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.