Why would anyone think Palin couldn’t get elected president?

[Cyrano]

Whatever you think of Palin, don’t underestimate her, don’t underestimate the ignorance of Americans who would vote for her, and don’t underestimate the reality that elections can be stolen.

I have an acquaintance, and even a family member, who would vote for Palin as president in a heartbeat. Can anyone be that ignorant/uninformed? You betcha.

As much as I’ve tried to explain to them that this will never happen, I can’t help but remember that an amiable imbecile –- Ronald Reagan -- ended up as president -- twice.

And I’ve also tried to explain to them how Bush’s two terms were illegitimate (once appointed to the Oval Office by the Supreme Court, and the second time, stolen in Ohio). They’re not buying it and consider me to be a blind fool who doesn’t see “TRUTH.”

Anyone who believes that a “President Palin” is impossible, wake up. It really could happen.

On the other hand, the only comfort I can find in this scenario is that the thugs that run the Republican Party don’t want to see her in the White House any more than we do. And being that they don’t play by any rules, any hope that we have that Palin will never sit in the Oval Office rests with our enemies. What a goddamn pathetic damn state of affairs.

[JuniperLea]

1. This is utter bullshit, imho...

Seriously. Please don't further GOTP memes here... jesus god... wtf?

[Winterblues]

2. I think the one main thing against her is she quit her last Elected Gig..

People find it very difficult to forgive that..They may love sarah and all she says and does but because she quit before she just might quit again..That is just too much of a gamble for most...

[TBF]

3. You're in Florida and I'm in Texas - we're surrounded by them.

But I also hear it from my family in the midwest and friends in places like Colorado. She definitely has a fan base, scary as it is. I got jumped on in another thread for saying she could beat Obama, but I really do think she might be able to do it. Those inside the beltway live a very insular life and for some reason the midterm elections apparently did not shake them up (except for releasing their new "compromise" and "he's everyone's president" memes...).

[cyr330]

4. Do NOT forget Reagan

or GWB if you think somebody "can't" get elected. One never would have thought those two losers would have gotten in, so let's never "misunderstimate" the stupidity of the repig party. They'll nominate any asshole, up to, and including, Sarah Palin.

Oops-- On edit, I see what you mean, and I agree!

[RZM]

18. Palin is pretty far from Reagan

By 1980 he had a long record in public life and could also count on the electoral votes of the most populous state in the nation. He was also much better at public relations and projecting a 'nice' image. Palin's only been out there for a couple years and isn't particularly well-liked, except among her relatively small core of supporters. One of Ronnie's strengths was that he had a knack for appealing to people outside of the Republican base, which Palin can't seem to do at all.

[cyr330]

19. Good Point

I suppose all I meant was that Reagan was an idiot as well, although he looks GREAT compared to Sister Sarah. :)

[Arkansas Granny]

5. I don't think she could be elected, but if she was the nominee, there's a good

percentage of freeper types who would vote for her. She could make it a very interesting race. I believe, however, that the majority of voters think her to be unqualified, not to mention the skeletons in her closet.

[uppityperson]

6. Same as I thought about shrub. People are fearful and vote their emotions

those who can manipulate those emotions can win.

Truth is she could win and we need to make sure that doesn't happen.

[Cleita]

7. I'm seeing some "Palin 2012" bumper stickers in my

neck of the woods already. I want a counter bumper sticker but can't think one up, other than "Palin For Suckers in 2012" but it needs work.

[CrispyQ]

11. There's one out there that reads something like:

Palin for President 2012
Didn't the Mayan's warn us?

:rofl:

[Cleita]

14. Buwahahaha! I like that! n/t

[Kennah]

16. Palin 2012: The Maya Were Right

[EmeraldCityGrl]

35. Those idiots would have to google Maya. n/t

[Kennah]

13. Well ...

... my mind went to "Palin's For Dumb Motherfuckers" but it might not get a lot of play.

[Cleita]

17. They like being called dumb. They wear it like a badge.

It has to be something that can insult them.

[robertpaulsen]

49. This is the one I'll put on my car if she runs: PALIN 2012-2014 1/2

[saracat]

8. Never underestimate the stupidity of the American voter" and you will not go wrong. The GOP

understands their audience and knows how to frame their message. We only occasionally do. Witness the comments made slurring shows like American idol and DWTS. While we sneer, Palin has her daughter dancing on the most watched show in America. Free phones are handed out to voters who support the nice married bland Christan boy over Idols mad talented gay contender Adam Lambert and homophobia explodes. Millions of Americans get their reality from Tee Vee.

Sold right, they will buy Palin. And we will still be trying to articulate a message because we refuse to articulate a message people can understand and we will still be baffled as to why the GOP votes and we do not.

[CrispyQ]

9. Bush was a puppet. Palin is a loose cannon.

TPTB won't allow her to be prez. They can't control her.

[Kennah]

10. The amiable imbecile knew how to play smart politics

Palin is a dunderhead. She's great for shrill motivational crap, but she's got the charisma of anthrax and is less articulate than a hormone crazed teenager after getting dumped by their first crush.

Palin v. Obama would be O'Donnell v. Coons redux.

[DirkGently]

31. I'd worry more about Angle v. Reid redux. Bit of a nailbiter, that.

[Kennah]

46. That does it

You've just succeeded in bursting my bubble of delusion. I'm still clinging to optimism by saying it will be more like a Reid v. O'Donnell--she woulda still lost, but maintained a closer race than she did against Coons.

[DirkGently]

50. Just sayin'. Never underestimate the ability of Americans to vote in a whacko.

[cry baby]

12. agreed nt

[RZM]

15. I can see scenario where Palin wins the Republican nomination, but not the presidency

Even getting the Republican nod would be very tough for her, because she'd be utterly savaged by the other candidates. In the current crop of potential Republican nominees, I probably wouldn't put her at the top. But the Tea Party has shown that it can get its people through Republican primaries, so it's entirely possible she could get it. But the general? I just think there's no way. She'd get a lot of votes, but you could put a corpse up against any incumbent and they will get at least 15-20 percent. She'd probably be able to manage over 40 percent, but that's not going to get her there. I'd say the chances of a Palin presidency are very low. You're right that it's not out of the question, but I wouldn't put money on it. My guess is that Democratic strategists are quietly hoping that she will get the nomination because they probably think she is one of the weaker potential opponents in the whole Republican lot.

[EmeraldCityGrl]

39. One thing you could count on is other Republican women

( Murkowski is a good example) would sabotage her candidacy at every opportunity.
She has no respect and has done nothing more than the Tina Fey "wink and nod" to get
where she's at.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

20. I agree with you, despite the snarky comments in this thread. I see how the Corporate Media

is doing everything possible to turn her into a likable and "softer" woman. Even the so-called liberal media--Keith, Ed, Rachel--not a day goes by that there isn't a mention of Failin Palin.

Yes, her negatives are high. Yes, people NOW say that she isn't presidential material. But as you say, never underestimate the stupidity of the American people. We all see what happened two weeks ago with people voting against their best interests. She and McCain only lost by 6 or 7 percentage points. It is not at all possible.

Near down the president in the media, prop up Sarah Failin such that her numbers improve.

The more people pontificate about her presidency, the more she'll milk it for what it's worth and make money. There are some stupid people who admire the fact that she is able to exploit herself and her family for a buck!

[HughBeaumont]

21. Winning the lottery is possible too. Getting in a car accident is more probable than that.

Doesn't mean either one are going to happen, though.

Reagan and Bewsh II were elected because they were BRANDS and cowpokes. Bewsh was a legacy, which Repubs love, and the grizzled in the 80s remembered Reagan as the actor/spokesperson/anti-Communist from the 50s/60s. Trusted names, friendly faces, well-covered by the media, promoted by a years-thought-out blueprint.

Palin really isn't part of the corporate blueprint - I'm guessing that no matter how well they market her, America in general sees her as a comedy act for the tabloid set, and Corporate America knows this.

There are a lot of problems with Palin that don't necessarily lead to a voter comparison with Bewsh/Reagan's elections. There's really no way to paint her as a moderate at this point, as they did with Bewsh. A great deal of Republicans are not insane Teabaggers. These are the ones that likely find the idea of a President Palin as earth-scorching as we all do. She doesn't really do herself any favors with her cornpone economics, zany foreign policy and repeated idiotic comments, nor will she be helped by the likelihood of Clinton-era stonewalling by the newly elected Republican house. If the economy gets better, it will be curtains.

There are other Republicans that are incredibly sexist as well. Palin isn't likely going to win fence sitters or independents, nor will she win politically inclined young people over in great numbers, not even conservative ones.

Her voting base is the TeaBagathon, the uninformed (but I repeat myself) and the grizzled. And I'm sorry to say, it's not going to be enough to influence a presidential election this time out. America's crazy, but it ain't stupid.

This isn't an underestimation; I'm just not as cocksure about it as some here seem to be. Are people really going to be THAT tired of Obama that we're going to regress and put some Dark-Ages batshit insane cultist in the Oval Office and all the damage that likely will come with it?

[speppin]

22. She has a chance.

[JackRiddler]

23. Obviously she would have a chance in a three-way race (with Bloomberg in the mix, for example).

[snooper2]

24. Kick - since the OP lost his OP

:P

[uppityperson]

26. I hate it when that happens. CAN you ignore your own thread?

[pinboy3niner]

28. LOL! "I MEANT to bookmark it, but...."

:rofl:

[BrklynLiberal]

25. Bush got in twice...so virtually ANYTHING is possible...sadly.

In that case, I would not hesitate to become an ex-pat...anywhere but here.

[HughBeaumont]

27. Another thing to add . . .

It was mentioned above that Palin vs Obama would be like Coons/O'Donnell all over again. That's valid, since they would have to debate a few times. I really don't see SarUH coming out of those in anything less than a figurative body cast; she'd be exposed and intellectually bested beyond belief.

[GSLevel9]

29. I don't believe that she can be elected...

because I feel she can never expand her base beyond the "forty percenter's"

The ONLY possible way she could win would be with a Veep candidate like Rubio who might be able to go out there, speak Spanish to Hispanic media and bring in more voters.

[Turbineguy]

30. Palin is the natural successor to GWB

as he was to Saint Ronnie.

Given the information and those who lap it up, she's in with a good chance. Unless the RW BS Machine goes off the air, she can get the job. Given that the RW do not believe facts matter, this country can turn into a Mad Max world and they still not understand how they got there.

[Harry Monroe]

42. "Palin is the natural successor to GWB as GWB was to St. Ronnie"

Man, talk about devolution!! What's the natural successor to Palin? The mind boggles at the stupidity of this person. Perhaps Dwayne Elizondo Mountain Dew Herbert Camacho? (for those who don't know who this is, watch "Idiocracy". Also watch it as a warning as to what is to come). Or maybe a turnip is the natural successor to Palin. But I wouldn't want to insult the turnip.

[Turbineguy]

47. "What's the natural successor to Palin? "

I expect many of us will not be around to contemplate that.

[nonconformist]

51. Joe the Plumber, I suspect. nt

[whathehell]

32. As recently as four months ago 70% of Americans agreed she wasn't fit to be President. n/t

[Turborama]

33. If you're going to contrast and compare, the question is how long were Reagan & Bush Governors for?

Reagan 8 years (2 terms).

Bush slightly under 6 (roughly 1 1/2 terms).

And Palin's was just 2 1/2 years (just over half a term).

If we want to go deeper into the length of time the other two worked in politics before they ran for President compared to her, there is an even larger time gap. The crux of the matter is, they were actually a lot more experienced politicians that she is and they didn't quit their Governorships.

Anyway, I think this is all moot. She won't survive the Primaries, her opponents will eat her alive, and if she insists on running after that her run as an independent will split the vote which would be a gift to us.

[Cleita]

36. Maybe she should be encouraged to run as an

independent. :evilgrin:

[Turborama]

38. I really hope she does. Has she got enough time to form her own "Tea Party"?

Maybe that is something she's being "http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4618187">internally candid" about?

[closeupready]

34. K&R, 100%.

You nailed it.

[johnnie]

37. Because there are more powerful people than Palin

And they would make sure it didn't happen. After 2000 and 2004 it amazes me that people still think that the general public votes in a president.

[sadbear]

40. She's a quitter

And McCain effectively lost 2008 when he put her on the ticket. So that makes her a loser, too.

[jeff47]

41. Because while she has a pack of supporters that worship her...

it's a small pack. She polls terribly, even among Republicans. While W and Reagan weren't exactly brilliant, they polled well.

[newportdadde]

43. It all depends on what the corporations and the rich want. If they want Palin they will sell her.

Personally I would say with the recent seats being pickedup in the House and Senate and a charged up idiot Tea Party she has a much better shot then I would have ever imagined in 2008. Factor in the daughter and all that noise and Palin is becoming a 'household name', the brand at least is strong and that makes it marketable.

For my money though I still think it will be Jeb Bush.

[K8-EEE]

44. I may be a minority but I think the Palins are jumping the shark FAST

Between that built up FAIL show (yes, I know a lot of people tuned in but it was totally FAIL) and Bristol kicking off the decent dancers and now the fb meltdown, I think they will be the most unpopular family in America by the time the elections are here. True I don't live in Freeperville but I don't know anybody who doesn't just want them all to go away. What where they whining about? Privacy? PLEASE! GIVE IT TO THEM!

[ProudDad]

45. Oh, it's VERY possible

I'm reminded of pResident ronny ray-gun -- a major piece of shit -- Hell, we didn't think he could be elected governor...

I'm reminded of g.w.bush -- a major piece of shit and draft dodger (with his draft dodging puppet master cheney)...

Yep, I think it's 50-50 that President Palin will be next...

Especially if the democrats keep trying to be republican-lite...

Check out "Idiocracy" -- that's exactly where we're headed (except the human race isn't going to be around in the year 2505)... Hell, my money is on the fact that the human race won't be around past the 22nd century...and by then the remains won't even know that the year IS 21xx....

[walldude]

48. The only reason I could see that happening is that the Dems

can't run a decent election to save their asses. Which was well proven these last few months.


Palin left Wasilla millions in the hole, she quit the governorship, she sank McCain's campaign, the big Repugs hate her, her husband is a secessionist for fucks sake. If this woman becomes President the Democrats should just fold up their tents because if they can't beat her, there is no hope for them.

[bullwinkle428]

52. Serious question : Do you think America is capable of electing Cheney as President?

Because they have approximately the same approval ratings.

She only gets the media attention she does as a result of being "attractive", in the most superficial sense as possible when compared to Evil Dick...

[donheld]

53. Agreed. Only a fool would discount that possibility

With Citizen's United and foolish Americans it's a possibility.