Is the GOP setting up Palin/Bachmann on purpose to paint Dems as anti-women, then change?

[Electric Monk]

At the last minute in the convention there's a big switch to Romney/Crist or whatever? Seems like a ploy to me at this point...

...or maybe it's Summer Season, just a bit early...

[Sebastian Doyle]

1. That would mean they would revive the PUMA bullshit.

But it would be a little hard to sell them as "Hillary supporters" this time.

[Ozymanithrax]

2. Palin and Bachmann know how to talk to the freeks...

They have a real following on the far right. If either of them should win the nomination, something I doubt, then they will run and lose.

I also don't think Romney can win. He is viewed as a closet liberal by the people who like Palin and Bachmann. Even if they do not win the nomination, they will force the Republicans to run way to the right.

[aquart]

3. And that would achieve what, precisely?

[4lbs]

4. They'll never nominate Crist for anything.

McCain is more Conservative than Crist, and look how the freepers and most right-wingers were disgusted with him.

[iamtechus]

5. That may be the plan but ...

All that's going on at the presidential level is just a distraction. The presidential election is a couple of years away yet. Dems should not be drawn into a cat fight with Saracuda, Gingrich or any of the national-level repub shit-stirrers but should remain focused on the fall congressional elections. Simply left alone, the All-Caucasian, Pro-Torture, Pro-War party is destroying itself. The more they focus on "purity" the smaller they get.

[cstanleytech]

6. Yup, you are right. The teaparty and its cheerleaders like Palin will in the long run

help the dems by driving away moderate voters with their focus on keeping their party "pure".

[DFW]

7. Palin and Bachmann are welcome distractions

They have no candidate anywhere near "inspiring," and in order to not disappear from the news (Fox need not apply)
entirely, Palin and Bachmann serve as very visible light entertainment. Then, if and when they come up with their
candidate, he or she will seem rational by comparison (so would a pit bull with rabies), and they will be able to
say, "see? all conservatives are NOT batshit crazy." It may seem funny to us, but to a Republican, that'll be the
most reassuring thing they've heard since the 2004 election.

[azurnoir]

8. I think Bachmann already tried that one on

James Carville in 2008 it was actually quite funny, she spent most of the interview with that "deer caught in the headlights" look

[Electric Monk]

9. now?

maybe not quite yet

[caty]

10. How about

Bobby Jindal?