The Irony of the Palin Gambit

[MattBaggins]

The GOP really thought they could peel off Hillary's supporters and cause a long term schism in the Democratic party; on the same scale as the infamous Reagan Democrats. They really thought they could put a long term fracture in place; yet never saw the brick wall they were rocketing toward. They failed miserably and instead hung the albatross around their own necks. They unwittingly set themselves up to be the recipients of the very schism they wished to inflict. What does the RNC plan on doing in 2012 when the right wing base of their party screams for Palin to run? Will people like Cornyn run against her and tear her apart in the primaries? The Republicans will find themselves in a primary campaign so bitter it will make the Obama/Clinton one look like a spat between high school lovers. Do they even see it coming? Do they realize that if she loses; the republican version of PUMA, will be an organization that actually has teeth. If she wins; they will loose all the voters left of Limbaugh. The Republicans have managed to lose two elections at the same time. The only hope they have is to encourage Palin to fade away and start fresh.

[knowbody0]

1. and tonight is proof they did not vet her

[iceman66]

2. Was there ever any doubt?

[LoKnLoD]

3. She will be forgotten

Palin will be a forgotten footnote in history in 4 years.

[gratefultobelib]

4. Agree.

[MattBaggins]

6. I believe the Republican party will try to do that

Stick her deep in a cave somewhere in ANWAR. The question is will she go willingly and will the base allow it? I wonder if the backroom bosses will do what they feel is needed to destroy her. I would not be suprised if they are the ones who will blow the lid off of her affair and "expose" the AIP and her connections to them.

Wonder how she is going to like Rove when he has her as his target.

[renie408]

9. I think they miscalculated drastically with Palin. She will NOT go quietly

back up to Alaska to hide away. She is going to write a BOOK (or have one written for her) and give SPEECHES and get her own RADIO show...They unleashed her and now we are all going to be stuck with her. I have the feeling that she is more ambitious than any of them realize.

[Andy823]

10. I have to agree.

She is power hungry, and this run at the VP has just increased that hunger. I think her political career will fade away, but not without a fight from her. I wonder if she can get elected for a second term in Alaska after this mess?

[calmblueocean]

13. You called it. Palin is going to spend every day of the next 4 years preparing to run.

4 years from now, she'll be able to talk knowledgeably about many issues. She won't humiliate herself in the primaries, because her ambition will motivate her to study.

I don't know whether she will win, but I do know she won't just fade away. She's far too vain for that.

[MindMatter]

14. She may have ambition, but she's not very smart

I can't see her engineering her own national career. The only way she remains on the national scene is if she has some powerful sponsors. I wouldn't rule that out. After all, who else does the GOP have? At least she can draw a crowd.

[volstork]

12. Let's hope so!

(but let's make it 4 MONTHS)

[nichomachus]

16. I wish that were true

but she will become a darling of the right-wing propaganda machine. Look for her to become a "political commentator." She'll be trotted out twice a day to shriek against Obama -- and she'll be on the Toady Show so often they'll give her her own dressing room.

[kansasblue]

5. very interesting analysis!

I have been reading about how Sarah is going to be on all short list for 2012. But a couple weeks ago you'd assume that would be great news for the Rs with all the enthusiasm she brings. But now, seeing her base, I see the possible damage you mention.

[MattBaggins]

7. Not to kick my own thread ;)

I wonder who DUers think will run against her in the Republicans primaries; and how it would play out.


Hell we have this election wrapped up; let's start musing and planning the next one.

[LoKnLoD]

8. Bobby Jindal

I read that Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal is the new up and coming darling of the right.

[qwlauren35]

11. It won't be that hard.

As soon as they find ANY other Republican woman to throw up as "the next Sarah Palin", the current Sarah Palin is history.

The GOP will find her, mold her, coach her, give her time in the spotlight... and then she will replace Palin in the hearts of fundamentalist Republicans.

Trust me, they are already looking for her.

[DarleenMB]

15. She'll have her own show

on fox. That's about all she's good for. Unless she lands in prison for her abuses of office.

[TNMOM]

17. If the extreme wing is dumb enough to push her for 08, that's good news for us..

Something tells me that more moderate voices will rule. The whole party will swing more to the middle. Whoever they put up is going to get a serious drubbing, regardless. Obama will win a second term.

[Danascot]

18. My hope is that the GOP will be

so discredited by 2012 that they will have ceased to exist as a viable political party.

[Laelth]

19. This is a remarkably interesting thread.

Thanks OP and posters alike.

I need to digest this a bit before I respond.

:dem:

-Laelth

[anonymous171]

20. lol Did they sleep through their Political Science 101 classes?

Party Realignment begins as an ideological schism, not an emotional schism.