Palin's Decision-- Brilliant, or Foolhardy?
By Christian Milord | 07/03/09 | 11:21 PM EDT | 8 Comments
Why is Gov. Sarah Palin stepping down July 26th with about fifteen months left in her term? As a household name since Aug. 2008, Palin might have grown too big for Alaskans to handle, and perhaps she needs a heftier challenge. Is it a smart move to resign before she finishes her four-year term? Or does Palin hope to get a huge jumpstart on 2010 (Senate race), or 2012 and 2016 (presidential races)?
Apparently, Palin had her reasons and we ought to respect her choice to battle for Alaska and the country from the outside rather than the inside. Palin has much more experience now, and she certainly brings energy and positive conservative values to whatever vocation she embraces in the future. On the flip side, she will be criticized from many quarters for voluntarily quitting before her term is up.
Palin's lakeside announcement might have been music to the ears of some of the possible GOP presidential contenders in 2012. Although Jon Huntsman is now ambassador to China, who knows which direction he might take in the next 3 1/2, or 7 1/2 years? Gov. Bobby Jindal (LA) could be a strong contender in 2012, and beyond. Moreover, Tim Pawlenty (MN) and Rick Perry (TX) both wrap up their gubernatorial terms in 2010, and could run in 2012. Other possibles could be Michael Bloomberg, Jeb Bush, Gov. Mitch Daniels (IN), Newt Gingrich, Rudy Giuliani, and Mike Huckabee.
Mitt Romney might have a decent inside track because he's already run for president, and has succeeded in many endeavors. Currently, he has all the time in the world to test the waters, build an organization, and raise money. He is an experienced ex-governor, understands the private sector, and has sound conservative fiscal and social values. Romney also understands America's historic role in the world as a beacon of liberty, and this freedom is preserved through robust national security policies.
All of these possible contenders will have substantially more experience than Palin if they prepare for 2012. The big question remains: will Palin campaign for any of these political leaders, or will they end up campaigning for her? The answer to that question might unfold over the next year or two as a number of contenders jockey for position. It's going to be quite a ride leading up to the next campaign.
TAGS: Huntsman, Jindal, Palin, Pawlenty, Perry, Romney
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Comments
No way she's running in 2012... her fans are going to get their little hearts broken when she makes that clear soon...
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|If Mitt is going to run he will have to get new money men in the O.C. since all his old ones are going bk in this real estate bust
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|If not of her own volition, then certainly whatever is coming next will make her unviable. Rumors of an embezzlement scandal with legs are being tossed around.
As for the other folks on your list, I will vote third party over Rick Perry. He is an incompetent boob of a Governor who is only given the time of day by his own state GOP because of his secession shtick. Jindal, Pawlenty, Daniels and Barbour are very legit Governors for running, but I think Barbour is just not the best image to put up against Obama, specifically a chubby white man from the South.
Gingrich is truly a reincarnation of Richard Nixon. His leadership style troubles me a lot, though. Huckabee will almost certainly run and be very competitive, especially if indeed Palin is done for good.
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|What is it about Newt's leadership style that troubles you, Matt?
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|...it became quite obvious to his GOP leadership colleagues that he was not well-suited for dealing with Clinton behind closed doors. At least from what I've read, even Gingrich himself admitted privately that he couldn't say no to Clinton during the budget negotiations. Things like that make me question his ability to assemble a team in a White House setting where everyone has an agenda.
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|I think if Gov. Palin is meant to be an important national mover and shaker in the future, it will happen in its own time. I wish that both she and others would stop rushing it.
She's a relatively young woman. I believe that she needs more time as an executive in charge of a state on her resume. If she had been governor for a substantial period prior to becoming McCain's running mate, things may have turned out differently.
Also, she should go easy on the folksy stuff. It's fine, but clearly the people who voted for Hussein want to be led by an elitist. She shouldn't stop being who she is, but she ought to just take the Andy Griffith thing down a notch or two.
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|Newt is great at communicating new ideas, but would he have the discipline and patience to endure a political campaign? He's quite accomplished, but also very restless.
Meanwhile, for now, Sarah Palin can travel, get to know the country and foreign relations better, spend time with family, support the troops, do some writing, and pump up the base. Just the fact that the MSM takes so many cheap shots at her means that liberals fear her influence and solid message. "You betcha!!"
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|Perhaps, my brain is a bit fuzzy from 35 years as a Cop, but my gut instinct is that we are not getting the whole story here. Something of major magnitude happened, was uncovered, or is about to be discovered, to cause this resignation to happen. If as frequently happens in big time politics, deals were cut behind the scenes, we mere mortals may never know the truth as to why Sara Palin left the stage. However, with the media feeding frenzy around her, it will be difficult at best, to close off any leaks. It should be interesting to see how this case plays out.
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