Sarah Palin could emerge as the face of the Republican Party.
The media world has been abuzz since Governor Palin's shocking announcement. Before the end of July, Palin will relinquish the reigns of her governorship. What does her resignation mean for the GOP? What's next for Alaska's political dynamo?
At this time, Republicans are lost. Senator Ensign had an affair with a staffer and shamed the party, effectively ending his presidential bid. Governor Sanford gave the strangest press conference in recent memory, revealing that he was involved in an adulterous relationship. Even Newt Gingrich committed a gaffe when he essentially called Judge Sotomayor a racist.
Republicans are desperate for a vocal and visible leader. Mitt Romney is keeping a low profile, but that's understandable since he's a 2012 frontrunner. Mike Huckabee is doing quite the opposite, though he might be overexposing himself as a Fox News television host. Like Romney, Tim Pawlenty is laying low while he governs Minnesota. Until now, nobody has been either willing or able to step up and rally the GOP. However, things have changed…
Governor Palin will soon become a part of the private sector. And if she decides to take a little pressure off of herself and pass on a 2012 presidential bid, she'll be free to oppose Obama's policies unencumbered. She'll also be free to write books, grant interviews, and deliver political speeches. She'll be free to act as a national player without feeling as though she's alienating her state.
In a few weeks, she won't have to worry about frivolous ethics complaints. She won't have to fight state politicians on petty matters. She will be relieved of her shackles. And if she plays her cards well, she'll be a major force in 2016.
I know, I know… what about experience? Well, it's highly unlikely that she'll run for the Senate. It's even less likely that Obama will give her a job in his Administration. But there is one job she might be perfectly suited for if she passes on a 2012 run. She could become the Chair of the RNC. Sure, that might not be the conventional way to gain experience. But hey, it's still a high profile office.
Wow a article on 411 about Palin were the writer doesn't piss all over her.Refreshing.
Posted By: John (Guest) on July 04, 2009 at 01:27 AM
John,
If she were a Democrat, you'd be pissing all over her.
Obama is infinitely better and you can't wait to piss all over him at every column.
Posted By: Crow21 (Guest) on July 04, 2009 at 02:58 AM
"I know, I know… what about experience?"
Experience isn't needed anymore. :)
Posted By: Mr. Durp (Guest) on July 04, 2009 at 03:05 AM
According to one of my clients, a military wife relocating from Alaska(and a Wasilla churchgoer who claims friendship with the family), Palin's stepping down because of an extramarital affair and an undisclosed involvement with the recently-disgraced Sanford. If this turns out to be true, well then, 411, you heard it here first.
Posted By: Hank (Guest) on July 04, 2009 at 03:57 AM
I don't think there is any question that Sarah Palin will remain a major player in the Republican Party and within the social conservative movement in the United States; just in general. Her base of support among those groups is solid.
However, the political side of her career that could have entailed elected office, is over.
Anyone that runs against her in the future, should she decide to seek office, Republican or Democrat, will be able to point to this moment, and label her as erratic and a quitter. Someone who may be fit to support, but never serve and lead.
By failing to serve out her term, she has essentially accepted and announced to the world her own limitations.
That characterization will resonate with the public. And limit her options in the future.
Its hard, but its fair.
Posted By: RazorLight (Registered) on July 04, 2009 at 06:34 AM
There are Federal charges coming against Palin, that's why she stepped down.
Posted By: null2099 (Guest) on July 04, 2009 at 09:43 AM
"she won't have to worry about frivolous ethics complaints"
Yeah, stupid frivolous ethics.
Posted By: Smelting (Guest) on July 04, 2009 at 11:26 AM
RazorLight,
Some very salient points. As if her public perception wasn't already one of ineptness and "Dan Quayle in a dress," this will solidify every stigma (deserved or not) that's out there.
This, for Palin, is her "McCain goes to Washington" moment.
Posted By: Crow21 (Guest) on July 04, 2009 at 11:30 AM
**********
Her base of support among those groups is solid.
**********
Her "solid" base of support is from the fringe lunatics on the right. The moderate republicans hate her as much as the Dems and independants do, which means she had no chance in hell to win a Presidential primary to begin with, and is even less likely to now since (as you pointed out) she can now be painted as someone that quits when things get too difficult for her.
**********
Wow a article on 411 about Palin were the writer doesn't piss all over her.Refreshing.
**********
Well John, it's easy to piss on her when practically every time she opens her mouth she says something so amazingly stupid that it begs a good pissing. Most people would have learned after the first disaster, but Palin is a special kind of stupid. A type of stupid so intense that she not only refuses to try and better herself, but believes it isn't necessary. News flash - the small but vocal minority that worships her is far outnumbered by the people IN HER OWN POLITICAL PARTY that view her as a moron and a liability.
Posted By: Scott B (Guest) on July 04, 2009 at 02:25 PM
"null 2099": Is this the possible federal charges of which you speak? The SBS situation?
If so, I'd wait on this one until an indictment is given. These kinds of charges are very hard to prove. And enough evidence may not be uncovered in the end to move forward with the case. Plus, after the Ted Stevens debacle, they will move very very slowly and carefully I can assure you.
But I agree. Stay tuned. The Feds may yet find the "smoking gun" so to speak. We'll see.
Anything is possible with Palin.
Posted By: RazorLight (Registered) on July 04, 2009 at 03:15 PM
"Scott B":
I advise caution. It would be a mistake to underestimate the level of Palin's support among the tens of millions of social conservatives in the United States. Or her ability to mobilize and energize that support for conservative causes and the opposition of progressive ones.
That subset of the population may be down and somewhat marginalized politically at the moment. Shocked and divided, based upon the events of the last year. But they are far from out.
The potential power of that block is still strong. McCain could not be their leader. He knew it. They knew it. But Palin could unite them. And give them hope and faith again. They have imprinted with her. As they did with Bush.
And unless some arcane video is released, featuring Sarah Palin screwing a goat (or some other similar situation), they will always be with her. A "solid" base of socially conservative and evangelically charged support for her to draw upon, at will.
I have always believed she is the most dangerous opponent to Barack Obama's agenda. Politicians can be defeated on the battlefield of politics.
But Sarah Palin transcends politics. In a way that is both fascinating and dangerous.
Those that wish to move this country forward, based on pragmatism, empathy, and reason, would be wise to keep one step ahead of Sarah Palin. Or suffer the consequences.
Posted By: RazorLight (Registered) on July 04, 2009 at 06:43 PM
"Anyone that runs against her in the future, should she decide to seek office, Republican or Democrat, will be able to point to this moment, and label her as erratic and a quitter. Someone who may be fit to support, but never serve and lead.
By failing to serve out her term, she has essentially accepted and announced to the world her own limitations.
That characterization will resonate with the public. And limit her options in the future.
Its hard, but its fair"
Oh you mean like king obama? how many times did he vote present? and just in case you forgot he abandonned his position to focus on being the first socialist president. He only spent three years on the rpad rallying the stupid instead of working in the senate. It hard, but it's only fair. How's that hope and change working out for you?
Posted By: Sco Sco (Guest) on July 04, 2009 at 07:14 PM
"I have always believed she is the most dangerous opponent to Barack Obama's agenda."
Yes, I can see where intellectual dishonesty and willful ignorance is the antithesis to an agenda involving a semblance of reason.
The rational people of America can only hope that the lunatic fringe that makes up Palin's base is still as irrelevant in 2012 as they are currently. We don't need another fundie nutjob in the White House this soon after Bush, especially when it comes to Palin who is bent on trying to alter reality until she's somehow magically not a complete head case...
Posted By: Raptor (Guest) on July 05, 2009 at 12:29 AM
I wouldn't be so sure that running for a Senate seat is "unlikely". She can go on her book tour for months and then decide on a primary to target. There's Murkowski's seat in Alaska coming up in 2010. And there's virtually no residency requirements for her to run in another state - Article 1 of the constitution just mandates that you "inhabit" the state when you're elected. This is why it was so easy for Hillary to suddenly become a New Yorker to run for Senate. There's five retiring Republican Senators in 2010 like Voinovich in Ohio and Martinez in Florida. Hell she could even set her eyes on Spector's seat in Pennsylvania after his infamous party switch earlier this year. Not guaranteeing it will happen, but you have to at least consider that this is her goal for 2010 and then follow up with a Presidential bid in 2016.
Posted By: Steven Xavier (Guest) on July 05, 2009 at 04:28 PM
she's got a good shot at president imo, she was able to teach her baby to count to potato
Posted By: Guest#8643 (Guest) on July 05, 2009 at 05:50 PM
STAY CURRENT