Republicans I talk to are convinced that Palin has all but given up on McCain and is concentrating on preserving her political viability for the future. Its hard not to come to that conclusion when you read things like this:
Sarah Palin may soon be free. Soon, she may not have the millstone of John McCain around her neck. And she can begin her race for president in 2012.
Some are already talking about it. In careful terms. If John McCain loses next week, Sarah Palin “has absolutely earned a right to run in 2012,” says Greg Mueller, who was a senior aide in the presidential campaigns of Pat Buchanan and Steve Forbes. Mueller says Palin has given conservatives “hope” and “something to believe in.”
The McCain campaign can’t be happy about that.
Palin, however, has a lot of work ahead of her if she expects to be the GOP nominee in 2012. A recent Newsweek poll had her in third place, behind Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee:
Romney - 35%
Huckabee - 26%
Palin - 20%
Palin is TOXIC. I HOPE, HOPE, HOPE that either she or Mittens are the republican nominee in 2012. We’ll be looking at 400+ EV
No way Palin runs again. Not a chance. I think she takes on an Al Gore-presence in the party, stumping for candidates and maybe having a pet issue, but I don’t see her running. Let her be the face of energy policy (after all, she has lived what most of us have only theorized) and help candidates get out the base in close races.
Leading candidates for 2012 (alot of it obviously depends on the issues of the day):
Huckabee — on the right-leaning beltway blogs I read, Huckabee is the definate favorite as of today.
Gen. Petreaus — he is the candidate that is making people buzz right now. He walks on water in GOP circles. Its his if he wants it.
Romney — The fact that he pulled out of the primaries when he still had a shot means that he probably wanted to save goodwill for 2012.
Mike Pence — Congressman from Indiana. I think you’ll hear alot more of him in the next four years. I’m seeing his name all over right now. Steadfast conservative and one of the best communicators in the GOP.
Unfortunately, that list doesn’t have alot of moderation, although I don’t know what Petraeus’ stands on social issues would be.
Agreed, all this Palin happy talk is spun to retain any credibility for THIS election and avoid an even greater disaster for the rest of the Republican ticket. After the election, Palin will be investigated and her skeletons will come out and she will fade into deserved obscurity or as a FOX news talking head (which is kind of the same). She will NEVER be a credible candidate for President.
Palin WILL be the Republican presidential nominee in 2012 UNLESS the party moves back toward the center of the political spectrum, back to a place it was three or four decades ago. The GOP’s current radical, hateful and self-righteous position has a perfect face in Palin.
Palin would be the perfect nom. She represents the modern day GOP to a T. Ignorant, Corrupt, Brainless, an empty word bubble above her head waiting to be filled by a neocon in the wings. Please keep her in the game forever Neocons!!!! I love to think of people actually being stupid enough to think she is an acceptable candidate. Think about it, people are actually stupid enough to vote for a ticket with her name on it, in good conscience! Republicans deserve her, and they have a lot farther to fall. I hope she sticks around forever!
Here is how much of an expert Palin is on energy:
From the Washington Post
First she said AK provides 20% of domestic energy. Fact is, it is ony 3.5%. Way off.
Then she said:
“My job has been to oversee nearly 20 percent of the U.S. domestic supply of oil and gas.”
Only problem is that US domestic supply from AK is only 7.4%, again way off
So, Palin’s strength is energy and she doesn’t know the facts.
Her strength is being a Maverick, yet a commision of her Repubican compatriots found her guity of abuse of power.
How do you just ignore that lack of integrity and competance?
Later,
Aec
Hey, DtM, what about Pawlenty? I know he’s not a favorite of the true-believer conservatives, but don’t you even feel a little home-state pride?
I agree with DantheMan; Petreaus is the one to watch, not Palin.
Another Chris -
Absolutely, I think Pawlenty is the action-oriented and creative type of Executive who the GOP needs. But from reading the GOP-centric blogs, I continue to only see his name as a possible future Veep candidate.
Klobuchar is a skillful and unscathed Senator. She is doing everything right to keep this Senate seat for a long time. But in the 10% chance that she screws up, I’m sure T-Paw goes for her seat in 2012.
This is all about Petreaus. It is more than a whisper at this point, and will only get louder if McCain is defeated next Tuesday as expected.
No way Petreaus, or any other General, gets elected.
Powell had the best shot; now he’s damaged goods. I would have liked to see Clark, but that’s not in the cards.
TPT - I actually kinda agree with you.
I thought Clark was going to be Obama’s VP. I agree that it would take a General with a sterling reputation. And even if they have one, they still have to speak to the American people and convince them that they fully understand non-military issues.
Powell could have done that. I’m not sure if Petreaus can do that and I just don’t know it, or if there is only buzz around him because of his name and image within the ranks.
DtM, I thought Wes was the VP pick, too. But close to the end, I heard it wasn’t in the cards.
I think there’s a place for Wes in the administration. Watch for it.