(August 27, 2010 - Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images North America)
With the success of Glenn Beck’s “Restoring Honor” rally, many have begun to speculate about whether he may have greater ambitions reaching beyond the role of political pundit / television and radio personality. Beck enthusiastically said no on Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace, but that hasn’t stopped the political world from kicking the idea around for him.
It should come as a surprise to no one, but the Beck for President 2012 campaign has already selected a running mate as well – Former Governor Sarah Palin. After all, she did share the stage with Beck this weekend and she is the biggest draw in town.
In all seriousness, Beck’s not running for President anytime soon; and just to set the record straight… neither is Rush or Sean Hannity. Their power is in the appeal of their message and that message loses all appeal when it is taken too literally. Beck, Limbaugh, Hannity derive their mass appeal from their ability to take the conversation to the edge of the absurd. They get to talk about theory and ideology, but are never forced to face the reality of putting their thoughts into action. A run at public office would turn that reality on its head, and the end result would likely be a candidate dissimilar to anything anyone expected.
But that doesn’t rule out the most famous former governor of her generation. Gov Palin is an intriguing candidate – yes, even I – the Anti-Palin – can admit that. Just look at the crowds she draws. Look at the media frenzy she creates when she utters even a simple word. That said, drawing a crowd doesn’t necessarily garner votes in November, so the story may truly end with Palin remaining the King-Maker of the conservative community. We shall see.
While I am not ready to lay down my political prognosticating life by choosing a GOP 2012 ticket at such an early date, many are already asking the question of who will oppose Obama-Biden just over two years from now. A 60 Minutes / Vanity Fair Poll tackles the question of whether America is ready to make that call. In fairness, this is a 60 Minutes / Vanity Fair Poll – so do with it what you will.
What does the nation think of a Palin ticket?
The Hill:
Fifty-nine percent of U.S. adults said they don’t think Palin, the 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate and potential 2012 candidate, would be an effective president of the United States.
Twenty-six percent of adults, by contrast, said they believe Palin would be effective, according to a “60 Minutes”/Vanity Fair poll conducted earlier this August.
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Not the best of news if you have your hopes set on a Palin/_________?? ticket for 2012, but its not all bad news I suppose…
Ben Smith has a unique take on Gov Palin. He compares her popularity to that of Jon Stewart
But the Daily Show’s Jon Stewart may be a better example. He gives the left a bit of what Palin gives the right — acid straight talk on the bogeyman of the moment. I’m sure he polls pretty well among Democrats. But I doubt he’d be widely rated an effective president.
But then, he’s not thinking about running.
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Her Favorability Numbers aren’t really helping her cause either. To win in a general election, these numbers are going to have to steadily improve. You can’t win a nomination let alone a nation-wide general election when just over one out of three people like you.
Outside the Beltway - 52.7% unfavorable versus 36.4% favorability
Perhaps more striking than the 52.7% unfavorability number (which I have to say surprised me) is the breakdown by political affiliation. From GOP 12
All adults: 59% no; 26% yes…. for -33% no.
Republicans: 47% yes; 40% no…. for +7% yes.
Democrats: 75% no; 12% yes…. for -63% no.
Independents: 63% no; 21% yes…. for -42% no.
Moderates: 70% no; 19% yes…. for -49% no.
Conservatives: 41% yes; 40% no…. for +1% yes.
Conservatives have a lower rating than Republicans??? I could have never seen that one coming. You’d think by the way “conservatives” come after me anytime I say anything even remotely Anti-Palin that she had a 100% approval rating. Who knew?
Photo Via Legal Insurrection
There are some things I admire Sarah Palin for. Her running for President is not one of them. I simply do not think we need her on the ticket because I do not believe she would be an effective President. Just my opinion, of course. I know there are a lot of people who would disagree with me, but if we put her on the ticket in 2012, I doubt the GOP will win.
You know I don’t want to see her on a ticket. I have staked my “conservative” credentials speaking out against the machine that is Sarah Palin. I respect the passion that she brings out in people and I certainly respect her following, but that is the end of the line with me. I think by the time 2012 rolls around it will be a non-issue. She will still have a niche following – that may still even be sizable – but she will have said enough, done enough, and failed to demonstrate even an ounce of gravitas that the Palin For President dream will be all but forgotten.
On a side note…. Have you noticed that many many many more on the Right are now willing to call her on her shortcomings or her frequent slips of the tongue? A year ago it would have been unthinkable.