A week ago, we’d have told you that former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s presidential aspirations were kaput … and we’d have been correct.
Since then, however, four events have conspired to dramatically reshape the 2012 presidential race in her favor – although it remains to be seen whether Palin possesses the gravitas (or the political acumen) to exploit the opening.
The question is a simple one: Can Palin redefine herself as a credible candidate? Or will she continue down the pandering path of folksy non-specifics and sanctimonious indignation? Before we attempt to answer that question, let’s revisit the four seismic events of the past week that have vaunted Palin back into the forefront of the presidential conversation.
First, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney – the current front-runner for the GOP nomination – tried unsuccessfully last week to draw a distinction between his failed socialized medicine plan and the one pushed through Congress last year by U.S. President Barack Obama. The only problem? There’s not much of a distinction to be drawn …
Next, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee withdrew his name from 2012 consideration … leaving a huge swath of the GOP electorate (particularly social conservatives) without a candidate.
Then, billionaire real estate mogul and reality TV star Donald Trump said he wasn’t going to seek the Republican presidential nomination next year, either … creating another opening for Palin to exploit.
Finally, former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich‘s campaign has flat out imploded after he called a middle-of-the-road Republican budget-cutting plan “radical change” and an example of “right-wing social engineering.”
Obviously, we took a dim view of Palin in our initial assessment of the 2012 field, saying that she was “prone to excessive hyperventilation over all sorts of perceived indignities.”
“Our hope is that Palin will be able to transition from a whiny drama queen into a credible candidate,” we wrote at the time.
With Romney’s baggage, Huckabee and Trump’s exits and Gingrich’s implosion – it’s looking like she may get a chance to do just that. In fact, a new Gallup poll shows Palin trailing Romney by just two percentage points – not bad for a candidate who had recently seen her support plummet into single digits.
Obviously we come from the Kathleen Parker school of thought as it relates to Palin’s viability as a presidential candidate – which means we doubt she will be able to resist the whinier angels of her frequently atonal nature.
If she can do that, though … and accompany such a reinvention with specific pro-free market policy positions, we believe Palin could make one helluva candidate yet.
Pic: via Daylife
By Dixie May 18, 2011 at 10:11 am
Run Forest, I mean Run Sarah Run !!!
By Nolff May 18, 2011 at 10:13 am
She’d have a better chance if her accent wasn’t more annoying than a thousand yelling toddlers.
By CNSYD May 18, 2011 at 10:14 am
Palin has about 1,000 times more chance of winning as Ron Paul. 1,000 x 0 is still zero.
By She has no prayer May 18, 2011 at 10:14 am
Even if she somehow won the primary the Dems hate her with a passion…she’s get steamrolled by the Big O.
Why don’t you post that poll from a couple of weeks ago showing all the primary contenders polling data against the Big O?
The candidate closest to beating Obama a few weeks ago in the general electing was Ron Paul according to polling data…
By Saint May 18, 2011 at 10:17 am
“we believe Palin could make one helluva candidate yet”
Yeah, just like Nikki.
By Ohmaar May 18, 2011 at 10:36 am
I’ll take a shrill voice with at least a record of SOME accomplishment over an empty suit with a one-line resume: Reads a teleprompter well.
By lance May 18, 2011 at 10:39 am
She has more business experience the Obama–he’s never run anything but a megaphone…
By Liberaltarian May 18, 2011 at 10:42 am
Prediction: Romney wins the nomination due to the winner take all approach of the republican primary system, solidly getting between 25-35% of the votes. Iowa will go to one of the fluke candidates, probably Bachman but maybe Cain, and the moderates/RINOs will TOTALLY FREAK OUT and run enmass to the “most electable” in the field, the guy who did pretty well last go around. Romney was second in Iowa last time and will be again, Romney will win NH easily this time b/c no McCain, take Nevada again (thanks Mormans), Romney was second in Florida and no candidate currently mentioned has anything special that is positioned to beat him there.
So, going into Super Tuesday, Romney will have won all the primaries except Iowa and South Carolina (we will go anti-Romney b/c “TMT” (the morman thing)).
Romney’s nomination will result in a third party “Tea Party” candidate with little ties to the republican establishment (think Herman Cain/Bachmann/whoever wins Iowa over Romney) running. Obama wins in a landslide of Reaganesque proportions due to split vote, afterwich the conservatives officially leave what has always been the Big Business/Country Club republican party that has only been paying lipservice to the conservative causes to use their votes, and establish their own conservative party and Democrats will control the country for a few decades.
By stimulus May 18, 2011 at 10:46 am
she is a “profoundly stupid” ugly bitch!
By snodgrass May 18, 2011 at 10:48 am
This articles basically says, “If Sarah Palin can find a way to convince us that she’s not who we know she really is, SHE COULD BE ONE HELLUVA CANDIDATE!
Gotta love these politically schizophrenic pajama pundits.
By sodakhic May 18, 2011 at 10:52 am
The electrifying Mrs. Palin: the Dems, libs, lefties, just can’t seem to bury her.Its like the Red Sea is parting for the mama grizzly. Contenders are falling left and right and the ones in are making fools of themselves.After amazing performances in India, Israel, Madison and her national security speech in Denver, things are lining up quite nicely. Waiting for your call to the BAM show in Alaska and then your move to Arizona to start the campaign.
By blackstilettos May 18, 2011 at 11:01 am
hey…never say never…thats what i said about haley and look what happened. shit happens.
By Skidmarks May 18, 2011 at 11:01 am
She’s been quiet since the National Enquirer caught her hubby whoring around. She will remain quiet.
By Mediaweary May 18, 2011 at 11:06 am
“…although it remains to be seen whether Palin possesses the gravitas (or the political acumen) to exploit the opening.” and “…Can Palin redefine herself as a credible candidate?”
Best humor writing in SC. Palin possesses no gravitas and no political acumen. Rather, she’s defining herself as a media figure with a political bent and now that Trump’s out of the race, she’s got little competition for that spotlight (Huckabee? Not real competition – he’s much better at the guitar and the microphone than she is but he also has real political experience and credibility).
By Common Sense May 18, 2011 at 11:18 am
The GOP selection field is again..well lets just say not everything one could hope for. As long as the nominations process is controlled by the extreme right a valid nationally electable candidate seems like a far off dream. There is no candidate the dems want to see more than simple Sarah. What the GOP needs is a candidate who wants to work with both sides to solve this countries issues, not a mud slinger or rhetorical fool (simple Sarah)with no ideas and nothing to say except pie in the sky phrases about how they love America. We all love America so need more than that to win a national election.
Of course the wing bats, Fox news, sid and the trailer park crowd (was that redundant?) will blame it on the “lamestream media” blacks and the welfare crowd when Obama has a landslide reelection.
By BC May 18, 2011 at 11:49 am
The hope factor is fading in the GOP for good, solid candidates to even compete against President Obama. While the principles of the Democratic party seems to be tax and spend, in reality it is more complex then that. Our nation is at a critical point of mass and its time for the rubber to hit the round. The days of lip service is coming to an end and the MAJORITY of Americans want to see action. President Obama has delivered in many instances on his campaign promises. The most recent is the killing of Osama Bin Laden. This one, of many promises, that have come around has many of the most viable candidates holding out and refusing to run. But here’s the funny thing, the GOP doesn’t realize that the Dems have already put another nail in their coffin. The vote against repealing oil industry tax subsidies in the Senate will be used in mass against the GOP. Watch and you’ll surely see. But this was about Sarah. I will quote Chris Matthews, “She’s profoundly stupid.” Enough said.
By PoorMichaelHaley May 18, 2011 at 11:52 am
The best way for Obama to get re-elected is by allowing Palin to continue making the entire GOP look stupid.
By Bob May 18, 2011 at 11:58 am
If Romney is nominated and the Tea Party decides to run a 3rd party candidate that will 100% for sure guarantee an Obama reelection because the conservative vote will be split!
By Shlomo May 18, 2011 at 12:14 pm
She’s good at whining about the media.
Maybe she could have whined Osama to death.
By Catherine May 18, 2011 at 12:56 pm
HERMAN CAIN!!!
And to Nolff….you wrote:
“She’d have a better chance if her accent wasn’t more annoying than a thousand yelling toddlers”
100% agree with you; that voice of hers (and her refusal to move beyond 8th grade geography knowledge) is like fingernails on a chalkboard.
HERMAN CAIN!!!!
By Crooner May 18, 2011 at 1:13 pm
“[M]iddle of the road Republican budget cutting plan??!!”
You’re full of shit.
Looks like all the “hits” your site has received has driven you over the edge from libertarian all the way to “let them eat cake.”
By Godslayer May 18, 2011 at 1:26 pm
Palin is all about identity politics. As the posts on this site confirm, Palin has a strong appeal to the profoundly stupid.
By trigg the retard May 18, 2011 at 1:50 pm
if the palins come to SC and you cover bristol at an abstinence forum, please fuck her and report all details. it will get way more hits than your pathetic meredith land article.
By Billy Sunnyshine May 18, 2011 at 1:51 pm
Sarah’s political career is over and has been for some time. She’s embarrassed herself and the GOP waaaay too many times and independents hate her. She’s also badly damaged her commercial prospects as well. The quitter from Wasilla has no political future. Good riddance!
By Bogart May 18, 2011 at 1:53 pm
Hope she runs,with Trump gone this circus needs another clown.
By Big Fred May 18, 2011 at 3:12 pm
I predict that if she does declare, the campaign will be made up of volunteers like myself, so there will be little need for office space and all the conventional trappings of a campaign like a Bob Dole, Barack Obama or Mitt Romney would have. I have a computer and a phone, that’s all I need to raise $2 million dollars. Just imagine if 10-20 million supporters spring up, as if by magic. It’ll make the Obama or Ron Paul zealots look like Astroturf!! It will be a tsunami, hurricane, earthquake and nuclear bomb all combined!!
By Kentuckian May 18, 2011 at 3:27 pm
You can tell by their sick comments here,that the liberals (Socialists) are in a panic. I want a President that hunts,and fishes. A woman who does this is a plus. She is one of us,an average American,who is of the people, and for the people.She is Sarah Palin,the Momma Grizly. She will listen to us, and do what is right,for us and our country. She is an All American Girl, brought up with the unique pioneering spirit that made the United States the greatest country the world has ever seen. She is a proud American. She will not apologise for being an American,to the world. She will not bow to Muslim Kings,or communist dictators. Terrorists will fear her. She is Americas Momma Grizzly! The peoples choice,to take our country back!
By CMartel2 May 18, 2011 at 3:28 pm
“Palin is all about identity politics. As the posts on this site confirm, Palin has a strong appeal to the profoundly stupid.”
And our current president, who swore on being the post-racial president? Ha! Identity politics? Palin rarely, if ever brings up identity. Compare that with “the one.”
Judging from the physicians’ lounge, she also has a pretty good reputation among physicians. Personal accountability and individual liberty are not dead in this country, yet, despite all the endless ploys of the far left.
I don’t think Palin is the GOP’s best candidate, but she’s viable. The endless attempts to destroy her coming from the Marxists of this nation reveal as much. They don’t like her for a reason, and if she was as unelectable, as foolish, and as meaningless as they claimed, she wouldn’t be garnering the attention she does. She very clearly represents a threat, and it’s one they’re scurrying away to diminish, using whatever vile tactics come to mind.
Ms. Palin clearly represents the antithesis of what has come out of Washington lately. Given the floundering of US businesses amidst competition from less-regulated and less-taxed rivals (and rival workforces, perhaps more appropriately) from overseas, one might get the impression that fundamental restructuring is due.
Are you going to get that from Romney? Obama?
Hardly.
Palin represents an alternative.
By SCNative GatorFan May 18, 2011 at 3:35 pm
She may be up and down on the poles, but that’s not entirely a bad idea for this candidate.
By Viper1 May 18, 2011 at 4:00 pm
Re:
” A week ago, we’d have told you that former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s presidential aspirations were kaput … and we’d have been correct.”,
A small point: how could you have been correct last week but worng a week later?
Isn’t this like saying in October ’69.
“A week ago if I’d told you the 1969 Mets had no shot to win the World Series I would have been correct but now that they’re up against Baltimore three games to one It doesn’t look like I am.”?
What is with these guys?
It doesn’tmatter whether they’re studio execs (the kind that told Elvis Presley he should drive a truck and Mailyn Monroe she was suited for nothing more than secretarial work); Military authorities (“As an expert in explosives, I can assure you the Atomic Bomb cannot work.”), or political pundits (Howard K.Smith’s broadcast on November 11th, 1962 “The Political Obituary of Richard Nixon)–history is littered with the gurus and sages that not only got it wrong but were so wrong their predictions are now part of the inglorious tradition of almost incomprehensibly poor forecasts.
Why would anyone put any stock in their OPINIONS nine times out of 10?
By Skidmarks May 18, 2011 at 4:06 pm
Palin won’t release her medical records.
By Dr Who May 18, 2011 at 4:14 pm
Romneys plan was NOT socialized medicine.
Ryans plan is NOT a middle of the road Republican budget cutting plan. Please be more honest with yourself and your readers. It’s a plan that completely gets rid of Medicare as we know it. It privatizes Medicare and as a physician, I can tell you that this will be a disaster for anyone with health problems. These are insurance companies-do you trust them?? If you’ve ever been underinsured and then been diagnosed with a significant illness, you would understand what a terrible plan this is. Unless you are very wealthy.
Any middle class person who falls for this BS you and Ryan are promoting is a fool.
You better hope you are healthy or win the lottery. The plan does not address costs which are the biggest problem. And don’t use the free market principles will fix the costs because it won’t. Look at private health care now. Do you know how many millions of Americans are bankrupt by illness?
You may want to study what socialism is before declaring Romneys plan or Obamas plan socialist. They simple are NOT by definition. And I do not believe in socialized medicine.
Finally Sarah Palin. She is a thin skinned, over reactive, negative and unstable mentally. She also is a huge fraud who can only repeat sound bites. My God is this the best we can do?
Romney is intelligent and understands business. He was governor of the most liberal states in the country and did what he had to do to meet their needs.
He’s the only candidate of this sorry bunch I would consider except for maybe Huntsman.
You truly do the seniors wrong by lying about Ryans plan. And you will be a senior too.
Face the truth about these young guns. They only care about the PROFITS of the health insurers and the very wealthy. To call that an middle of the road is a lie.
We can be conservatives AND be pragmatic, can’t we??
By eggaday May 18, 2011 at 4:26 pm
Hey Skidmarks, so rumor has it, the Clintons ” own” the National Enquirer…. so that explains that.
By Sarah Sez May 18, 2011 at 4:32 pm
I, for one, look forward to a world where my children are taught that the earth was created in seven days, that Noah’s Ark is still somewhere up there on Mount Arat, and that Eve was created from Adam’s rib (or the other way around….whatever). The stupidification of America continues!
Viewed from a more realistic stance, putting Palin up guarantees Obama victory.
By Wagnoodle May 18, 2011 at 5:56 pm
Stimulus, you sound like you are ugly, overweight, and jealous of a successful and attractive woman, wife, and mother.
And all the personal attacks come right out don’t they.
What is it that makes people crazy when it comes to Sarah. The left wing media has done a very good job trying to discredit her and yet she draws a HUGE croud and Huge money into campaigns that she has supported.
GO Sarah GO…Candidate or Kingmaker, she is a tough lady!!
By RAS May 18, 2011 at 6:18 pm
When you start to run out of options, the ones you still have start to look pretty good. It’s human nature. As the country song said a long time ago: The girls all look better at closing time.
By MR ADRIAN DWIGHT SWABY May 18, 2011 at 6:22 pm
LG S101 RELIABLE STYLE INSIDE SALSA DYNAMITE TOTTENHAM TORCH
By Sharon May 18, 2011 at 6:43 pm
it’s so freaking funny to read the palinbots comments like the one from wagnoodle – haha…Seriously?? Are you that profoundly stupid and ignorant to actually believe those of us that cannot stomach that trailer trash palin are jealous of her looks??? That is so typical of her rabid followers. You guys need to get past her botoxed face and fake rack…..this is NOT about looks you morons. This is about experience, policy, stability and intelligence. Palin has none of these very important requirements. She has proven to be a liar, a grifter, awful mother and very, very stupid. Did you guys miss the 2008 campaign? She’s vindictive, she’s an asshole and she’s produced a family that belongs in a trailer park along with her. Why don’t you guys all get together with the palin trash and start a new state far removed from this country – we don’t want you here. none of you.
By stimulus May 18, 2011 at 6:48 pm
hey Wagnoodle,
go Wag your fucking noodle
By Tom Bishop May 18, 2011 at 7:39 pm
Ffs, let the moron go!! Is any republican serious anymore? She’s an idiot and cannot compose an original (or literate) thought and you want to resurect her? Do you have ANY love for our country? We need to get back to ideas and Palin doesn’t have them. Can we Real Republicans please get it together!!
By Scooter May 18, 2011 at 8:33 pm
Do you feel compelled to say stupid things? Really? Palin, a helluva candidate? Did you forget she is dumb as dirt? She does not even try to learn what most 6th graders know. She QUIT her job. She chases money.( I cleaned up that thought.) She was disliked by the folks in her own state.I have friends who lived in Alaska when she was Gov. Palin presents a poor role model for mothers, professionals and wives. How could she possibly run a country? This is one time you have really lost it.
By Scooter May 18, 2011 at 8:37 pm
Wagnoodle: I do not think the media ( liberal or Faux News) has done anything to Palin. Just listen to anything she says. Tell me, do you really think she made any sense? Was it an accurate statement? Does she seem smart to you? If she does, then I have to believe you like to listen to very out of touch and dumb people.
By IMPEACHOBAMA May 18, 2011 at 9:19 pm
I certainly agree Palin isn’t the brightest bulb on the tree, but anyone who says she is ugly is jealous, is about two axe handles across the ass himself/herself, or is gay. The woman looks damn good for her age.
By Shlomo May 18, 2011 at 9:40 pm
“I certainly agree Palin isn’t the brightest bulb on the tree . . .”
WTF?
Why, you could that woman’s brain in a gnat’s fanny, and it would still rattle.
By Run Palin Run May 18, 2011 at 11:55 pm
If Palin the best the Republicans have to run in 2012, then it is a lost cause. Palin have the same odds that Phillip had to beat Boston Rob in Survivor. Slim to none.
The GOP have no one to beat Obama in 2012. No one. On top of that, people like Huckabee don’t want to waste their time knowing they will not beat him. If Palin runs, it for the money, nothing more. She don’t want to be president. She wants to be important and get paid for it. \
By Larry, Darrel & Darrell May 19, 2011 at 12:17 am
EVERY gas station price sign, every grocery store receipt, every utility bill, every family member/friend/neighbor or co-religionist without a job is a FREEE advertisement for the Republicans and their presidential candidate. If that candidate is Gov. Sarah Palin or someone picked from the Des Moines phone book, they win! Right now, Gov. Palin is the odds on favorite to win that nomination. Who can challenge her? Myth “RomneyCare” Romney? Newt “I cheated for patriotism” Gingrich? One of the dwarves? Get real!! I know many folks who are straining at the bit to help her out. Do you know anyone who is pumped up for Mr. Obama? If so, please share your experiences….
By RealHeal May 19, 2011 at 6:25 pm
She’s not relevant anymore. Who cares now her opinions on anything? She’s only good for pictures, and those are not improving.
By Godslayer May 20, 2011 at 6:59 pm
Sarah Palin is stupid. Proof: Anyone who thinks “What newspapers do you read?” is a trick question is stupid. Her problem, like that of her followers, is that she’s too stupid to know she’s stupid, or how stupid she is. Her followers, also being stupid, are also too stupid to realize how stupid she is.
By MajorC May 20, 2011 at 10:59 pm
Hey Shlomo what happened to your OWB buddy Jim Lewis? Did he retire? There seems to be a lot of “new” people frequenting FitsNews of late. It certainly makes this site look like its growing its fan base. Kinda’ odd how so many of the “regulars” disappeared at once. Just saying…