Hillarysworld

Sanders · Diamond

"Sarah Palin's Tea Party gig raises eyebrows" (Politico/AZCentral 1/8/10)

Sanders · Diamond

Blog
4President.us

"

Sarah Palin And Michele Bachmann Confirmed To Speak At The First National Tea Party Convention

First National Tea Party Convention - February 4-6, 2010 Opryland Hotel Nashville, TN.

Tea Party Nation is pleased to announce the First National Tea Party Convention. The convention is aimed at bringing the Tea Party Movement together from around the nation for the purpose of networking and supporting the movements' multiple organizations principle goals. This event will be co-sponsored by other national groups that believe in a responsible and limited federal government that is responsive to all the people. National Taxpayers Union, American Majority, Smart Girl Politics, and SurgeUSA are just a few of the organizations contributing their talents and time to this convention.

Special Keynote Speaker for the event will be Sarah Palin, Governor of Alaska (2006-2009) and 2008 Republican Vice Presidential Nominee.

Rep. Michele Bachmann has just confirmed that she will be one of the Breakfast speakers at the convention. Other topics and workshops to be covered: Conservative Activism; Using Social Media to advance our cause, How to Coordinate efforts with other groups in your state, How to get Youth involved in Conservative Activism. There will be two discussion panels taking place on Saturday. The first will be entitled, "How to Defeat Liberalism" and the second will be a panel of Tea Party Organizers discussing "Where the Tea Party Movement Goes From Here." More workshops, speakers and seminars will be announced as they are finalized.

We encourage tea party groups to pool their funds in order to send a representative of their group to this unique opportunity for exchanging knowledge and information in order to fully exercise the unity and power of the Tea Party Movement.

"

Source link

=======================

So it is both Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann. That sure sounds like a great event.

freespirit · Moderator

I know others may not agree with the comment I'm about to make, but I appreciate so much that I can feel free to say what I believe without condemnation, here. That's one of the many things I appreciate about HW - we can agree to disagree.

I just am having real doubts about Palin. Sometimes she does demonstrate a lack of depth of understanding about the issues and about the dynamics of government and politics. I like that she's willing to be independent and "go rogue". But there's little merit to being an independent political player if you are not a serious player, and by serious, I mean possessing a thorough and complete knowledge of this country's history, needs, ideologies, governmental processes, interactions with foreign governments, and on and on. It's great to be likable, to have folksy wisdom, to be plain spoken, to reject the good ole boy system. In fact, it's more than great. But, that all must be backed up by a deep, fundamental understanding of this country and this government.

I noticed that Palin is hosting or speaking at some anti-abortion meeting. I seriously will never support her for any office if she tries to make an issue of reproductive rights. Hell, everyone is anti-abortion. I mean who thinks it's a good thing to have to abort a baby. The woman placed in the position of having to choose to do so damn sure doesn't think it's a good thing. But, being anti-abortion is not the point. Having the right to choose is the point. Not having the government assume jurisdiction over one's uterus is the point.

I didn't mean to tirade, and regardless of whether I agree with Palin, I will always condemn the sexist treatment she has received and continues to receive.

Thanks for letting me have my say. Hope I stepped on no toes.

Sanders · Diamond

freespirit,
Well, lol, no you did not step on my toes, for sure. I have major doubts about Palin too, not just on policy front where she takes such strong position on "life" matter, rather on her leadership skills.

Ability to build consensus and involve more people takes finesse. Being extremely polarized will not help her case.

Nor will it help if she cannot answer a direct and straight forward question from a relatively friendly reporter such as Bill Oreilly... when he asked "Are you ready to be President" her long-winded answer, was that she has "common sense" but it did not say "Yes, I am ready, and here is why" - a more direct answer would have been much stronger. Also her body language of self-comforting (one hand rubbing the other) betrayed her lack of confidence. Oreilly never got his body language expert to analyze that segment, nor that interview - not that I saw. But for sure, it was obvious.

Staying on message, projecting confidence, sharing more stories of one's PROFESSIONAL experience and accomplishments, and involving more people in your cause -- those will get her farther, but she is not doing these all too well.

She is still very much in my book as a female leader with potential. But the rise she got with the release of the book has slowed down significantly. So, upcoming event and the country's reaction to her will be something to watch.

I liked her book; the ease with which I could read that book is in stark contrast to the choppy way she speaks. But if you read the transcript of what she speaks, it is very readable. So, her delivery is a bit problematic to her as it does not promote good absorption/retention, and she has not improved this overtime.

So, yes, I am disappointed in her lately.

Sanders · Diamond

Of course, CSM gives a solidly positive perspective here, as you can expect from an admittedly pro-life conservative voice.

"Sarah Palin will headline first-ever Tea Party Convention" (Christian Science Monitor 1/6/10)

Sarah Palin will headline first-ever Tea Party Convention

Sarah Palin’s appearance is a coup for a movement now getting grudging respect from mainstream commentators. But will the feisty Tea Party movement coalesce with the GOP’s old guard?

Sarah Palin signs copies of her book 'Going Rogue' outside a hotel in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, last month. In February, she'll be the major speaker at the first Tea Party Convention.

Shawn Gust/The Coeur d'Alene Press/AP

By Patrik Jonsson Staff writer / January 6, 2010

Atlanta

Almost 1-1/2 years since she shook up American politics with her acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention, former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is set to headline another landmark political event: the first-ever Tea Party Convention next month in Nashville, Tenn.

On its face, the gig would seem a step down for Ms. Palin, one of conservative America’s most popular and polarizing figures (not to mention major thorn in the side of the Obama White House).

But with an NBC/Wall Street Journal poll ranking a generic “Tea Party” as more popular than either Democrats or Republicans, and Palin herself rivaling the charming Mr. Obama in poll popularity, many experts see the Tea Party event as a potential milestone for a mounting, even transformational, force in US politics.

“[W]ith two wars, a continuing terror threat, huge federal deficits, and a major healthcare overhaul in the works, there is no shortage of disaffection out there … and that could prove to be political dynamite,” writes the Washington Post’s Howard Kurtz. Against that backdrop, writes Mr. Kurtz, “The tea types can either blossom into a Perotista-style third-party movement or be subsumed to some degree by the GOP.”

Can the Tea Party movement unify itself?

Indeed, the Nashville event is not about chartering a new political party to represent conservative ideals like low taxes and states’ rights, but more about unifying to take on “Obama, Pelosi and Reid this year,” writes Judson Phillips, head of Tea Party Nation, one of many Tea Party groups and the lead sponsor of a convention that will feature conservative firebrands such as Rep. Michele Bachmann (R) of Minnesota.

Already, tea-colored races are appearing around the country, including the looming matchup between Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (seen as Republican Lite by many conservatives) and Cuban-American conservative Marco Rubio, who has gotten the stamp of approval by Tea Party folks.

But courting what many call a fringe and inchoate movement carries huge risks, argues Alan Abramowitz, a political scientist at Emory University, in Atlanta.

He says a Republican shift toward the Reaganesque Tea Party ideal could lead to a sort of pogrom for moderate Republicans, forcing out those (think Maine Sen. Olympia Snowe) who don’t hew precisely to rock-hard conservative principles around economic freedom and limited government interference.

“The Republican Party is trapped by their base, which is going increasingly conservative,” says Mr. Abramowitz. “Yes, Republicans can do fairly well in the 2010 elections – it’s entirely possible that they could pick up 20 to 30 seats in the House – but they could read the wrong message from that. In 2012, if the economy is doing reasonably well again and Obama’s popularity has stabilized, that strategy is going to be very risky and this could all come back to haunt them.”

Democrats will target Palin and Tea Partiers

Solidly behind that assessment, Democrats are aiming to vilify the rising Tea Party movement as woefully old-school and out of touch. “Labeling their GOP candidates as being part of the Sarah Palin or Tea Party wing of the GOP will be the key element” of Democratic attacks in 2010, writes John Fund in The Wall Street Journal.

[SNIP]

Now enter Palin. The former Alaska governor has already expressed her simpatico feelings for the Tea Party movement, and her high-profile presence and Facebook-touted preferences for the individual over the collective will help guarantee that eyes and ears will focus on Nashville next month.

Agreeing to appear at a major Tea Party event also gives Palin a larger platform to criticize the president and Congress, and it guarantees news coverage, potentially building momentum for a future campaign.

“This is perfect for her, made for her,” says Abramowitz.

Full article

freespirit · Moderator

On the tea-party movement - At the risk of wearing out this point - The Repubs are making a HUGE mistake by not branding this as a diverse movement. Some have tried to do so, but when the people who speak the loudest and longest about the wonderful Tea Party movement are as ultra-right wing as it gets - like Hannity, no one is going to get that this is a movement of all Americans from all political ideologies. I know I sound like a broken record on this, but it just blows my dress up that the radical right is the voice of the Tea Party effort.

One more thing on Palin - In my opinion, she would have been very wise to adopt a somewhat low profile following the election. Get down to the business of AK. And, all the while, seriously study, learn, improve articulation of her thoughts, organize her thoughts, beliefs, and form a solid background on which to build and grow. Had she done so, she would have remained in the public eye just enough to keep the interest alive, but she would have given herself time to develop in to a more serious, more articulate, more formidable political force. Taking some time out, imo, would have done wonders for her image. I'm sorry she chose to adopt a more public profile.

ssmith · Platinum

""CPAC is an established mainstay of conservatism "

Hey Brad, the key word is "established", you Bush hack!

freespirit, I appreciate your words. I am the other way. If its Hillary against Sarah, I will be supporting Sarah and defend both agn sexism. I am pro-choice, but I am very conservative when it comes to fiscal, national security, and indiv rights issues.

I deregistered from the Undemocratic party after seeing what they did to Hillary. And I am NEVER going back.

I do agree with you, this Tea Party thing includes people of all idealoguegy, and it will grow exponentially as long as they don't become a social conservative front.

Right now, there main focus is conservatism, but they do NOT focus on social issues, that is not their main thrust. If it becomes their main thrust they will lose many independents.

I voted for Bob Mcdonneld in VA, even though he is way more of a social conseravtive than me, but he is also very conservative when it comes to fiscal policy and that was and is most important to me.

As for Sarah staying in AK, I have read up on what the DNC did up there, Axelhole's goons went up there and filed over 15 lawsuits against the woman, and apparently AK rules say the governor is held liable for this, and the state had to foot the bill for over 2 million, for stupid chit like a lawsuit b/c she wore a name-brand jacket in public.

I am glad she is taking a more public role. I just hope the Tea Party does not morph into a social conservative movement, but stays and grows as it is now, conservative/american values when it comes to main issues like fiscal/national security/indiv rights issues. People really want to be left alone and succeed or fail on their own, they want fairness in the system, not handouts, they want a country that adheres to the US constitution.... doesn't matter if you are dem, repub or indie, US constitution and those rules trump all!

--anyways my 2 cents.

-- Edited by ssmith on Sunday 10th of January 2010 02:21:34 PM

-- Edited by ssmith on Sunday 10th of January 2010 02:22:21 PM

Sanders · Diamond

Again, I am still open to Sarah Palin. It would be a colossal mistake for the country to elect another inexperienced person to the Oval office. So far, we are yet to get good insight into her experience and I am looking to gain better insight than I did in her book. I am certainly open to that.

As freespirit indicates, developing her profile and image is that much harder when not in an elected office.

As you indicate ssmith, she was squeezed out of the office - they made life difficult for her while there from all ends. Good hardworking honest people often find themselves in that place.

I do believe though that in addition to being that hardworking person who speaks her mind she has a good nose for politics. Being in the boondocks Alaska is not an easy place (timezone-wise) to influence "downstate" politics. So, being in the "lower 48" even if it is on book tour is an advantage. But she needs to speak up in more measured ways and with better articulation to gain more credibility.

I hope she does improve and rapidly.. but I have increasing doubts. Anyways, I keep looking for more positive information on Sarah Palin - so please do post. Again, I like the person. She is genuine. A good heart.. And that I like very much. It is refreshing in a politician. But is that enough. Can we send someone without significant experience in global affairs/executive role into the Oval office? That I am concerned about.

-- Edited by Sanders on Sunday 10th of January 2010 04:43:29 PM

ssmith · Platinum

Sanders:

within a 1 yr or 2 at the most [though unlikely], the US dollar will crash, at that point, there will have to be a huge spending contraction.

This is NO way to avooid this, this county will only survive if there is a Andrew Jackson like figure, who is beholden to no one, only the American public.

the central bank will either have to pushed back and the strangle hold that wall st has on the US economy will have to be broken. This means a person who does this will have to fight against the repubs and dems party as well as the MSM

BUT the American public will know what this said person is doing.

THe system has to be cleanesed out.... and I firmly believe this is Sarah Palin, this is why the DNC hates her, the RNC hates, the MSM hates her.... she cannot be controlled or influenced.

But she is the type of person needed, an Andrew Jackson like figure, you should check out zerohedge.com, they had a superb piece on this.

THe crash is comning, the timing is not known, but the certainty is 100% and the person in chrage will have to make sure that the banks remove their stranglehold so that the real economy can grow.

This is why I will support sarah.

Sanders · Diamond

ssmith,
Yes, the US$ is on fast downslope and I too expect a real crash; given the higher-than-expected unemployment numbers -- in contrast to the hype about job growth and improving economy -- from December, that crash is now expected sooner than later. The US$ currency is on the shake-down list in international circles and yes, both monetary and fiscal policies of this administration have not worked well. Bernanke may have put his finger in the dike for a year but that does not help much when the FRB's balance sheet does not look strong and the year has ended on a very weak note.

That provides a strong backdrop for a fiscal reformer and strong financial credentials person to come into the office.

There are two people with that strength on their resume - one with common sense (as Sarah Palin suggests her best suite..) and another with big degrees and financial industry experience (as you would see from Mitt Romney's resume but the MA government is in the dumps arguably because of the health care reform in that state - I dont know what this GOP guy was thinking!). Between the two of them, I lean towards Sarah Palin.

If she can constantly articulate (with ease) what she has done in Alaska to bring the state back to fiscal soundness, and the before-after results, it will help her case. MANY people simply do not know that. Even her book does not give enough insight into this. Selling oil and making money for the state that is then turned around and given as tax payback to people -- in accordance with the Alaska purchase covenants with US Federal government -- is not the best story to be sharing as a success story. Many belt-tightening measures she undertook while in office, including the obstacles she faced and how she overcame them in the face of adversity are what she needs to share. Articulation and storytelling with ease will become key.

Of course, if Hillary was on the ticket on the other side, I would not have to blink an eyelash! I think she is just that good.. and the current WH's policy positions and campaign stated promises are holding her back in her current job. She remains untainted by the House and Senate votes, which is a great thing. And, she is increasingly emphasizing the role of women globally as part of the viewpoint that she takes in fashioning State Dept approaches, and that is a fantastic thing. Her experience in managing that Dept will be exceptionally beneficial.

Bottomline, I have not decided about Sarah Palin quite yet, and continue to seek strong data points on her accomplishments... reasons to support her... that go beyond what I have read in her book.

-- Edited by Sanders on Sunday 10th of January 2010 06:26:45 PM

freespirit · Moderator

Ssmith, I appreciate your point of view, as well. And, I totally agree that Sarah was forced into an impossible position because of all the law suits. It was fully understandable that she would feel it necessary to resign as governor. I didn't necessarily mean she should have stayed in office - rather that she might have been better off had she waited on the book - although she may have needed the money at that point, which would have been understandable. But, selling the book required public appearances, talk shows, interviews, etc. It was almost as if she didn't have time to collect herself and to regroup. I agree with Sanders - Sarah has potential, and I do think she wants to be her own person, not a political hack. I respect her for that. I think that after Obama it is going to be difficult for another untested , inexperienced person to get elected - at least I hope so. Sarah has the time and certainly the intelligence to prepare herself for public service at the national level.

She was treated deplorably by the media, the Dems, and frankly, by many of the Repubs in 2008. I would love to see her come back and kick a little a$$ after the treatment she received. I don't know whether I would support her or not at this point. It would totally depend upon her stand on the issues. I would certainly be interested in hearing what her views are in a couple of years.

Hillarysworld

Sarah Palin's Tea Party gig raises eyebrows

Sarah Palin Will Keynote First National Tea Party Convention In Nashville

Sarah Palin And Michele Bachmann Confirmed To Speak At The First National Tea Party Convention

Sarah Palin will headline first-ever Tea Party Convention

Can the Tea Party movement unify itself?

Democrats will target Palin and Tea Partiers