Woman to Woman: Advice to Gov. Sarah Palin on Running for the Presidency in 2012
Well, I guess it is all but official now: Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has just announced that she will resign from office in late July 2009 to "affect positive change from outside government." Sounds like a noble thing to do, but as someone who has followed politics for the past 20 years or so I can tell you it is a "bogus" statement which is simply code for "I'm running for president."
As a lifelong moderate-centrist Republican woman I want to offer the soon-to-be former governor and presumed GOP nominee hopeful in 2012 some unsolicited, but hopefully useful political counsel:
1. Surround yourself with political advisors who have real life experience and who get that the GOP has to "broaden" its base, not shrink it to be successful in 2010 and 2012. Do not recycle the same old hacks that have run our political party into the ground over the last 8-12 years. It will be your undoing.
2. Reach out to the bigger GOP tent -- you have the love and support of the GOP Conservative base. I was there in Leesburg, Virginia a few days before the 2008 election covering your speech to about 7,000 Virginians for XM's POTUS08 and you did a great job. You are at your best when you are being yourself -- get out and mix it up with the people and you will do well. Your 2008 GOP Convention Speech was fabulous -- you need to sound like that woman every time you speak, give an interview, etc.
3. Build coalitions -- Governor, respectfully you cannot win the nomination in 2012 if you try to do it as the "old boys" do it. My money is on Mitt Romney in 2012. The GOP loves to give the nomination to people that they feel are "owed" their chance -- Bush '41, Dole, McCain. The "boys" will start to tear you apart now that you have stepped into the arena -- so get ready. You had better have some smart women, and people of color around you who can build real inroads for you nationally in diverse communities. This is the only shot you have of winning the nomination in 2012. Period.
4. Take time to learn and educate yourself about world affairs -- go get a degree from the Kennedy School of Government, Lecture at some universities in Europe, take some courses in foreign affairs from Heritage or Cato. You must do better when you speak to the American people about serious issues of national importance. President Obama's charisma covers for his shortcomings as a serious student of foreign affairs, etc. You have this possibility also, but you are not quite there yet. Work on this seriously over the next 12 months or so.
5. Be a woman of conviction. I admire your spunk, passion, and grit in running for office in Alaska and ascending to the Governorship of Alaska in such a short time -- but you are in the arena now -- be a woman of your word. Fight for change, reform, inspire people, speak truth, be a consensus builder not a divider, refocus Americans on our founding documents and principles -- we need that now. If you prove that you can do this, it will serve you well in 2010 for a Senate run or in 2012 for the presidential nomination.
This is my immediate reaction to what Gov. Palin needs to do in order to be taken seriously as a candidate for federal office in either 2010 or 2012. If she can hunker down, stay out of trouble, write a serious best-selling memoir and show herself able to speak to serious national issues she will be as they say " a real contender."
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All of your suggestions would be fine for someone WHO WOULD BE CONSIDERED A REAL, LEGITIMATE CANDIDATE for president. The reality of Palin is there is no place for someone as nutty and inexperienced anywhere near the presidency, PERIOD.
Yes, that's the fundamental problem with this article. It is written as though there is something Palin can do to "fix herself up" and "be a contender.
As a matter of fact, Palin has a better chance of playing a fictional boxer in a movie than she does being President. No Hollywood studio would even allow Palin to act in a Presidential role in a movie.
It would be like "War of the Worlds" and reasonable people all over the globe would buy generators and go off the grid so that President Sarah couldn't shoot them from a helicopter for not handling snakes or not believing that dinosaurs and humans once hunted gay men together.
Palin cannot do anything but make money for herself or other right-wing candidates. Ever. Period.
Don't you think that her knowledge of and interest in world events, etc. should be the driving force behind her ambition?
Rather than her ambition being the driving force for her to gain knowledge and interest in world events?
Oh wait, Republicans don't care about substance.
We all found out in 2008 that she did not know what the Vice President's job is. Obviously, she doesn't understand the job of governor, either.
My advice to Ms. Palin about running for president in 2012 -- or ever? DON'T. The country simply couldn't stand the drama. We need serious contenders in both parties to keep the two-party system alive.
Sorry, but is this comment or satire ?
There are so many assumptions being made which need some questioning such as:
"go lecture at European universites". These are not places were American politicians just walk in and hold conferences. You would need to be invited.
"your convention speech was fabuolous" yeah but certainly not uniting
"President Obama's charisma covers for his shortcomings as a serious student of foreign affairs" Is this a joke ? Why should he not be taken as "serious" on foreign affairs knowledge. This is one area he has turned out to be above expectations. Quite frankly I don't remember presidents with higher understanding of foreign countries. Then you might disagree on his foreign policy, but that is an entirely different question.
"Is this comment or satire?" Both.
"Satire should, like a polished razor keen,
Wound with a touch that's scarcely felt or seen."
Lady Montagu
They blundered because they failed to grasp the intricate nature and complexities of ethnic nationalities and their attendant loyalities. National security establishment thought that overthrowing Saddam by a foreign power was in the best interest of Iraqis. Even today there are many in the National security establishment who thinks the democracy is taking root in Iraq and that low level of violence is a measure of success. No, the ethnic nationalities have just hunkered down waiting for the departure of the foreign occupying forces before the assert themselves. Ask the French, Brits, Sparnards what happened to the countries they colonized after they left. Most degenerated into ethnic national civil wars. Violent ethnic civil war seems like the necessary pre-requisite for establishing stable national government. But US national security establishment thought that sophisticated weapon system was all it takes to establish stable central government.
Sophia A. Nelson
“Yea that is why his VP Joe Biden cracked on his credentials severely during the primary and said he would stand by his comments. Enough said.” Sophia A. Nelson
The then Senator Obama has thin credential when it comes to national security issues per Joe Biden’s viewpoint. It means how long one served in the Congress or the federal executive branch. Those who do, have knowledge of weapon system and all the phases changes that took place during the cold war. Here is the critical and crucial question. Why did the majority of the national security establishment commit the blunder in supporting invasion of Iraq, an act that represents the worst national security disaster of our time?
This piece demonstrates the Republican desperation as they search for leadership. Anyone who has paid any attention to Sarah Palin would not recognize her by your description nor believe she is intellectually capable of what you advise. You are in fact recommending she do something that so many people despise about politicians - become something she isn't to achieve political office. And really, "lecture at some universities in Europe?" Cringe.
You know the weird part? The criticisms of Palin that are in the news this week, all the supposedly vile horrible stuff they said about her (or even worse, the fact that they let her emails go out there for the world to see!), all the things that make up the "national full court press" she complained about,
NONE of it is from Democrats. It's not even from random Republicans from outside her bubble.
ALL the criticism comes from inside the campaign, from Republicans who supposedly were employed to help her.
There is a difference between "inspiring loyalty" and "inspiring confidence
Democrats have no reason to criticize Palin. We didn't know it would run her off the field of battle, first of all. But secondly, Republicans are doing a great job for us, and it will only get worse as the 2012 primaries draw near.
Obama didn't have to say one critical word about Palin in '08. Nor would he in '12. But Romney will, and so will Pawlenty. That is when it starts to become fun to watch.
Unless I've missed it in the ocean of comments, no one has mentioned one of the most delicious Palin ironies of all.
She is whining about having to fend off accusations ethics violations, as though she should not even be subject to accusation.
But she ascended to office by campaigning against Republican Frank Murkowski and highlighting HIS alleged ethics violations. Most of those supposed violations were brought to light by her supporters.
As always with Palin, it's only ok if she does it ("palling around with domestic terrorists" but no mention of the Alaska Independence Party).
Her basketball analogy is wrong. She is not passing the ball for victory. As she was bringing the ball across half court, she heard an announcer say something uncomplimentary about her game. So she threw the ball at the announcer and ran to the showers.
no, she ran to the TV cameras. Mirror, Mirror on the wall...
I think she should definately learn about foreign policy from either, Heritage or Cato.
Then she can learn foreign policy from a bunch of old white guys who think its still the 1950's and have absolutely no frickin idea what they are talking about. Or better yet, she could hire one of the geniuses from the American Enterpise Institute who's expertise is writing books about the books they have read. She could learn about moral absolutism from a bunch of people with no morals, but she would fit right in.
Sophia, your advice would be great for just about anyone else but this is Sarah Palin. Considering her severe personal, professional and intellectual deficiencies, the most patriotic thing she can do would be to leave the public sphere forever and go somewhere where she'll do the least amount of damage. That is the best this country can hope for.
Guam?
why is everyone so focused on 2012? Obama will be a tough out for anyone, the gury is a great campaigner. I'd think about 2016 if I was Palin. Campaign for as many Senators and Congressman as she can, fundraise like crazy for the party. Build up goodwill and favors from the washington powerbase. She is only 45 years old. She would only be 52 in 2016. and then as now she has one great advantage over the rest of the Republican contenders
That is true about Mitt, he had to stuff straw poll ballot boxes, and only have 50 show up in Nashville at the Pancake House --- Tenn gave his a 'grand slam' out the door.
The Kennedy School, really? If they take her then it's more of a joke school then I've heard. She doesn't even have a simplistic understanding of international policy and politics. Her attitude towards governance seems transitory and simplistic.
The true problem with this country is that we elect prom queens and kings to fix problems they didn't even study in school or worked with any seriousness in their professional life. We don't need Ph.D's, but someone who, maybe, has done some research into various public issues or (if it isn't too much to ask) international issues. When politician's rely too much on outside experts, how do we know if they are going to question what the experts have to say or will leave them to their own devices. No one is expected to be well versed in all areas, but to have no expertise in any area seems silly to run on--let alone to be elected on.
Although I totally disagreee with your advise to Ms. Palin and absolutely disagree that she was any more abused than President Obama or other Public Figures have been......
I do respect your responding to the posted Comments as it tells me you are interested in your Reader's opinions and it gives a better glimpse of the 'person' behind the Blog.
Thank you for that.
I agree that the "boys" will tear her apart, but it won't be because she stepped into the arena. It will be because she quit her job halfway through the first term! Romney, Jindal, Huckabee, and Pawlenty Iif he runs) have all been governors of much larger states for at least one full term, and none of those quit their jobs to run for higher office. In addition, all of those guys have much more experience (and are much smarter on national issues) than Palin...an
If Palin wants people to take her seriously then this is not the way to do it. Resigning from office makes her look like a spoiled little child who runs away from responsibility when it becomes convenient to do so. Her sole asset last year was that she was the only politician in the race with "executive experience," and she just ruined that by quitting. How does she expect people to believe that she can run fifty states when she can't even run one?
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