Saturday, November 29, 2008

Palin: The Next Chapter


I like Sarah Palin. She has good values and great courage. I've been impressed with what she has been able to accomplish in Alaska. She has shown that she will do what's right, even if it is inconvenient, and even when it requires confrontation with her own party. Unlike a senator from Arizona who will remain nameless, Palin is a maverick for all the right reasons.

Palin's ability to energize the conservative base is quite impressive and her natural political talents are
outstanding. Conservatives will not soon forget what she said at the RNC: "...Here's a little news flash for all those reporters and commentators: I'm not going to Washington to seek their good opinion - I'm going to Washington to serve the people of this country. Americans expect us to go to Washington for the right reasons, and not just to mingle with the right people." The way Palin delivered those words was very inspiring, and it was obvious that she meant every word. She declared war when she gave that speech, and she stoically paid the price when "those reporters and commentators" came at her with all their slings and arrows.

Palin will be a tremendous asset to the conservative movement for many years to come. Early next week, Palin will be
travelling to Georgia to campaign on behalf of Georgia Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss. This is good news. I think it shows that Republicans know they need to reach out to the conservative base. I think it also shows that Repulicans are ready to put Palin's talents to good use where they are most likely to helpful. If there is anyone who can help turn out the conservative base, in a close race, in a red state, where conservative turnout is likely to tip the scales, Sarah Palin is the one.

Having said all that, I don't think Palin is ready to lead this nation, and I doubt that she will be ready in four short years. Palin has the experience, knowledge and intelligence to take the lead on some issues (such as energy policy), but she is not prepared to lead on issues such as macroeconomics, the supreme court, and foreign policy. Palin needs to take time to cultivate her thinking on a wider range of issues.

Palin also needs more time to hone her communications skills. Yes, the way Palin was treated by the likes of Charlie Gibson was patently unfair, but the media aren't going to stop being unfair. If Palin is ever going to take a position of national leadership, she must learn to deal with the media more effectively. When I first saw Gibson's hateful and cowardly interview, I cringed...but not just because Gibson was such an arrogant snob. Palin was obviously nervous and very intimidated. At that point, I realized Palin is not ready to be the leader of the free world (just imagine Palin vs. Putin).

Could Sarah Palin be the next Margaret Thatcher? Possibly. But Palin is still very young. Conservatives need not waste her talents and jeopardize her potential to make great contributions to the conservative movement by pushing her back into the national spotlight before she is ready.

Palin in 2020?


More

Palin back on the stump

Change is Changing (article of the day)

Giving Thanks for Self-Reliant Americans

An extraordinary fact about the universe: its basic properties are uncannily suited for life.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

My guess is that she'll study up and hone her skills and be back in full force. She just seems like that kind of person.

You can tell the libs are afraid of her by the way they are still attacking her. It is pathetic on their part but encouraging as well. If she were as bad as Biden they would just ignore her like we did him. The more energy they used to demonize her the more obvious their fear was.

Biased Girl said...

It's very hard to say where the Country will be in four years, let alone how Palin will fit into the landscape.

Unfortunately, we didnt' get to "know" Sarah Palin during the campaign. McCain tried to keep her under wraps as much as possible, in my opinion. I'm anxious to see how she handles herself over the coming years.....

And the Libs as the previous comment stated are clearly terrified of her. That alone makes me more comfortable with her.

robert verdi said...

well, 6 years a governor before 2012 is a nice chunk of experience. I like her for the reform aspect. of the 4 people running for the executive in 2008 she was the only one who really changed anything.

WomanHonorThyself said...

G'mornin ..I sure hope she is back full force and SOON!

Nacilbupera said...

Sarah Palin is a tremendous asset to the Republican Party. She is honest, smart, diligent, and an inspiring communicator. She breathes new life and perspective into the "good 'ol boys" of backroom politics and is an inspiration for women worldwide.

I think if we can have a for a president who has campaigned in "57 states" or a VP who had pinned FDR getting on "television...when the stock market crashed" we certainly can tolerate a president who needed some clarification from Gibson of what exactly he meant by the ambiguous term "Bush Doctrine." Besides, I bet you toady only a small minority of Americans could articulate ANY of the multiple definitions for the "Bush Doctrine" even AFTER Gibson's interview--and frankly most Americans could care less because excepting a few anti-war protestors, we all want our leaders to do whatever it takes to keep our country safe.

I believe that Palin was the most qualified of the four candidates on the presidential tickets and will continue to develop her leadership talents and exude positive energy. By saying it would take her multiple terms as governor to be ready to run this country is absurd. I think there is a bias in the Republican Party which says to be qualified to be President you have to be in politics for half a century. The problem with that is as you age you sometimes lose touch with how to communicate with the rising generation of voters.

I am not endorsing Palin as my candidate for 2012; the time is way, way, way, too far off for that. Palin will be needed to help out in the 2010 congressional elections to help Republicans gain back some of the seats we lost this election.

Conversely, I don't want to lose Palin's voice in the next presidential election like it seems we are starting to lose Condolezza Rice--who seems content to go back to Stanford. I suspect had we rallied around Condy and showed her as Republicans we needed her voice and wisdom that she would have won both the Republican Party nomination and general election.

Yes, Sarah, we are planning on and want you to run in 2012, but let's not lose sight of the years of hard work in front of us. You gave us a perfect answer to that question as posed by Greta Van Susteren (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,449884,00.html): "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."