55% of Republicans think GOP should be more like...

[windmillninja]

...Palin?

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics/republicans_like_gop_s_conservative _direction_democrats_don_t

Unaffiliated voters are much more closely divided. Thirty-nine percent (39%) say the party has been too conservative over the past eight years, while 34% think it’s been too moderate. For 14%, the party’s been about right, and 13% are undecided.


Regarding the future of the party, 46% of unaffiliated voters say follow Sarah Palin, while 26% like McCain. Just five percent (5%) give the nod to Bush, and 22% are not sure which way the party should go.


For McCain, unaffiliateds break 10% Very Favorable and eight percent (8%) Very Unfavorable. But 35% of unaffiliated voters have a Very Favorable opinion of Palin, compared to 15% who have a Very Unfavorable view.


The fact that many lean towards Palin despite her lack of charisma and general showmanship is a pretty telling example of how disenchanted many GOP supporters have become with the party. I'm not personally ready to say that Sarah Palin is the future of the Republican party, but I certainly agree that the GOP has become too moderate.


I wanted to open this thread for those few conservative posters here on AP to share their opinion of the Republican party. What say you? Is Palin (or a similar politician...say, Huck?) the direction we should take? Are we doing just fine? Let's hear it.

[CarryOn09]

am i to assume that liberals are not welcome here?

[windmillninja]

am i to assume that liberals are not welcome here?

It's an open thread. Anyone's free to chime in. I'm sure there will be several "Palin is stupid, so Republicans are, too, for supporting her" comments, however, there will more than likely be several liberal members here who have rather noteworthy observations to make regarding the other side, and I'll appreciate them just as much as anything a conservative would have to say.

[CarryOn09]

It's an open thread. Anyone's free to chime in. I'm sure there will be several "Palin is stupid, so Republicans are, too, for supporting her" comments, however, there will more than likely be several liberal members here who have rather noteworthy observations to make regarding the other side, and I'll appreciate them just as much as anything a conservative would have to say.
okay. i think that it's kind of wierd that some Republicans think that the party should try to be more Palin-like after many people said she was the reason Senator McCain lost. I would think that GOP leaders would want to distance themselves as much as possible from her after that.

[windmillninja]

okay. i think that it's kind of wierd that some Republicans think that the party should try to be more Palin-like after many people said she was the reason Senator McCain lost. I would think that GOP leaders would want to distance themselves as much as possible from her after that.

I'm one of those, and I wouldn't be surprised if most of those who say she is the future of the party also agree that she was the reason McCain lost. Palin was presented the right opportunity at the absolute worst time. This is both the fault of McCain for a haphazard vetting process and Palin for taking it when the odds were so against her.

The thing about it is that Palin does espouse many convservative values despite her lack of experience and credentials. No doubt McCain was trying to rally the base with his selection of her. In a political environment chock full of RINOs (namely McCain himself), many saw, and still see, Palin as a slight glimmer of hope for the GOP in that she wasn't a career-long participant in the same political system we'd seen for years.

Palin, in my opinion, is nowhere near ready to be a leading figure in the Republican party, but she certainly could be if she spends the next 4-8 years establishing herself and getting serious about both national and international affairs. Look what President Obama was able to accomplish in the same amount of time.

[CarryOn09]

Palin, in my opinion, is nowhere near ready to be a leading figure in the Republican party, but she certainly could be if she spends the next 4-8 years establishing herself and getting serious about both national and international affairs. Look what President Obama was able to accomplish in the same amount of time.
but do you think she'd even have a chance if President Obama's first four years go well? or do you think that the 2008 election will come back to bite her?

[theguy77]

okay. i think that it's kind of wierd that some Republicans think that the party should try to be more Palin-like after many people said she was the reason Senator McCain lost. I would think that GOP leaders would want to distance themselves as much as possible from her after that.

honestly you'd think they'd want to distance themselves as far from bush as possible as well but policy-wise mccain was a lot like him. im surprised he even got the amount of vote that he did given bush had less than a 10% approval rating when he left.

[windmillninja]

but do you think she'd even have a chance if President Obama's first four years go well? or do you think that the 2008 election will come back to bite her?

Depends on what you mean by "well". ;) Honestly, if Obama accomplishes everything we're hoping he does, I'll go door-to-door for the man come 2012.

[CarryOn09]

honestly you'd think they'd want to distance themselves as far from bush as possible as well but policy-wise mccain was a lot like him. im surprised he even got the amount of vote that he did given bush had less than a 10% approval rating when he left.
yeah. even so, Obama's 338 to McCain's 155 is still a spanking.
Depends on what you mean by "well". ;) Honestly, if Obama accomplishes everything we're hoping he does, I'll go door-to-door for the man come 2012.
i really believe that President Obama will have a stronger base even if Palin upps her game. he would really have to screw up to lose votes to her. but still, its a wait and see.

[J.C.]

Palin's nowhere near as intelligent as Obama and doesn't have anywhere near the ability Obama has as a political figure.

And I don't think it matters because I think she has no future as on the national level. First impressions are everything and she's not living down the countless times she's embarrassed herself over the past 6 months, whether it's not being able to answer simple questions or not having the awareness to recognize it'd be a bad idea to conduct an interview whilst turkeys get slaughtered in the background.

I actually think the fact that the poll has it only at 55% is a good thing(but then again, I have low expectations when it comes to conservatives). The number's more likely to go down than up.

I think Romney's the best bet for the 2012 nomination right now. Jindal's even got a better shot than Palin as well.

[GiggsOho]

I don't get why people, regardless of party, would consider this woman for a party nom in 2012. People still use the "well she can build herself up like Obama, and she'll be good to go." No. No no no no no no.

Sarah Palin is DUMB. There is no other way to get around it. SHE IS NOT SMART.

The mindfuck that is the GOP can be looked at like this - if they were smart, they would nominate Jindal in 2012, but they can't because the base is the white socially conservative evangelical population, which would want nothing but a white WASP. With America turning a social corner in electing Obama, the GOP base's usual candidate doesn't fit the usual mold. You can nominate Jindal and get moderates, and alienate your base. You nominate Romney, you get your base, but moderates go "pfft, we spent 4 years trying to redefine ourselves, and we get the re-tread who couldn't beat McCain for the nomination? This is a joke." It's going to take utter failure on Obama's part for the playing field even to be level again, and even then, I don't see the GOP changing at all, because they are too stubborn to realize their shit policies don't fit this country's mindset.

[PlacesToGo]

hahahhaha.

i am honestly completely shocked that everyone does not realize how dumbbbb she actually is because she doesnt do a good job trying to hide it. Modeling your party after the epitome of stereotypical American stupidity is a terrible idea.

[Machu505]

Have fun losing elections, GOP.

[billyboatkid]

haha great responses.

[Adeniz19]

it's a good thing she needs that other 45%, plus more, if she want's to win a national election.

[GuitarR0cker1]

I'd bet money that Palin will not be the Republican nominee in 2012.

[tambam]

I wish she'd just disappear. This woman isn't even smart enough to be governor, let alone run for anything higher than that. How someone this idiotic got the position of governor is beyond me.

[Praetor]

I wish she'd just disappear. This woman isn't even smart enough to be governor, let alone run for anything higher than that. How someone this idiotic got the position of governor is beyond me.
She's not smart enough to run a fucking Dunkin Donuts. If there is a god then he'll keep this woman up in Alaska where she doesn't represent my voice.

[tambam]

She's not smart enough to run a fucking Dunkin Donuts. If there is a god then he'll keep this woman up in Alaska where she doesn't represent my voice.

Pretty much.

[Justin_stacy]

Palin may want the nomination in '12 but it ain't gonna happen. The democratic media would just destroy her given her awful performance as a VP nominee last year.

Likely its going to be Romney, again, anyone excited!, and Bobby Jindal (http://www.bobbyjindal.com/)as the two main contenders. Romney's going to come out as the business/financial pick if Obama's recovery plan fails in the way the new deal did. He's hurt if Obama's plan works, which means Romney's gonna have to rebrand himself, but he's successfully done that before. Jindal, is the Obama of the RNC, he's 'youthful,' intelligent, charismatic, different, a captivative speaker and a Washington outsider. If the GOP as a whole was smart, and I don't think it is, they'd be getting this man's name and image out there and start grooming him for the job or at the very least as a strong candidate, in the same way the DNC succeeded in grooming Obama for the job.

[Praetor]

Palin may want the nomination in '12 but it ain't gonna happen. The democratic media would just destroy her given her awful performance as a VP nominee last year.

Likely its going to be Romney, again, anyone excited!, and Bobby Jindal as the two main contenders. Romney's going to come out as the business/financial pick if Obama's recovery plan fails in the way the new deal did. He's hurt if Obama's plan succeeds, which means Romney's gonna have to rebrand himself, but he's successfully done that before. Jindal, is the Obama of the RNC, he's 'youthful,' intelligent, charismatic, different, a captivative speaker and a Washington outsider. If the GOP as a whole was smart, and I don't think it is, they'd be getting this man's name and image out there and start grooming him for the job or at the very least as a strong candidate, in the same way the DNC groomed Obama for the job.
http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/politics/nbcs_palin_coverage_most_positive_o f_any_tv_organizationincluding_fox_ 98989.asp

EDIT: n/m I really misread your statement.

I agree with you on the likelihood of a Romney and/or Jindal challenging ticket.

[J.C.]

Palin may want the nomination in '12 but it ain't gonna happen. The democratic media would just destroy her given her awful performance as a VP nominee last year.

If you agree she was awful, why are you blaming the media?

[Justin_stacy]

Where did I blame the media for her being a stupid bitch?

[J.C.]

I assumed you were invoking the 'democratic media' as if that was the reason she wouldn't stand a chance. Otherwise why make the allusion?

[Justin_stacy]

Its a reason, of course. Just as the 'Democratic' media's riddiculous and bias love affair with Mr Obama was a helpfully reasons he won and has now achieved super-star (or what i might call cult) like status, but it certainly wasn't the sole reason.

Palin can not stand up to 'press' scrutiny, particuarly the type 'Democrat' leaning press is going to lob at her, that is what I ment by that comment, and its also one of the reasons she won't be allowed to run.

[J.C.]

I didn't realize the media was directly responsible for electing our Presidents. How would you like to explain Bush's two terms?

[Justin_stacy]

Seriously?

Luck, and Kerry being the worst nominee since Carter.

[J.C.]

I agree with those as factors, though there have arguably been plenty of nominees worse or just as bad since Carter, nor am I not fully convinced the Democrats could've won in '04 regardless of who they nominated. I just fail to see how either could outweigh a media bias that you are contending played such a giant role in Obama's election.

Frankly I think you're just looking for an excuse and the media is always the go-to-scapegoat for conservatives. All you have to do is look at our modern history and you'll see that the more charasmatic, captivating candidate wins the Presidential election 99% of the time, regardless of party.

If you want to argue a universal media bias, it's more likely from a financial standpoint(whatever makes them the most money) than an ideological one. There are clearly outlets and subsets of the media that are driven by their ideological bent, but the idea that they're all in cahoots and all fall under the same tent is silly. There are many different incarnations of the media, all with their different agendas.

[born to expire]

I am a registered Republican, but I am socially very liberal. I want Sarah Palin nowhere near my party unless she gets some sort of graduate degree over the next few years. What a moron. I want to see Eric Cantor play a larger role in the GOP.

[windmillninja]

I'm beginning to think I'm the only conservative left on AP, lol. Seriously, though, thanks for the responses, all. I knew there were going to be "She's fucking retarded" comments, but I was pleased to see most of those brought about in a helpful and thought-provoking manner.

[theguy77]

No but seriously Sarah Palin really really is stupid. There's no two ways about it. An intelligent person knows Africa is a continent.

hahahah the funniest part is when shes trying to BS her way around interviews, hahaha for one she sucked at bullshitting cause she stuttered a lot, it took her minutes to say a solid sentence and she would only say some general campaign talking point no matter how specific of a question was asked. then you get someone like katie couric who's sharp enough to catch that immediately and pose the question again more bluntly and it just really revealed what an idiot she actually was.

haha she didnt know "south africa" was a country. and shes trying to be a global diplomat? what the fuck? because russian planes fly over alaska and she "keeps an eye on them" hahahha

/dead horses

[captainhampton]

I'm beginning to think I'm the only conservative left on AP, lol. Seriously, though, thanks for the responses, all. I knew there were going to be "She's fucking retarded" comments, but I was pleased to see most of those brought about in a helpful and thought-provoking manner.

It's not that I hate Palin and I do think she could be a good governor and politician. However, like others have said, I really do not think she has the intelligence to be someone that the party should rally behind. Put me on the Bobby Jindal bandwagon too. The GOP needs someone like him who is young, bright, and communicates well.

[CarryOn09]

hahahah the funniest part is when shes trying to BS her way around interviews, hahaha for one she sucked at bullshitting cause she stuttered a lot, it took her minutes to say a solid sentence and she would only say some general campaign talking point no matter how specific of a question was asked. then you get someone like katie couric who's sharp enough to catch that immediately and pose the question again more bluntly and it just really revealed what an idiot she actually was.

haha she didnt know "south africa" was a country. and shes trying to be a global diplomat? what the fuck? because russian planes fly over alaska and she "keeps an eye on them" hahahha

/dead horses
http://www.joeydevilla.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/tina_fey_palin_debate.jpg

[Machu505]

Jindal should not run in 2012. It's far harder to kick out an incumbent than to win a fresh election. They should throw some joker up in 2010 who won't damage the party but isn't one for the future, i.e Bob Dole in 1996.

So Sarah Palin?

[GuitarR0cker1]

Jindal should not run in 2012. It's far harder to kick out an incumbent than to win a fresh election. They should throw some joker up in 2010 who won't damage the party but isn't one for the future, i.e Bob Dole in 1996.
Of course if Obama is unpopular, it would be wise for Jindal to run. I highly doubt he will be unpopular though.

[&IllBeTheReason]

Rallying the base can only do so much. I don't think, given her past, that she would be able to re-establish herself as somebody other than the joke the media perceived her to be(and probably really is) in '08.

[perceptrons]

I hope Jindal runs in a time he can never get elected. He has some scary views.

[Machu505]

I hope Jindal runs in a time he can never get elected. He has some scary views.

Agreed.

[CarryOn09]

Of course if Obama is unpopular, it would be wise for Jindal to run. I highly doubt he will be unpopular though.
unless he severly fucks up, Obama will continue to be popular. and im talking punching one of his kids in front of the white house reporters fucked up

Rallying the base can only do so much. I don't think, given her past, that she would be able to re-establish herself as somebody other than the joke the media perceived her to be(and probably really is) in '08.
once again...

http://www.joeydevilla.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/tina_fey_palin_debate.jpg