Fred Barnes: Palin Has "Dashed Her Chances" For 2012

Numerous Republican pundits who heartily backed Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin in 2008 have tried to argue that her surprise resignation could help her run in 2012. But the Weekly Standard's Fred Barnes just can't bring himself to do it.

Forget about Sarah Palin as the Republican presidential candidate in 2012 and probably ever. She may have no interest in seeking the GOP nomination. But if she does, her chances of winning the nomination have been minimized by her decision to resign as governor of Alaska. She's knocked out one of three legs of the presidential stool and a second one is wobbly. [...]

I first met Palin in 2007 and talked to her over lunch at the governor's mansion in Juneau. I was impressed. She talked quite ably about energy, taxes, and the environment--issues on the table in Alaska. I wrote a highly favorable story about her. I thought she was a brilliant choice as McCain's vice presidential running mate in 2008.

As Steve Benen wrote at the Washington Monthly, "When a shameless Republican cheerleader like Barnes believes Palin has done serious damage to her own, brief career in politics, it's a strong hint that Friday's bizarre announcement hasn't been well received among party sycophants."

Get HuffPost Politics On Facebook and Twitter!

Comments

[Jonathan Perkins]

When someone like Barnes or Kristol opines that Palin would be a good choice for national office, they pretty much obliterate their own credibility. Can you imagine a world in which Palin is responsible for U.S. diplomacy? And has the power to initiate military action? The only viable reason to support someone like Palin is the desire to usher in the rapture.

[freethinkergirl]

Sarah Palin wants to make laws which will put the government in charge of our most private personal and family decisions.

She is a threat to every American's civil liberties.

Anyone or party (GOP) which sets itself up as the moral arbiter of the land invites scrutiny and becomes a hypocrite in the action.

Sarah dishes it out, passes judgment, incites fear and r@cism, but she can't take criticism!!!

[dancucich]

I fervently hope she gets the GOP nomination
in 2012-a dream come true!
all progressives and demicrats should enthusiastically
support her, by crossing over into the GOP
primary if their state permits crossover voters.
And never cirticizeor discourage her. We need her to run...(against)

[rosal]

Like if she ever had a chance!

[Hopeandaplan]

Can you imagine how she and GOP 2012 presidential candidates would get into it? Do you remember how nasty Mitt Romney got with McCain during debates? When she was the VP candidate she could complain it was the media's fault she was so inarticulate. Is she going to blame other candidates when they're mean? Oh boy...

[anthead]

like she ever had a chance!

[rosal]

LOL! Telepathy, I wrote my comment before I saw yours.......birds of a feather

[symmetricol]

Hmm...in what universe did she have a chance at 2012? I mean, can her husband even get a security clearance? I'm convinced there are many more scandals on the horizon for this ah,...woman.

[The-Gentle-Art]

Good, no maybe she will go away.

I do however think that Mika Brzezinski is running a close second in terms of my hatred.

Check out this clip of her defending Palin, saying something about "Real Americans" connect with Palin.

Disgusting

http://progressnotcongress.org/?p=2052

[ppp1604]

all i had to do was view the you tube video of the dude from africa giving her the witchcraft prayer to realize how dangerous sarah palin is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kj-on3kfWuE

"every form of witchcraft, in the name of jesus..........." Is this really presidential material?

NOT!

[Deja Peterson]

no offense but, i think her chances at the presidency were blown after the katie couric interview.

[publicenemy2009]

Can you just go "pick some fish" you l0ser!

[rabiddog6708]

Sarah never had a chance in 2012. The other Repub contenders­..........­Hucklebe.r­ry and Mittens would r ip her to pieces.

[ImJustSaying007]

k July 6th, 2009 2:50 pm ET

Think about it: Sarah's argument is that the media sunk her reputation. But she came out swinging in MN. She was out to clobber Obama's reputation and all. She was not a respectful adversary, and she even attacked the media. Plus, she was the one who gave those dreadful interviews, she would not take her teams advice, and and she made judgments as to who real Americans were, and were not. She did so without regard of what peoples response would be, and she did not like the results. Now she quit her job, but she can still make tons of $ which is not a bad spot to be in. SHE NEEDS TO STOP CRYING ABOUT HER COVERAGE. Nobody is assured fair press. The press is an element with its own properties. There is no controlling it. Once false move and Obama will have to court them too.

[hrc04]

You promise?

[platanoman]

and this is coming from sarah palin's biggest supporter

[Ratfart]

Seems like Bill Kristol deserves that tag...