska before McCain picked her to be his running mate in late August. She energized crowds on the campaign trail, particularly conservative voters, but drew criticism from some in the party for lacking the experience needed for the Oval Office.
Palin's role at the Republican Governors Association conference highlights her newfound popularity.
She is scheduled to speak about the GOP's future at Thursday's meeting in Miami, but starts her day with an informal news conference with reporters. She'll take questions for about 20 minutes before discussing the transition of the party with other leaders, organizers said.
Introducing her will be the chairman of the association, Texas Gov. Rick Perry.
She also has two separate interviews airing on CNN on Wednesday - one with late-night host Larry King.
Palin has been fielding questions about her political future since the campaign ended, most recently in an interview with Fox News on Monday.
"I'm like, OK, God, if there is an open door for me somewhere, this is what I always pray, I'm like, don't let me miss the open door," she said. "And if there is an open door in '12 or four years later, and if it is something that is going to be good for my family, for my state, for my nation, an opportunity for me, then I'll plow through that door."
Palin likely will have competition from other GOP governors and former governors for a 2012 White House bid. Among the potential candidates are former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who failed in his candidacy this year; Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour.
Several other Republicans are stopping later this month in Iowa, which holds the leadoff caucus in the presidential primaries.
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a one-time presidential candidate popular with conservatives, is scheduled to visit Cedar Rapids and Des Moines while on a book tour. Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal also plans to tour flood damage in Cedar Rapids and attend an Iowa Family Policy Council dinner in Des Moines.
If 2012 isn't the answer for Palin, the governor has several other options.
She could seek a second term as governor or challenge Republican incumbent Lisa Murkowski for a Senate seat in 2010. Still uncertain is the fate of Sen. Ted Stevens, who is leading in the continuing count from the election but could be ousted by the Senate for his conviction on seven felony counts of failing to report more than $250,000 in gifts, mostly renovations on his home. If Stevens loses his seat, Palin could run for it in a special election.
Community Discussion
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when our leaders won't take responsbility for their situation, how can we expect our youth to? The American people made their choice between McCain/Palin's policies and Obama/Biden's. You can make the argument it was a bad choice, but to blame the past administration for folks not voting for your policies is pathetic at best. Very proud, gov., very proud indeed. Guess when my kid tells me its not her fault that she helped beat up a girl at school because the day before there was bad lunch served I should accept that malorkey?
It's always somebody elses fault with Republicans, isn't it? It was the McCain campaign staff, it was the economy, it was Bush. Everybody is to blame but Palin herself. She has the nerve to say these things after the divisiveness she stirred up at her campaign rallies? Wow.
And at a national Republican party level: it's the immigrants, it's the Evil Libs, it's affirmative action, it's Acorn. There's always someone else to blame for one's own failures when you're a Republican. Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, et. al. have done their listeners a disservice by teaching them that it's OK to revel in their victimhood.
What happened to the 'pull yourselves up by your own bootstraps' Republican party?? I look forward to the death of this version of the Republican party so that a real conservative party might take its place...
okay this isn't that important, lets bump this story back down and bring back the Sampson Hardware story, I think Fairbanks needs to vent more frustration for this stupid move!
"I did not know that it would be as brutal a ride as it turned out to be," If she couldn't handle 10 weeks of it, how is she going to deal with the 2 years of it she will face if she runs again in 2012? Stay off the big stage, you aren't suited for it.
Oh_please, for real. My guy used to think of himself as a conservative (particularly in the economic area), and generally voted that way, but he said the last eight yrs. changed that forever. Despite the blue dress fiasco, he feels that Clinton was actually one of our better presidents when it came to fiscal responsibility. He has a masters in economics and is seriously concerned about the current economic mess. BushCo has left behind a disaster.
EXCUSE ME!!! Am I the only one who sees neglect of office here? She is off to Miami to speak for the GOP...has nothing to do with Alaska. If she wants to play footsie in hopes of taking another shot, do it on her own time. QUIT the job you were elected to do and get on with your life. We need a governor who is here working for our State. Am I off base here????
When did Lisa Murkowski become a Democrat?
Clinton said abracadabra and the dept disappeared, he said we will just start from this point and forget we ever had a debt. America has a 60 trillion dollar deficit in just eight years, well that is magic.
and then there was silence
I think everyone knew the GOP lost before they left the gate because of the problems, real and perceived, of the last 8 years. I don't believe she was placing "blame" on anything other than that fact. And you have to admit, the Dems. WERE running against GWB from the get go.
I believe it is a GOP GOVERNOR'S gathering in Miami. Everything to do with being a G.O.V.E.R.N.O.R.
And I think it was brutal and shameful how the media went after not only Gov. Palin, but her daughter, questioned if her youngest son was even Palin's child or her grandchild, her husband, her religion. That's lower than low...
I don't know what would be worse, trapped in a small room for 24 hours with queenie or Ann Coulter.
dog
Yep...Republican Governors' Association Conference.... FYI Dognabber
I enjoyed the Gov's comment that she didn't know what a brutal ride this was going to be.
I think she needs to learn a lot of things, but one lesson here is. If you want to dish it out...... be prepared to take it back, AND when it does come at you, Don't Whine about it!
I could never here or see this woman again and be a happy camper, so ya'll keep her in AK okay?
This Palin girl,she never gives herself enough credit.
Dognabber---
Did you feel the same way when Steve Cowper, Bill Sheffield or Tony Knowles were governor? They did some traveling. They might not have run for VP but I know that they belonged to Democratic Governor Associations. Hell, Cowper moved out of state about an hour after he was out of office. Were you outraged then?
If Palin runs in 2012 and somehow manages to win the Republican nomination, Obama will beat her into the ground in the general election. Yes, I agree that the focus on Palin's family this year was inappropriate, but there is no way she could be a viable candidate after all these fiascoes. If she wants the Republicans to have a decent shot, she shouldn't run.
thegoddressrocks - If you don't want to hear (correct spelling) or see Palin again, quit reading a newspaper that's out of state. REad your own newspaper. We have enough whiners in AK that we don't need ones from other states posting here.
AK_WDB - "If Palin runs in 2012 and somehow manages to win the Republican nomination, Obama will beat her into the ground in the general election." What makes you so sure that Obama is going to do such a great job in the next four years that you will want to vote for him?? He is still president-elect - he hasn't even taken office yet and you are ready to vote for him in 2012!!
glacierles: Palin just spent 2 months out of the State on NON-STATE business. This Rep.Governors meeting is not important to further Alaska's business...her attendance has one meaning..to promote herself nationally. She has more important issues to deal with here right now. OR, will she take her staff and family along at the State's expense so she can write in that it is State business and her family is invited. Priorities must be set. Alaska business first.
Well lets take a look at this - Sarah doesn't read newspapers, magazines or books... There's no requirement for literacy or smarts for the office (or we wouldn't have to have had W for 8 years), but she have to do some real fast talking for the American people to elect another dummy in that office. Just have a beer with her and Todd and don't try to push them out of their area of expertise, they'll be happier, and the nation would certainly be better off.
AND, before you comment, I am not a Democrat or Republican. How many other governors have taken so much time away from their office in the past for personal reasons not related to health. Yes, running for another office is personal business.
bobeaux - apparently you don't read newspapers, magazines or books or you would know that Sarah does. It is in print what she reads as well as in interviews. Perhaps you are the one who lacks true literacy. This woman has proved herself to be intelligent,every bit or more than our VP elect Biden. Perhaps excessive beer drinking has "burned" some of your braincells.
I thought is was interesting that Ms. Palin did not dispute the Katie Couric interview was a fair representation of her when asked by Matt Lauer. If fact when asked if it changed how the McCain camp viewed her she still said nothing about how she was misrepresented in that final cut of her interview. Interesting! Blows all of her supporters theories that ALL of the clips showing how competent she is ended up on the cutting room floor!
There is not a Republican anywhere that could have won this Presidential race. America by 2012 will not look like anything this generation and those before us have known. The democrats refused to address the illegal immagration issue, refused to develop our national resources with the tree huggers and even talked Bush into no off shore drilling. We are at the mercy of foreign governments who want us to be a third world country. It is time to end the sending us your poor, your oppressed, your terrorists. If you don't pay taxes, you don't vote. That was the way this country was set up (or at least if you didn't own land) and it's time we return to the principal of those who pay for this country should be the only ones who have the right to vote. Palin should not run for President of the USA in 2012 because if Alaskans had any sense at all they would have succeeded from this union years ago. Vogler was right. The beltway has raped Alaska. With a vote in congress they take away millions of acres of our land and deny us access to our own land. We have the resources to become a self supporting country - ever meet someone who said they voted for statehood. The current election is strong evidence that the liberals are indeed afraid of Palin. That's why they went after her and continue to do so. Her beliefs are those that brought this country to the greatest on earth. By the year 2012 if America is stupid enough to allow the congress and the President to take this country where they have vowed to do so Palin or any other person on earth will not be able to stop the destruction of America as we know it. Think of the values of a generation ago and what they are today. No one locked their homes, everyone had a gun, kids played all over the place and no one was afriad they were going to get molested or assaulted. We live in dangerous times and with the direction we are heading it's only going to get worse.
CPW
CPW by 2012 nobody will be working we will all be on welfare
CPW seceded maybe that will be successful
McCain would have won if he choose liberman. It is simple math. So yes McCain and Palin are responsible for their loss, not bush, or their party. It was their policies. The lack of taking responsbility is not a republican issue or a democrat issue, it is about honor.
thegoddessrocks: ignore beecctz, who seemed to have forgotten his/her manners. Most of us welcome lower-48ers to comment on these forums, and also to visit Alaska. I do wish our Governor would get back to work on Alaska and that the stuff our Outside friends hear would be about progress on Alaska issues.
CPW151 100 years ago Palin could not legally vote, let alone hold public office. Great values indeed.
God to Governor Palin: I have spoken to you in person. Remember the little chat we had in your kitchen a few weeks ago? I told you not to run for VP, that you were destined for another, more righteous path. But did you listen? No. I showed you other doors, pointed you away from the VP door. I gave you $150K in clothes, a nice house, multiple snowmachines, five kids, and Todd. Hey, I even arranged for you to get an early grandbaby. A son, even! I gave you a governorship and lots of oil revenue that you could use to bribe your followers with. But were you happy with all of these gifts? No. I don't know what to do with you, Sarah. I keep showing you the closed door, and you keep trying to plow through it. Enough already. Now, fly on down to Juneau, set up housekeeping in that fabulous mansion I helped the state build, and get to work on my mission: killing baby wolves and building that darned pipeline. Love, God.
CPW said: Think of the values of a generation ago and what they are today. No one locked their homes, everyone had a gun, kids played all over the place and no one was afriad they were going to get molested or assaulted.
-----
Do you mean a generation ago here in Alaska when known molesters were being assigned repeatedly to work in the villages (not my words, came from the Diocese)? The reason less people were afraid back then is partly due to the slower pace of the release of news about events like that. Now with the 24/7/365 news programs we hear about every crime that ever happened anywhere and think by tomorrow the same crime will happen to us. Just b/c people didn't "fear" it as much back then, doesn't mean that it wasn't happening. In other words, the good ol' days weren't always so good...they just look better on paper b/c not as many people talked about crime in the sensationalized way they do today.
It wasn't just the McCain ticket that lost. It was the McCain / Palin ticket that lost. Palin sounds like the current occupant of the white house. Nothing is ever her fault. It's always everyone elses fault. Caribou Barbie needs the get out of the national spotlight for a while and get back to concentrating on Alaska.
Where to start?
There are a lot of reasons why John McCain lost. Barack Obama promised 'change' (we'll see if he delivers on that) and people wanted desparately to believe in that. I hope, BTW, that he does deliver on his promise of change (change for the better) in the United States. John McCain had a history of "crossing the aisle" too many times to work with Liberal Democrats and that infuriated Conservatives in the Republican Party Base (not all of them Republican).
John McCain promised a lot of things; first less government and less spending and then he promised a 300 (was it billion?) bailout for mortgage holders. His promises were "all over the map". Many of us who voted for him did so not because we particularly liked John McCain but because he picked someone like Sara Palin as his VP. She is a conservative. Does she have shortcomings? Sure she does. I don't know what they are - and no, I don't believe the propaganda/lies of the Left - but I know she is a human being and all human beings have faults.
I don't know who first started the canard - 'moderate' RINO Republicans or Democrats - that John McCain lost because of Sara but it was and will remain a LIE of the first order. John McCain only came as close as he did because of Sara Palin; I voted for him as a clear choice as the 'lesser of two evils' and I lost because most of the Conservative Base of the Republican Party did not see her as enough to make a difference. They just didn't bother to vote. I heard a political commentator note that most Obama Supporters voted "For" him whereas most McCain Supporters were voting "Against" someone else (in this case, Obama). People who vote "for" something as opposed to voting "against" something else have an inherent advantage in the election to start with.
If Sara Palin should decide to run in 2012, her success depends on a couple of things (at the very least). First, what will Barack Obama have done in the next four years? Will the people of the United States (especially those who voted for him) still think thier vote was well spent? Will she have used the same intervening 4 years to "go to school" and learn the things that, as a "surprise VP Canadate", she didn't know? Richard Nixon, after running for President in 1960, stayed out of the race in 1964 and built his alliances and a foreign relations knowledge base before he ran again in 1968.
Ronald Reagan did something similar - he helped other Republicans in 1976 and then collected on those favors when he ran in 1980. Sara Palin's biggest shortcoming is probably her "youth and inexperience" but that's not insurmountable (Barack Obama overcame the same shortcomings in his bid for the Oval Office). She may never be president but I don't think we're done hearing about her - either here in Alaska or on the national stage.
At least George Bush was educated, he might of had some gaffs but he is a inteligent man. Palin is no Nixon and believes that men and dinosaurs coexisted on an Earth created 6,000 years ago. Nuff said guys I dont want wacos in charge of the nukes.
head scratcher? Palin helped McCain's ticket? How? By attracting conservative voters that would have, in the end, voted for him any way? Show me the numbers that Sarah attracted independents. I'd luv to see them.
I can't give national statistics but I can offer up some personal facts. Most of my family, including myself, are Independents and although I never considered voting for McCain, several members of my family had decided to vote for him early on, prior to Ms. Palin joining his ticket. When Senator McCain chose Ms. Palin he lost all of their votes. None of them felt she was knowledgeable or experienced enough to be, and I hate all of these over used media slogans but here goes, "one 72 yr old's heartbeat away from the presidency." I can't tell you for sure that nationally she hurt his ticket (though I'm sure there are stats somewhere) but I know on a personal level that was the consensus.
Many many reasons I do NOT support our governor but from all the people that I know that voted Democrat this year did so because of Palin. And if you read the comment boards and blogs everywhere there are many people who did not vote the McCain/Palin ticket because of his choice of running mate. Many of you will not admit it just like Palin.
The poll numbers went down right after the "pallin' around with terrorists" comment, and people were really tired of the negative BS, but the number one reason I've heard people didn't vote for McCain/Palin ticket was not only Palin's inexperience, but her lack of knowledge about national and world affairs as well. When asked about vital policy questions, she either got that 'doe in the headlights' look, or talked in meaningless sound-bite circles, and with the internet and all, people just can't get away with knowing so little anymore.
I didn't vote for her because she believes a trillion dollar invasion/occupation for oil based on lies told by the Shrub and his Dick is "God's plan." The woman is every bit as whacked as Bush. Now she blames him for their loss. What a joke! She backed everything he said and did, then blamed his policies for making them lose. She's really good at talking out of both sides of her mouth, but the substance of her words sounds as if it's coming from another orifice. Sorry Sarah, but you really are full of it!
Like what you had to say Doug. Much of it echoes what I have said in earlier posts on various blogs following the election. If Sarah wants to run she does need to educate herself further. I won't comment further at this point because we truly have no idea what the next couple of months are going to bring in regards to her position. Hell, she may be Senator Palin in a couple of months.
Dantheman...,
I don't know whether Sara believes dinosaurs and man co-existed at the same time - all I know is that the left-wing press said she believed that. She might believe that but I haven't seen a clip where she admitted that herself. And, until I hear it from her own lips, I don't believe what the Left-Wing Blogosphere regurgitates. BLUF, I really wouldn't care if she did believe that, Barack Obama is now my president and he believes a lot more stuff that I don't agree with...
Chewtoy,
She drew Conservative Voters to McCain who either mightn't have voted for him otherwise. That was my status 6 months ago; torn between 'holding my nose to vote for him' and not voting at all. I voted for him only because of Sara. I suspect there were others who voted for him for the same reason (but not enough).
nofanofpalin,
"...although I never considered voting for McCain, several members of my family had decided to vote for him early on, prior to Ms. Palin..." This is both anecdotal and subjective; you admit you were never going to vote for McCain in the first place and I have only your second-hand word that 'they' were going to vote for McCain. My guess is that as an "Independent" you fall into the category that the news media like to refer to as "Moderates"
OK, maybe they would have voted for McCain and then again, maybe they wouldn't have. The Conservatives also fall into two categories; those who changed their minds after Sara Palin and decided to take a chance on voting for him and those who didn't know anything about Sara (or believed the crap the news media spread about her and) were not going to vote for McCain no matter what.
SandyAK,
"(F)rom all the people that I know that voted Democrat this year did so because of Palin..." Please not my response to nofanof.. (above); I don't doubt that many (if not all) of the people you know who voted for Obama did so because of a number of reasons but I don't believe Sara Palin was chief among the reason. I do believe that at least 51 percent of the people who did vote for McCain did so because of Sara Palin. That means that, had he not chosen her as his running mate, he would have lost by a number of voters at least as significant as those who said they would have voted for him before he chose Palin.
The Conservatives would have stayed out of the race almost completely; as it was, the last I heard McCain missed Barack Obama's vote talley by about 3 million votes. If more of the Conservative Base could have been convinced to vote for him (inspite of his record of 'compromising' with the Democrats who almost never 'compromise' in return), the difference in those Conservative Voters would, I believe, have more than balanced the talley of those 'moderates' to went to Obama.
twodecades,
I'd like to see her as a US Senator but not in the near future. If she pulls what I think you're referring to; a 'Frank Murkowsk' Special Appointment by appointing herself pending a special election, it would kill her chances (I think) of taking it permanently in a special election. I think the 'backlash' would kill her national political career as surely as an abortion kills a 'fetus'...
Well, it seems that Gov.Sarah, has learned some of the truth. It is a brutal fight in professional politics. It is the way politics works, and if you think that was brutal, try making decisions that could cost others their lives. be glad you didn't get elected. It is not all " sunshine, lollypops and roses". but remember as you schmooze with all the other Republican governors at the conference, they are/ will be your competition! And so it goes. I expect Andrew B. to arrive any moment now to start his usual tirade about middle names and "nads"
As for my fellow posters ,it has be enlightening to hear your thoughts tonight. You have all behaved real well, kudos to you. Spend a monent tonight remembering our Veterans... Stay Frosty
not interested in our humble opinions. Someone in the lower 48 must have done a poll on how palin affected folks view of the McCain ticket.
My feeling was more that she might run Doug. I should have stated my thought more clearly given that appointing herself in the interim is a possibility.
I agree that it would likely be political suicide to appoint herself. We've been down that road, or at least a road that looked the same. However, if she decided to run during the 60 to 90 days, that would be different. Now mind you that is not at all what I WANT to see happen. It is just another of a myriad of possibilities that are likely to present themselves in the coming months and those that are stating things as fact regarding her, or Ted for that matter, are a bit premature. That was my point
The more criticism heaped on Gov Palin by doris, sandy, chewtoy, tok, and others who claim that Palin caused McCain to lose (and Obama to win), the more convinced I am that the fear is palpable. I know that none of you claim to be liberals (who wants to be known as a liberal?), but are progressives, moderates, or really kind of conservative. You only want what would be best for Republicans in the future. It's obvious how sincere that you are, and generous with your advice.
I don't know if it will be Palin in 4 years running. Maybe Romney. Maybe Gendel. Maybe somebody we haven't heard of yet. But, if Republicans learned nothing else this election, I pray that we learned not to nominate a moderate famous for reaching across the aisle. Even if he is a bona fide American hero.
I hope that we learned not to listen to the advice of Democrats as to who we pick to run. Not to listen to the media either. I'd prefer to go back to 1980 and 1984, when we won landslide victories on conservative principles. Those values still resonate with the voters, or they might after 4 years of an Obama Administration.
I suggest closed primaries, also.
shes the closest thing to a jekyll and hyde personality ive ever seen.
waging a constant campaingn to "take down" investigator wooten, who because of her public remarks has received threatnening phone calls,to shell seek higher office again if its gods well.
who would ever elect such a wingnut to governor.now that her and toad have endangered wootens life,maybe theyll be happy , but i doubt it.
to bad the personell board is such a bunch of wimps that they wont take action even tho a human life has been endangered by the governors reckless lies.http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/ 'Troopergate' Trooper Now Pushing Paper After
Palin's public comments, trooper hit with threatening phone calls. i guess that her personality goes well with meghan stapleton described by bloggers as "the biggest joke in alaska"
good luck alaska
Hmmmmm...better watch Leno tonite alhough I am not a fan of his. McCain apparantly will say that Sarah had nothing to do with him losing the campaign, just the opposite, she was an inspiration. Perhaps you sqwakers should hear it straight from the horses mouth. I can't wait for the spins tomorrow from you Palin haters tho. Should be a laugh riot.
i got sick of her disparaging obama all the time. shes a natural since shes been doing this and worse to ex brother in law for years now.hopefully he will not be in danger from the threats hes received as a result of her comments.
beecotz..... Thank you for the correction in my misuse of here and hear. To much wine (no, not whine)
I not only read my local paper I read newspapers from all over the US, UK and Europe. Might I suggest you do the same? You'll find your Governor, other then the far right, not well thought of. The fact that she is now whining about how she was treated unfairly, that people said things that just aren't truthful makes you wonder just how long her memory is. She knew she was spewing lies, didn't bother her in the least. Makes you wonder just how low she would go to get a job, doesn't it?
Glow.... Thank you for the welcome. I lived many years off the Steese and in Delta. My kids are Alaska born and go back as they still have family in Fairbanks. I myself prefer shorts and sandals during winter so ended up in much warmer climes. I don't have moose in my backyard anymore but I do get to see clear aqua ocean every morning.
Ya'll enjoy her....... WE don't want her!
Doug in Salcha ~ I have no reason to get on here and fabricate stories, it's a waste of time and time is much too precious to me. I was only relaying what my experiences were with why people I know chose not to vote for the McCain/Palin ticket. Now do with that as you wish. As far as being called a "Moderate" I guess that depends on your definition. I imagine voting based on the candidate as opposed to voting for a party could be considered "weird" by some but I much prefer looking at all of the issues important to me, where each candidate stands on those issues, then thinking and ultimately deciding for myself. Weird, I know!
nofanofpalin,
I would like to be able to vote for a candidate (rather than the party); I come from a family that has voted 'SouthernDemocrat' since Reconstruction following the Civil War. There used to be Democrats that were Conservative. I don't know what happened to them all. I'm told that 'Blue Dog' Democrats are supposed to be Conservative but they appear to side more often with Democrats than with Republicans when issues are Conservative.
Don't get me wrong, Republicans seem to have 'lost their conservative compass' in recent years but the Democrats lost their decades ago. What I really wish was that the two parties didn't have such a 'lock' on politics because, sometines, the best choice is a third party candidate (who doesn't have the proverbial 'Snowball's Chance in Hell' of getting elected).
glacierles :Do you know what you call a far left liberal?
A liberterian.
Do you know what you call a far right conservative?
A liberterian.
So if ya want to call be a lib(erterian) that is alright by me. For my main concern is liberity. Liberity to own fire arms and to have the legal right to protect my family, liberity to have a right to privacey, liberity to marry who ever the hebagebza I want, liberity for my neighbors to do what they want with their bodies. And so on down the road. It is a mockery of common sense how being a fan of liberty in this great country of ours is now considered an insult. By all account the statue of liberity and the liberity bell and everything Jefferson ever wrote should be smelted and burned as being liberal propoganda. oy vey. One can speak their mind about an employee-and don't you ever forget that Sarah is our employee, without being called a hater. well ta ta off to reheat some tortillina and salmon I cooked up last night. Call it liberal food if ya want. Liberal, hee,hee, do you know during world war two they called saurkraut liberity cabbage? Oh now such was be a dirty words, a regular insult.
Doug ~ I guess it comes down to the least of two evils for all of us. I can't speak for you but I know not any one candidate is ever going to represent everything important to me but the best I can do is vote according to my conscience and pray to God it is the best choice not only for me but for my country.
chewtoy---
I think that your political graph is flawed. Extreme far left is anarchy. Extreme far right is totalitarianism. Libertarianism is definitely inside both of those boundaries.
Whatever gave you the sense that I was trying to take your liberty from you? Because I would dare to reply to a statement that I found lacking in sense or truth?
Excuse me, Mr Libertarian-Above-it All. We are both entitled to our opinions. I don't giving a flying rock if you're a libertarian or a librarian.
And maybe use a dictionary and some grammar, next time. Or is that against your libertarian principles?
Just get her back here to deal with OUR problems (for the rest of her term):
Oil revenues depressed.
Copper mines versus Salmon
Killing baby wolves.
Wolves terrorizing baby caribou
Worst (almost) education system in the country.
Worst (almost) healthcare in the country.
Permanent fund losses.
AGIA DOA.
Magnified bush village energy crisis.
What's telling is that she has more coverage by People and Vogue magazines than New York Times or Wall Street Journal. Her appeal is as vacuous as her curiosity. Thankfully the electorate could see that and elected a ticket with some mental horsepower and vision for the 21st century.
Poor Sarah...so misunderstood. Those mean old bullies keep picking on her - the cowards, the jerks! I guess that being a GOP VP candidate is SORT OF like being an actual candidate, except actual VP candidates have a ghost of chance at winning and actually help their running mates to do so. How many more interviews will she hold in her home to show the world how folksy and down to earth she is? How many more meals will she serve up - and will they eat anything besides moose, salmon and halibut? And how many times must we hear about mistreated she was, and how she never did any of those things of which she's been accused? The lady doth protest too much, methinks.
A group of anonymous liberals debating the evils of Palin and the conservatives does not interest me. But I will tell you this, Palin or someone like her, will represent the Republican Party for the next election or the conservatives will start their own party.
Roadtrip, what anonymous liberals are you talking about? Those attacking Palin are from within her own party. And I personally hope she does run in the next election... she's entertaining as heck, and all the guys go gaga for her. Plus, and also, it's fun watching her wink, and I love all the folksy language - reminds me my grammy from Minnesota, and also... um... I'll get back to ya on that.
roadtrip,
If the "conservatives" start a new party then that would be the best news we've had in a long time. They'll get the 26 % percent that supports dubya now.
Like I said, not interested.
But just interested enough to see if anyone responded! Bwa bwa hahaha
Well I can say for certain that MY grammy in Minnesota is a whole lot more intelligent than our gidget. Perhaps Sarah should just eat a piece of humble pie and keep her mouth shut.
And I quote, "A vote for McCain is a vote for four more years of the same failed policies of George Bush." "McCain = Bush."
Very effective...kinda like "two all beef patties special sauce lettuce cheese pickels onions on a sesame seed bun".
To be fair, I don't remember hearing much about Palin in the $640 million dollar onslaught from the Obama campaign. Except from the paid bloggers on the great and mighty DNM website.
For a loser, Gov. Palin certainly is in high demand from all of the media types looking to boost their ratings. She must have one heck of "Q" rating right now.
I for one don't give a damn about social conservatism. I have zero interest in dictating who marries who, religion in the schools, family values etc etc etc. If the Republican party EVER wants my vote again they will stop this god damn deficit spending like there is no tomorrow and make good decisions about our economy. This means giving companies tax cuts for pulling their factories OUT of China and putting them back HERE in stead of visa versa! Making sure they get tax breaks for keeping employees hired HERE and not freaking India. This also means not getting involved in every ideological conflict around the world and blowing up other peoples countries in "shock and awe" preemptive strikes and then spending billions rebuilding them in our own image. The last true conservative, and that for me means fiscal conservative (there is no other kind!) was probably Goldwater. Until that time the GOP can just hunker down in the church someplace and preach morality to someone who gives a damn. It will not be me who votes for them..
I have friends living in Europe, and they point out to me links like this youtube to show what they think about "fumblementalism" and American Foreign Policy----
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-jLUlG_l...
Fumblementalists when elected to office tent to confuse and conflate their actions when conducting the business of state..
then the overflowing mendacity leaks out all over the place.
The public is more easily duped when personalities like Ann Coulter tells fibs&whoppers and little-white-lies...
mere sockpuppet shills for the powerbrokers.
Just because the girls are cute doesn't mean they're "gifted angels"..
..I learned this the hard way more than once, it's harder for young peckerwoods like I once was.
[some angels are really witches with multiple personality character disorder, especially dangerous when aggravated by drug abuse]
The Media-investigation/expose of AGIA curbing-bids misses the mark a little, there was other forms of cherry-picking involved too...
The assumption that "a big steel megapipe is the only way to ship gas" eliminated several other architectural design options.
The AGIA process was hardly "open and transparent" when a big eastcoast law firm [Greenberg Traurig] is tasked to manage the selection of consultants and ghostwrites the analysis of the technical reports inside the selection process.
The $40billion figure was largely pulled out of thin air, just like the $700billion figure for the bank bailouts was pulled out of thin-air.
...it's not just a pipeline, it's a politically motivated "put the blue-collars to work" jobs project..
and it's a North American Union New World Order NAFTA world class swindle project too.
"We're so big because we made you so small" with our magic money machine.
The Bank-Busters know that every bubble eventually pops..
..the rest is a Hollywood Illusion.
Ego and Celebrity is an illusion too..
don't be fooled, an elephant can be led around by the nose with a thread.
lfreeman,
"If the "conservatives" start a new party then that would be the best news we've had in a long time. They'll get the 26 % percent that supports dubya now."
You may be right about the 26% number but I think you've underestimated the percentage of conservatives in this nation significantly. I think conservatives - true conservatives - approach (and may even surpass) the 50% number in this nation.
I voted for GWB also as the "Lesser of two evils" and I suspect that there were some conservatives who refused to vote for him even when the alternative was Al Gore or John Kerry (clearly the worst of the choices in either case in my opinion). If we get a truly conservative candidate (which will take some preparation and ground work on the part of the RNC and is certainly not guaranteed), I believe there will be a groundswell of support as was the case with Ronald Reagan and it will be the Democrat Nominee who looses by a margin of 26% (or more)...
mrrogers...As IF disparaging doesn't go on on both sides in a campaign. If you are referring to Obama getting death threats, he was getting them long before Palin came into the picture. If you are referring to her ex-brother-in-law being threatened.... guess the shoe is on the other foot!
To those of you who have a problem with Palin campaigning for a couple of months rather than being on site in AK....you must really have a problem with Obama being a Senator and spending more time campaigning than in the Senator role.
DiogensFBX, that was a shrewd comment about Coulter--yea you're right Ann and Sarah have a lot in common--hate mongering! I believe the Republican party has to be more inclusive and forward thinking -- not just a mouthpiece for the more right wing aspect of the party if it is to survive
thanks Glow. btw, maybe I missed it here -- you all heard how upset the Guv was that she didn't get to give a concession speech? it's never been done, but she thought she could be the first: "Aides to her running mate, Senator John McCain, told her it was not customary for the No. 2 to speak, she said. 'But, you know, I thought, even if it was unprecedented, so what, you know?' Ms. Palin told Mr. Lauer. 'Geez, let’s do something a little bit out of the box there.'"
And then there's this: "Ms. Palin said she wanted to introduce Mr. McCain on election night in order to 'brag him up,' as she put it, 'and do what John McCain just can’t seem to do for himself, bless his heart.'"
OK, yesterday I said that too many people were being too hard on her. But I wish she would just be quiet. I may not have voted for him, but Sen. McCain was doing great things for this country when Sarah Palin was in diapers. On the night when he just experienced a very difficult defeat, he sure as hell doesn't need HER to "brag him up"!!!!!!!
AKbearable..Well Said..
Still no sign of Andrew B., the big fishnet must have worked. 8-)
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