Palin Says She'll Stump for Democrats, Hints at Third Party

In a new, exclusive interview with the Washington Times that just hit the press today, Sarah Palin indicates she's likely to go fully rogue.

The former Republican vice-presidential nominee and heroine to much of the GOP's base said in an interview she views the electorate as embattled and fatigued by nonstop partisanship, and she is eager to campaign for Republicans, independents and even Democrats who share her values on limited government, strong defense and "energy independence."

"I will go around the country on behalf of candidates who believe in the right things, regardless of their party label or affiliation," she said over lunch in her downtown office, 40 miles from her now-famous hometown of Wasilla -- population 7,000 -- where she began her political career.

"People are so tired of the partisan stuff -- even my own son is not a Republican," said Mrs. Palin.

SaraPac, Palin's official fund-raising PAC effort, has printed an excerpt from a commentary by blogger Tammy Bruce, and also linked to Bruce's post in which Tammy Bruce writes,

Enter now Sarah Palin with very encouraging comments that lead one to believe that she is indeed planning to do what she must: build an independent conservative movement and take this nation back from the liberals which now control both parties. Thanks liberals, for provoking Sarah into the national scene while vetting that family at the same time.

One thing I will say, the Washington Times with their headline for this exclusive interview reveal an anti-Palin stance. She is, don't doubt, a threat to every existing political status quo. I hope the Washington Times and their editors realize, sooner than later, that the Palin movement is unstoppable

The true bull moose in the living room is Palin's dual associations with the Alaska Independence Party and with a related religious movement covered extensively during the fall of 2008 by a small group of writers associated with the blog Talk To Action, by a handful of mainstream media journalists such as Laurie Goodstein of the New York Times, and by a few Alaska politics insiders such as Leah Burton.

While liberal media and bloggers have tended to indulge in speculation that Palin's resignation was driven by looming scandals, Alaska native Burton, author of a recent book on Palin, Theopalinism: The Face of failed Extremism, wrote a July 6th, 2009 analysis of Palin's surprise resignation that seems prescient in light of Palin's latest signals, which include hints that she might break out, in classic "Bull Moose" fashion, to spearhead an independent third party effort.

Burton's June 6th post outlined likely reasons behind Palin's resignation from the Alaska governor's seat:

This is a rallying cry!  She is not kidding when she states that she is not retreating - but advancing.  Once the decision was made by herself and other contributors to her decision as to how to best utilize Palin's extraordinary popularity to advance the power and resurgence of the GOP, resignation was the ONLY option that makes sense for the following reasons - because she is now free to traverse this country unencumbered by official duties AND:

       1. Excite and ignite her base - a base broader than that solely of the GOP, bringing together extremists, Libertarians, Constitution Party members as well as GOP loyalists - all under one umbrella in a way that no other republican candidate has been able to achieve to date;

       2. Because of her "rock star" popularity she is an invaluable asset to the floundering Republican Party as a fundraiser for the GOP (whether Mitt, Newt, Huckabee or any of the rest of the presidential hopefuls care to admit it through clenched teeth);

       3. They can capitalize on her ability to generate untold numbers of evangelical extremists to register to vote significantly increasing the likelihood for success in local and national elections;

       4. And, while everyone debates over "will she/won't she" regarding 2012, the GOP strategists are winding her up to let her go on the 2010 campaign trail in an all out effort to dominate local, state and congressional seats - by riling the masses into a pitched fervor through propaganda over Obama = Bad! Using all the scare tactics and fear-mongering popular in GOP campaigns such as Muslim, socialism, debt, non-aggressive defense posture, and the terrorism threat to the safety of our country;

       5. And THEN lastly, it does give her time to consult with the religious ghost-writer assigned from Zondervan [Christian] Publishing to meet her contract obligation for her upcoming book release in Spring of 2010...which is an incredible tool that will have tremendous impact on growing her followers when she does in fact, decide to throw her harpoon into the presidential race of 2012.

Understand this...she is a devout believer in her role in the "Great Commission".  Therefore, to stay on as a "lame duck" governor really does NOT make sense in terms of furthering the GOP goal of taking back the majority in Congress, and do what they have done best since 1976 - ramp up campaigns from school boards to city councils/assemblies to state legislatures to U.S. Congress - and ultimately 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

A few voices in mainstream media, such as The San Fransisco Chronicles' Willie Brown and The Politico's Roger Simon (who wrote a piece satirizing the post-resignation media Palin pile-on) have bucked the trend to dismiss Palin's resignation as self-defeating. And at least one voice, Chris Cillizza writing for the Washington Post, has attached some hard numbers to "The Palin Sympathy Effect". According to a new Gallup Poll, a majority of Americans feel press coverage of Palin has been unfair.

With reporters building entire edifices of Palin speculation based on Runner's World photos of Palin preparing to run (quickly ambulate, that is, rather than pursue political office) and amidst the flurry of liberal talk show jokes deriding Palin's intelligence it's understandable that many Americans who might not support Sarah Palin's political views are nonetheless coming to see Palin as a victim. In short, Sarah Palin appears to have manipulated the media with impeccable timing and considerable finesse. First the media, next the nation. Onward, Sarah Palin. Meanwhile, about your witch hunter friends... oh, forget it.

 

Comments

[stanjam]

LoL. Somehow I don't see a lot of candidates of ANY party requesting her to stump for them. As far as leading a political party, I don't see it. That would take hard work and dedication, and she is someone who has quit just about every tough job she ever had. She can't handle pressure OR responsibility.

While part of me wants the Repubs to choose her as a candidate, I am also in fear of it, because of what that would say about our nation. It is embarrassing to have her represent ANY party or faction in this nation. We have a lot of smart, talented, dedicated people in this country. Palin makes me smack my head and want to tell people I am Canadian every time she speaks.

[Stacie Markham]

You know what's embarrassing for me? The fact that you all have chosen B.O. as your saviour. I mean, that really stinks, lol. The muslim/terrorist world is loving it, and the rest of the world is wondering if we've really lost our minds over here. You all were so blinded that you couldn't see pure deception when it slapped you right across your silly, live in a fantasy world, left winged faces and now this country is going to suffer for many years to come because of Barrack HUSSEIN Obama. He's going to leave a legacy, alright. Trillions and trillions of dollars worth of legacy.

But I have to admit, I love the way Sarah Palin gets you all riled up and tongue tied and red in the face, pullng your hair out and all. You all suddenly develop a bad case of turrets at the mere whisper of the initials S.P., lol. Then you start showing your true hateful foul mouthed colors.

But not to worry , this Bible thumbing, gun toting, conservative (obviously unintelligent) woman has already chosen B.O.s successor for 2012. And I'm pretty sure that alot of others feel the same way.. You all know her name very well. See you in 2012?

[Venise Alstergren]

Much as I dislike Sarah Palin I can't see how she, or anyone else, emerging in a country which seems to be almost structured for a two-party system.

Surely the amount of money needed would be stratospheric. Any thought of a third party would have to start out with a distinct philosophy. Something major political parties all over the world seem to be losing. It isn't easy to capture people's imagination when they have so many things to think about. A party dedicated to the Green movement, to be doing something to help the environment, endangered flora and fauna. These sorts of issues would have the ability to cut across the existing parties and could engender a great deal of interest. However, it would be very slow going.
I could be utterly wrong. But I cannot see how America could do with yet another right-wing political party. The sort of environmental party I'm thinking of would have to be of the left. Not the lunatic far-left. On the other hand right-wing parties aren't prone to encouraging thought about the good of a country.
The thought of Sarah Palin having the intellectual strength to start such a party is akin to imagining Groucho Marx as playing King Lear or Hamlet.

[bighat]

Has anyone considered that Palin's base may expand.

If her base is made up of people who believe the members of congress are not representing the will of their constitutents. People may want to send a wake up to Wash DC that they are not happy. Her base could expand to those dissatisfied with congress's inability to pass a healthcare plan to those who think congress has lost their mind by rescuing corporations and ensuring the richest 1% of american get multi million dollar bonuses. Should the american people ever find out the dollar figure going t support everyone from the Honduras to the palestinans they maybe angry knowing that healthcare could easily be paid for if we stopped the money giveaway

Palin's real strentgh may not be in the run for president but making both the democrat and republican parties adapt to her influence and/or the needs of the people who support her

[hauty007]

It's too late to change the two party transmission apparatus,......but any America Firsters from the two are welcome to come along WITHOUT their backseat political driving licenses.

[XME]

The Palinista Party?

[harmonikasavingsbonds]

The third party would be the Alaskan Independence Party.

[Moshka]

That's all true, but her constituency, however passionate and ready to go, is shrinking rapidly. The whire rural America is no longer the voting base of the country, like it or not. In fact, that is precisely why the people who like her do like her - because they are just as upset as she is that they are no longer in the majority. The "off with his head" crowd of the last election cycle is not, let's face it, upset about a Democrat winning an election.

[bighat]

moshka

if you were correct in your statement why is Palin still front page news

i do not know about the voting base of the country but tv viewers, blog commenters and those that read them seem to want more and more of palin. . when someone is able to break thru michael jackson's coverage you know the story has legs.

but our congressional leaders in congress maybe using the distraction of palin to push thru a healthcare version w/o the public option. At the most a very watered down version of healthcare that the public wants but not big business or the member of congress

[iMissMollyIvins]

Palin campaigning for Democratic candidates is the best shot Republicans have for winning those races.

[averygard]

Third party: Crazeeee Far Righters.

[Stacie Markham]

Liberalism is proven to be a mental illness.... I think they may have developed a medication for it.

[arvay]

This is good news and bad news.

Good news because -- and I'm not happy abut this -- third parties will never take the presidency because the two bought-and-sold parties -- the Democrats and Republicans -- have a lock on the money that fuels the electoral process. Which means she'll not be president, at least not anytime soon, probably never.

Which is better for the country.

Of course, it would be truly wonderful if she ran for president as a Republican next time, because that would mean certain defeat. Even better than Huckabee, who is capable of feigning reasonableness and not talking much about the 6,000 year-old earth.

But it probably clears the way for the smarter breed of neocon vampires like Elizabeth Cheney and maybe Ralph Reed? who will be far more clever and know how to stick to a script. Either one of these within ten miles of the nuclear trigger is very frightening.

I'm hoping their next candidate is Jindal, because he's so ineffective and will upset all the Republican white supremacists who don't realize that high-caste Indians are Caucasians.

[Stacie Markham]

Good news because -- and I'm not happy abut this -- third parties will never take the presidency because the two bought-and-sold parties -- the Democrats and Republicans -- have a lock on the money that fuels the electoral process. Which means she'll not be president, at least not anytime soon, probably never.

I think you are wrong about this. The american people aren't dumb, and they are getting sick to death of both parties. It's time that a statement was made to politicians. They've forgotten that they work for us. Just listen to the comments and jokes B.O. made when thousands upon thousands, dems and republicans alike, protested his ridiculous spending at the tea parties. I've never heard such arrogance. And if you don't think that Sarah Palin has the capability to raise large amounts of money, maybe you should think again.

As for the name calling, why don't you all give it a rest? It's a real turn off, and will likely be the demise of the dems in 2012. I for one know that if i disliked you all before, i really hate you now. : )
Get over it.

[1murillo]

The US is built for two parties. Nationally, the parties change every so often, but a third will never win.

[notadumbblonde]

I disagree; a third party is most welcome, also an independent who will not cater to all the liberals. This could be really exciting to watch unfold.

[bighat]

all palin needs is a smart strategist who can use her blunders to endear her to the public. add in Frank Luntz's phrases and we may have a winner. At the very least a movement in which the 2 parties must adjust

[DiogenesOfAlaska]

If the republican party splits in two, then one of the two pieces may very well win - in a decade or so.

It's true that American democracy is very closely tied historically to the two party system. And it has served the country well. But there's still (and always) room for improvement. I'm not an expert, but I have always wondered why the US doesn't want proportional representation.

[Stacie Markham]

There won't be anything left of this country in "a decade or so". We'll be the equivolent of some third world country after B.O. is done with us.....

[dsws]

Third parties never do very well at winning high office, but they have sometimes won their policy battles. The Prohibition Party only elected one guy to Congress and one governor as far as I see at a quick glance, but the 18th Amendment did get passed.

[trisha08]

This means one or two things:

One: she is trying to expand her base from her small right wing fans and try to appear to be bipartisan.

Two: Money talks. She is willing to be a non-partisan money-grabber. Does anyone think she will be donating her time? She will be asking for cold hard cash, so who ever is willing to pay her........

It's going to be tough to walk that tightrope and keep her rabid-right wing fans happy. Wouldn't speaking for a Dem be considered a betrayal? Plus, from what I have read, they think she will be leading a new....super conservative party...so a bipartisan Palin isn't what they are screaming for as their new leader.

[dali partin]

Or 3 - it's all lip-service and posing.

[DenverJJ]

BW,
You guys are not getting it....she's going to be Teddy Roosevelt in a skirt.... make money and wait.
DenverJJ

[knowwhatimsayin]

I think it's highly unlikely Palin could ever get the Republican nomination. While she's immensely popular with the base, many of the rank and file (McCain notwithstanding) seem to understand that if she got the nomination the election results would likely be disasterous for the party--similar to Goldwater in 1964. I could see her running as an independent ala Perot and splitting the Republicans in the way that Perot split up Bush 41`s base in 1992. In either scenario, it would only be good news for Obama.

[dsws]

I'd put her at a five-to-one shot of winning the nomination. If Obama is looking strong in a year and a half, some Republicans who seriously hope to become president won't run, or will run minimal campaigns to collect contributions, build name recognition, and make contacts for 2016. Party kingmakers may figure that throwing the base a bone in 2012 will help get them to support a (relative) moderate in 2016.

[ej3]

Palin giving a stump speech could be defined as the stump speaking (as in dumb as a stump. a less eloquent way of what saying what Peggy Noonan did in the WSJ).