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Sarah Palin giving her resignation speech. AP Photo Robert DeBerry
Upon hearing Sarah Palin say she was leaving office early the first thought in my head was "dumb move." In an earlier article I doubted whether Palin could ever escape the label of quitter after her early resignation. While I still believe Governor Palin's decision is questionable ethically and may amount to abandoning her state, I must admit upon further reflection that it may have been a wise political move should she chose to run for President in 2012. Here are my thoughts on the benefits that Governor Palin will gain by quitting...I mean leaving early:
#1: Palin will be free to roam the lower forty-eight now
Had Gov. Palin stayed as Governor and then done events in the lower forty-eight states she would have constantly faced criticism that she was leaving her state behind. By leaving now she gets the "leaving her state behind" story over and done with quickly. Now when she does a speech in Iowa or New Hampshire, by pure coincidence of course, at least no one can criticize her for abandoning her gubernatorial duties.
#2: Fundraising Fundraising Fundraising
President Obama proved that when it comes to Presidential campaigns money talks. With Governor Palin being free from her duties to Alaska she can write a book, do some talk shows, and go on a speaking tour to bring in millions. Since it is perfectly legal for a candidate to donate to her own campaign with no limits a ton of this money could go toward Palin's presidential run.
#3: Palin can now go on the attack more freely
It is not that Governor Palin has not already criticized the Obama administration, but now she will be able to do so with no constraints. When she was Governor Palin had to keep her criticism dignified and toned down somewhat as stateswoman. In addition if she spent too much time criticizing Obama before she would draw fire for not doing her job. Being free from the governor's post will allow Palin to attack Obama with stronger language and to attack Obama more often. In effect Palin can become the voice of frustrated conservatives who feel like they are getting run over by the Obama administration.
#4: Palin can make mighty political allies helping people in the 2010 midterms
Imagine how many political friends Palin could make should she do fundraisers for Republican candidates in the 2010 election. Palin could draw millions of dollars in fundraisers for these candidates and also help jump start the conservative base. Then, should Palin chose to run in 2012, she could call in some favors owed to her through her efforts. Endorsements from top Republicans could legitimize Palin and make her the frontrunner among Republicans. For an example, just look back at how much the Ted Kennedy endorsement aided Barack Obama.
#5: Palin can tap into conservative anger
One thing I have noticed in many of the comments I have received is a very angry and disgruntled conservative population. The Obama win has left them feeling disenfranchised and without a voice. They sincerely believe that Obama is adopting socialist policies that will destroy America. This anger is very real and I would even say it rivals the sort of frustration liberals had during the Bush years. Obama was able to win the Democratic nomination by most successfully tapping into the anger felt by Democrats. By freeing herself from Alaska Sarah Palin can tour the country and become a national voice for the frustrated conservatives. Right now the closest thing to a spokesperson for the frustrated right is Rush Limbaugh but he hardly could be considered a candidate for President. If Sarah Palin can become the voice of the conservative opposition she will surely win the Republican nomination.
Having said all this, I still believe Palin would make a weak candidate for Republicans against Barack Obama in 2012. I will detail my reasons why in a later article as the focus of this article is on the Republican nomination in 2012. If you want to be President you must get the nomination before you can start even thinking about the general election. By leaving office early Palin may have set herself up in a better position to get the Republican nod even if I do not believe she would make a good general election Presidential candidate.
Comments
"This anger if very real..."
Seriously, was this article so difficult to write that you couldn't do a simple proofread?
Thank Heavens she is good lookin', cuz she may be the dumbest "blankedy-blank" to hit the national stage since the "Sweat Hogs"....but I still think they may have been faking it.
She has no chance of being elected to anything ever again....besides, of course, any other post in our 51st State.....duh, that's a joke. everyone knows Alaksa is actually our 52nd State after Puerto Rico and Disney World. Right, Saraclueless?
I'd love to see her run for president, It will in now short of words help the democratic party immensely. She's a quitter. Proofread? I think this article was so dumb that it didn't warrant it. She is done as a national politician for a great while, maybe not forever, maybe she's like Nixon, maybe it'll happen in 20 years. Just like Nixon, who wants that? She is has created environmental disasters for Alaska. Bad ethics examples. Budget problems. Gas price increases. Dinosaur dogma. If its wise for her to resign its only because it allows her to hide her stupidity. If Aliens landed tomorrow and she was in office she would be like "God has returned" and would just handover all classified material and defenses immediately; and if you know that and have access to some really good Hollywood props your in business. Seriously, this lady is stupid. Find a republican who wasn't born rich, sticks to conservatism (not international imperialism or Zionism), and you'll have a contender. Ron Paul!
great article, i think a bid by sarah in 2016 makes much more sense. don't count her out she ha a x factor like regan did and will learn to exploit it with grandure.
Rick: Typo corrected. At least one of them. Please lighten up it will be ok.
Palin didn't go from a being a hockey mom to vice presidential candidate by being dumb. When Palin announced her resignation, I thought immediately she is a freaking genius. I'm saying this from a political strategic analysis. I have no doubt at all the Sarah Palin knew that when her term as governor was up in January of 2011, it would have left her with less then a year before the Iowa Caucus in January of 2012. Her excuse for resigning was lame, but she would have truly committed political suicide if she announced her resignation had to do with 2012. By her campaigning for conservative independents and democrats, she is actually working to build a broad collation of conservatives across party lines for her support. This is very bold move. I doubt it will go over well with the Republican National Committee though. It will be very interesting listening to Palin rip into Obama. I truly believe her 2012 campaign unoffically kicked off on July 3rd.
Yeah, I was startled too, to see her up & quit like that ... er, resign. Being an Alaska fan, though, I was watching events there in 2006, so I may have recovered a few paragraphs before you.
Whether Palin is good for the GOP in 2012 is a matter of how the country is feeling about Obama. If the economy is still bad, if the midterms go GOP, then he's vulnerable. If folks are smiling about the economy and its his Congress, then he's invincible.
Some are indeed "angry", but many just don't buy liberalism. No offense, just no thanks. Palin can/does represent a lot of America, without needing it to be angry. Key parts of her 'brand' can also resonate well with Blacks, Hispanics and Asians.
The GOP is down, but the country is still split very closely between Left & Right. Independents grow steadily. Urbia has problems; the death of rural is exaggerated. California raises the bar as the un-standard.
It's a shot in the dark, whether Palin runs in 2012, and she knows
Sarah Palin represents and advocates for people who have a very well-established and stable position in America, yet feel existentially threatened.
This is a uniquely American political perspective, motivated by a sense of moral superiority. Sarah's followers have both the income and the leisure to make their political force felt and are accustomed to running things within their spheres.
Sarah's issues will be illegal immigration, gun rights and opposition to abortion.
While the rest of us will be struggling with the recession and trying to be respectful neighbors, Sarah will be leading the blue noses in a moral campaign.
It will be very interesting listening to Palin rip into Obama....
All the Republicans will be ripping Obama for the next fifty years- if Palin wants to ascend to leadership she will have to deal with the likes of Ron Paul.
The battle for control of the GOP and remaking it into a party that can compete for the voters under sixty will be a rivettingly interesting political story for the next three or four election cycles.
Tyrone, how exactly did Palin go from being a hockey mom to governor? You'll agree that there lies some incongruent and improbable progress during that time period. Her selection as a VP runningmate, however, is immaterial. That was "someone's" Hail Mary pass. The bottom line: She is not a bright woman. Palin does not possess the intellect or ability to collect and then communicate her thoughts. "Freaking genius".....like Jon & Kate, and Charo and the Real Housewives of NJ and everyone else who is famous for doing nothing......Palin is a cancer to to the GOP, which, if you're a DEM, is a good thing.
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