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A woman in the crowd wears a Palin 2012 shirt while waiting in line
to have Sarah Palin sign her book, "Going Rogue," at a book signing
at the Sam's Club warehouse store in Washington, Pa., Saturday,
Nov. 21, 2009. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
The United States presidential election of 2012 is a little less than 3 years away, and despite the fact that candidates rarely announce a run for the White House this early, political enthusiasts are already making predictions on who will run.
Since Sarah Palin has launched her memoir Going Rogue with sales of 700,000 in the first week, Palin has been a regular name associated with 2012 (also the target of a Saturday Night Live trailer) alongside possible running mates Glenn Beck and Liz Cheney.
Now, Newsweek chief and Mediaite Power Grid #1 magazine editor Jon Meacham is serving up a new name: Dick Cheney. He spells it out in a Newsweek article online now, “Why Dick Cheney Should Run in 2012,” to be published in the December 7th issue of the magazine. No one knows for sure if Meacham is serious or not as he was dubbed "Desperately Trolling for Traffic" by Glenn Greenwald.
When Gallup polled on the Republican race for 2012, it asked about Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney, Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich, Tim Pawlenty, and Haley Barbour. The 2008 Iowa Caucus winner Mike Huckabee came out on top,with Romney and Palin tying for second among Republicans.
But as a guest on "Fox News Sunday" with Chris Wallace, Huckabee said it was "less than likely" he will run for President in 2012. Huckabee cited his self-titled Fox News Channel program as his main cause for not running. "The reason I wouldn't is because this Fox gig that I've got right now is really, really wonderful," Huckabee said. "A lot of it depends on how the elections turn out next year and whether Roger Ailes continues to like my show on the weekends and if all those things factor in, it's less likely than more likely." As the Des Moines Conservative Examiner points out, "This talk of not running might just be Huckabee's way of being coy. He still enjoys campaigning and will spend a lot of time in Iowa over the next several months supporting GOP gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats. My guess is Huckabee will give it a shot in 2012, despite his statements to the contrary."
But Mike Huckabee may have even more to worry about concerning a run in 2012 as his political fate may now rest on the story of a man named Maurice Clemmons. The man who has been named as a person of interest in the execution style of four police officers was granted clemency by Huckabee and his lengthy prison sentence was commuted by Huckabee because of Clemmons' young age (17) at the time of the crime. Huckabee's opponents would certainly point out that Huckabee is soft on crime, which is an obstacle no politician can overcome.
If Huckabee runs, he would cut deeply into Palin's conservative base, but if Huckabee is out of the picture, Palin and Mitt Romney become the immediate frontrunners. Since Palin's the only one who comes close to Huckabee's popularity in the Hawkeye State, would this open the doors for Palin 2012? In a new Washington Post poll, Palin beats other GOP leaders on two questions: who best represents the party's core values, and who Republicans would vote for if the presidential nomination battle were held today. But she has particular appeal to the loyal followers of Limbaugh and Beck, two of the most popular conservative talk show hosts in the country.
Comments
No way would Cheney get the nomination, although personally rather popular for his unspokenness since leaving office, he's way too closely identified with Bush. If Huck stays out, as is likely since the murder of 4 policemen by one of those who chose to show compassion, Palin is the clear frontrunner. Having 1 (but I'm betting at least 2) bestsellers by 2011, being able to attract huge crowds from which come volunteers and contributions, are huge psychological boosts for her, and psychological blows to anyone wanting to challenge her. I doubt if there is anyone at the monent who could compete with her on those levels. Palin will easily win the nomination, and the general election, by then the majority of people will be hearily sick of Mr Hope and Change.
Cheneys were Romney supporters anyhow, it would be Romney/Cheney.
Cheneys wife comes from a multi generational LDS family from the early polygamy days in Utah, their daughter is close friends with Kyle Sampson, who is LDS and involved in the AG dismissals, and also back Romney. Don't see a Palin/Cheney ticket.
Well, hopefully we can cross Friar Huck's name off the list now that he has officially given us his second Willie Horton in Maurice Clemmons, child rapist and cop-killer. Perhaps many don't know Huckabee, as Governor of Arkansas, commuted his sentence. Another repeat offender Huckabee freed: Wayne Dumond, a serial rapist who went onto rape then murder a seventeen year old girl after Huckabee freed him in the 1990s.
Mike Huckabee pardoned and commuted more than twice as many convicts as his 3 gubernatorial predecessors combined.
HOw will he address/avoid it on his TV show? How will FNC report on the matter in their regular news coverage? A lot is at stake for them in this liablitly of a figure.
Another factor worth consideration: approval among independents. In 2000 and 2004, George W Bush won them. In 2008, Obama won them handily. Obama retains his lead among independents over Palin and Huckabee, but loses them to Mitt Romney.
Of unknown or little known republican talent, I'd suggest Paul Ryan, maybe John Thune, and certainly General Petraeus, though it's actually true in his case to say his candidacy is less than likely.
I like Palin but frankly to trust her as president is another step entirely. Although anyone but Obama.
Palin has her shortcomings but trustworthiness and apprehension to taking action are not two of them...I think she can certainly grown into the job...no political lightweight can achieve an 88% approval rating to an elected executive position in government without doing things right
Sarah Palin has some talking points but she does not have the experience American needs right now. She could and should serve in the next Republican administration but she needs more time and experience.
Whoever surfaces to run in 2012...it will be interesting.
Sadly for Huckabee, his commitment to the Christian ideal of the possibility of repentance and conversion--the Apostle Paul was a murderer--has probably ended his political career.
Dick Cheney will be in his '70's in 2012 and has an alleged significant cardiovascular history including reported heart attacks, bypass, coronary stent, and angioplasty.
Lou Dobbs? Sounds a bit like the early euphoria over Fred Thompson.
Who does that leave? Mitt, Sarah, and a fresh face.
Both Governors will have impressive war chests; each has baggage. Mitt has escaped the contempt directed at Palin; evangelists and others on the religious left will not be quick to embrace a Mormon.
More importantly, it is an almost certainty that Palin's "rehabilitation" is being managed by the right's Henry Higgins, Roger Ailes, the President of Fox News. Only a pathologically biased observer would fail to declare that Palin's reemergence onto the national stage has been anything less than a triumph.
Kyle,
Chuck the old rules. Look in the dictionary for Executive Political Experience and you'll see Obama's picture. It's a new game. Emotion, more than at any time in America's history opens the doors to the Oval Office. The question left to be answered is, "With Roger Ailes calling the shots--the man who put Nixon, Reagan, and Bush 41 into the oval office--will Palin be able to curry more likability than disapproval.
The candidate least unappealing to the voters in 2012 gets the parade and with independents ditching Obama faster than one of Elizabeth Taylor's former husbands, he better start taking his vows seriously.
Think the guy is in trouble now? Wait until unemployment is still hanging at 10% during the midterms, oil is at $100 a barrell, and China owns Disney World.
You don't find out the truth by reading thetabloids. Do searches of PDF files and I guarantee even hard core lefties start sleeping with the lights on.
By 2012 Palin could look like Joan of Arc.
Hopefully this will serve to make certain Huck will not be the nominee. I like Palin but am not entirely comfortable with her as President. I think a Romney/Palin ticket is excellent. He has experience in politics and in business and our country needs an experienced leader. Sarah Palin would do well in the VP position and would grow naturally into the Presidency.
John:
But sadly, Palin won't actually be a Joan of Arc. We don't need cheap representations we need the real thing.
Palin doesn't have any valuable expertise or practical experience.
We need someone with a track record of turning around organizations, or who can courageously and effectively be a conservative in a liberal majority, reduce deficits, cut special interest programs, and propose programs that can lead to job creation.
Do you remember the Palin-Couric interview?
John, that's the REAL Sarah Palin.
Go away Palin!
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