CPAC; Palin’s Last Chance To Declare Or Declare Support?
Once again Governor Palin seems to be at crisis, or better yet, inflection point in her political career.
CPAC; Palin’s Last Chance To Declare Or Declare Support?
M.Joseph Sheppard
Once again Governor Palin seems to be at crisis, or better yet, inflection point in her political career. And yes, she most certainly still has such a career no matter what her critics on left, and increasingly boldly (and idiotically shortsightedly) on the right, declare. That any so called journalist or pundit could ignore, for the sake of polemics, Palin’s staggering endorsement success rate in the 2014 mid-terms is taking disingenuousness to ridiculous heights-the post Brian Williams pundit fraternity really needs to brush up its act or simply decide it will be entirely partisan.
Whether Palin has a presidential candidature future is another matter however.Taking snideness, childishness and partisanship to new heights Politico’s Roger Simon, (with Palin pictured above his “The GOP Angel Of Death” headline) advises that “After her rambling (etc etc) speech in Iowa “the media will ever take her seriously again.”
That Simon decides he can speak for the entire journalistic profession speaks volumes of course as regards the level of hubris and arrogance the media has descended to.
That one poorly received (by the media, who like vultures. have been awaiting to pounce since the Biden/Palin debate) speech can somehow be determined to decide a whole future is astounding. If President Obama, sans teleprompter, or Vice-President Biden at any time, would have been judged on that basis they would have disappeared a long time ago, but of course the left media has propped them up and excused their endless gaffes right from the start.
Then, with McCain’s campaign in the doldrums after the collapse of Lehman Brothers, Palin under massive pressure and in front of multi-millions in the theater and on TV, left the critics with the only recourse of saying “well she did OK but it’s not a game changer for McCain” after she exceeded all expectations once again which shows the perils of underestimating Palin.
With the 2016 Republican nomination field now taking some sort of shape (Rand Paul reported to declare early April) and with support committees being formed, Jeb Bush’s advisers being hired the time is fast approaching when, to be taken seriously, prospective candidates will have to make moves in those directions or be counted out by the media, and, sadly importantly, the money men. A Palin presidential campaign would be, perhaps, unique in that her access to big donors is problematical as is the availability of the sort of campaign advisers she could trust, thus her campaign would be a genuine grass roots effort.
That this is feasible is shown by the various state committees set up for Palin as well as a potential army of enthusiasts engaged and linked through social media. These possible structures and human resources will not stay engaged with the Palin presidential concept forever of course and, if alternative candidates who are seen to be actively engaged in the process have appeal, Palin’s potential supporters may drift off to them. After her 2012 late decision not to run it would be understandable if many of the people who supported her then, and are still with her now, would not wish to be in limbo for too much longer.
M.Joseph Sheppard
Once again Governor Palin seems to be at crisis, or better yet, inflection point in her political career. And yes, she most certainly still has such a career no matter what her critics on left, and increasingly boldly (and idiotically shortsightedly) on the right, declare. That any so called journalist or pundit could ignore, for the sake of polemics, Palin’s staggering endorsement success rate in the 2014 mid-terms is taking disingenuousness to ridiculous heights-the post Brian Williams pundit fraternity really needs to brush up its act or simply decide it will be entirely partisan.
Once again Governor Palin seems to be at crisis, or better yet, inflection point in her political career. And yes, she most certainly still has such a career no matter what her critics on left, and increasingly boldly (and idiotically shortsightedly) on the right, declare. That any so called journalist or pundit could ignore, for the sake of polemics, Palin’s staggering endorsement success rate in the 2014 mid-terms is taking disingenuousness to ridiculous heights-the post Brian Williams pundit fraternity really needs to brush up its act or simply decide it will be entirely partisan.
Whether Palin has a presidential candidature future is another matter however.Taking snideness, childishness and partisanship to new heights Politico’s Roger Simon, (with Palin pictured above his “The GOP Angel Of Death” headline) advises that “After her rambling (etc etc) speech in Iowa “the media will ever take her seriously again.”
That Simon decides he can speak for the entire journalistic profession speaks volumes of course as regards the level of hubris and arrogance the media has descended to.
That one poorly received (by the media, who like vultures. have been awaiting to pounce since the Biden/Palin debate) speech can somehow be determined to decide a whole future is astounding. If President Obama, sans teleprompter, or Vice-President Biden at any time, would have been judged on that basis they would have disappeared a long time ago, but of course the left media has propped them up and excused their endless gaffes right from the start.
Then, with McCain’s campaign in the doldrums after the collapse of Lehman Brothers, Palin under massive pressure and in front of multi-millions in the theater and on TV, left the critics with the only recourse of saying “well she did OK but it’s not a game changer for McCain” after she exceeded all expectations once again which shows the perils of underestimating Palin.
With the 2016 Republican nomination field now taking some sort of shape (Rand Paul reported to declare early April) and with support committees being formed, Jeb Bush’s advisers being hired the time is fast approaching when, to be taken seriously, prospective candidates will have to make moves in those directions or be counted out by the media, and, sadly importantly, the money men. A Palin presidential campaign would be, perhaps, unique in that her access to big donors is problematical as is the availability of the sort of campaign advisers she could trust, thus her campaign would be a genuine grass roots effort.
That this is feasible is shown by the various state committees set up for Palin as well as a potential army of enthusiasts engaged and linked through social media. These possible structures and human resources will not stay engaged with the Palin presidential concept forever of course and, if alternative candidates who are seen to be actively engaged in the process have appeal, Palin’s potential supporters may drift off to them. After her 2012 late decision not to run it would be understandable if many of the people who supported her then, and are still with her now, would not wish to be in limbo for too much longer.
The pressure on Palin then at CPAC 2015 is equal to the pressure on her in 2008. If she intends to run and doesn’t signal that clearly, perhaps in the manner of announcing an exploratory committee, it would have to be something more significant than just “I’m considering it” then the opportunity to galvanize potential support at this massively media covered event will have gone begging and may never be recreated subsequently.
Not only is there the pressure of meeting reasonable expectations but to make a speech of a lifetime (yet again) that is so powerful, dramatic and inspiring that the media will have to reverse their entire “Palin is not a politician anymore” meme-that much is riding on her CPAC address in my opinion. Can she do it-of course she can, will she do it and include a strong indication she is running-that is the,possibly end-game question
If Governor Palin does not wish to address her possibly running at CPAC then perhaps it is time for her to indicate either her support for a particular candidate or to indicate that she will endorse someone and to use the speech to spell out, point by point, exactly the qualities and policies she would be looking for to give her endorsement later.
Making such an announcement would create a massive media storm and reinforce that Palin is still, very much, A potent political force (as Senators Ernst, Sasse and Fischer could attest). A Palin endorsement and a huge swell of support from the base could propel her endorsed candidate into a substantial lead-just as it has done with so many others e.g. Ted Cruz, in the past.
However, at the end of the day I have stated that my support for Governor Palin’s ethics, principles and morals transcends the person. Should she decline to run I would happily support whomever she endorsed because I would be ensured that person also would bring to the office of the presidency those same qualities. I have described this as ”Palinism In The Presidency” in a column I wrote on the matter.
Obviously I would wish Palinism in the presidency to be instituted by Palin herself, but her chosen vehicle would work as well. If it is to be Governor Palin embarking on that hard, challenging road I believe, strongly, that the first steps should be taken at CPAC.
I believe also that if a clear signal is not given there that she will run then the time has come to change my support site from ‘Palin For President 2016′ to “Palinism In The Presidency 2016” I have written that I believe Governor Palin will run for president in 2016-whether that means in person, or via her chosen candidate remains to be seen, but I believe they are almost interchangeable concepts.
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