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Christine Todd Whitman: Sarah Palin Lacks Depth, Can’t Win Nationwide

Doug Mataconis
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Don’t count former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman as a fan of Sarah Palin:

“Every congressman and senator right now thinks they can be president,” Whitman said on CNN’s “Fareed Zakaria GPS”.

Whitman said Palin could energize the base of the Republican Party, “but the base isn’t big enough.”

“I don’t think she’ll win nationwide,” she said. “You’ve got to start competing for the center. And so far I haven’t seen a lot of outreach on the part of Sarah Palin for that.”

When asked if she would support Palin as the nominee, Whitman said Palin hadn’t yet made her case.

“If she were the Republican candidate she’d have to show me a lot more than I’ve seen thus far as far as an understanding of the depth and the complexity of the issues that we face,” Whitman said. “I mean, I don’t know her personally. So I can’t comment on that.

“I mean, she was a governor,” said Whitman, who served two terms leading New Jersey and then went on to head the Environmental Protection Agency. “But the fact that she left office before even completing her first term is — that’s just not a attitude that I think is necessarily in the best interest of your constituents — rather what’s in your best interests.”

Whitman has never been well-liked by the social conservative wing of the GOP and this is sure to reinforce their attitude about her but she does join a growing list of mainstream Republicans who are beginning to publicly express doubts about the appropriateness of Sarah Palin being the GOP nominee in 2012.

Here’s the full video of her appearance on CNN, which concentrates mostly on her warning to incoming Republicans in Congress that they are mis-interpreting the results of the elections:

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18 responses to “Christine Todd Whitman: Sarah Palin Lacks Depth, Can’t Win Nationwide”

  1. DC Loser Avatar
    DC Loser

    That’s because Whitman’s another one of them Northeast Elitist Blueblood RINOs.

  2. Eric Florack Avatar
    Eric Florack

    So she is, in reality. She is still under the illusion that ‘the center’ is some kind of elctoral panacea. In reality, fighting for the center is exactly why McCain lost his presidential bid. Whitman, and the rest of the Establishment GOP cannot bring themselves to admit that.

    And isn’t it revealing how the establishment GOP and the far left are singing the same song about the Tea Party? They both view them as a threat.

  3. An Interested Party Avatar
    An Interested Party

    “And isn’t it revealing how the establishment GOP and the far left are singing the same song about the Tea Party? They both view them as a threat.”

    Really? Funny how the establishment GOP treats a movement it considers a “threat”, considering the recently negotiated tax deal that blows a hole in the budget…looks like they aren’t terribly frightened of the Tea Party types…

  4. Tano Avatar
    Tano

    “And isn’t it revealing how the establishment GOP and the far left are singing the same song about the Tea Party?”

    Its not just the mainstream GOP and the far left, it is the medium left, the near left, and the center as well. Its everyone but the far right.

  5. Eric Florack Avatar
    Eric Florack

    AIP, may I suggest you look more closely at the ‘tax deal’ which in reality involves no tax cuts past a minuscule cut in oayroll taxes for 2 years, and also contains monumental slices of pork fat?

    Oh, and Tano… no, not nearly ‘everyone’…had you neglected the voters? Where did that huge shift come from, do you suppose?

  6. An Interested Party Avatar
    An Interested Party

    “…the ‘tax deal’ which in reality involves no tax cuts…”

    Other than keeping the Bush tax cuts in place, that is…no matter how one wants to characterize the deal, it certainly appears to be something that is anathema to Tea Party types, what with all those “monumental slices of pork fat”, which is my exact point…yeah, the establishment GOP is just running in fear of that movement…

    “Where did that huge shift come from, do you suppose?”

    Lots of motivated Republicans and lots of unmotivated Democrats…fairly typical of an off-year election really…

  7. Eric Florack Avatar
    Eric Florack

    Typical? That kind of an off year swing hasn’t happened since the 30’s, AIP.

    That the message from the voters hasn’t ben received by the establishment GOP is certainly true, but that does not mean the tea party isn’t still considered a threat.

  8. anjin-san Avatar
    anjin-san

    > That the message from the voters hasn’t ben received by the establishment GOP

    What message is that? If not for Palin/tea party, the GOP would control the Senate as we speak. So I think the message is something other in reality than it is in your fantasies.

    Of course you are the guy who was reposting the McCain campaign’s last minute desperation press releases (which contained utter nonsense) as if they had been handed down from a burning bush, all the while crowing about the special “insider” information you had access to.

    In other words, you have a track record of being a rather gullible tool.

  9. Tano Avatar
    Tano

    “Where did that huge shift come from, do you suppose?”

    Where do you think it came from? You claim that the center-right is anti-TP, and so is the far left. Surely you do not imagine that the TP is supported by the plain ol’ left, or the center left. Are you claiming they are a movement of the far right and the center?

    Polls show TP support usually in the 25-30% range, overwhelmingly from Republicans. That pretty much is the size of identification with the GOP itself, and about 2/3 of what the GOP can usually expect as a minimum in a national election. Support from Dems is in the single digits – thats all Dems, not just the “far left”. Among independents, it hovers around 20%.

    “the ‘tax deal’ which in reality involves no tax cuts past a minuscule cut in oayroll taxes…”

    What are you nuts? It extends for two years ALL of the Bush tax cuts. Thats enormous.

  10. TG Chicago Avatar
    TG Chicago

    Eric Florack said: “In reality, fighting for the center is exactly why McCain lost his presidential bid.”

    Can you explain this? Obama won in an electoral landslide. I mean, regardless of whether you like McCain, Obama is clearly more personably appealing, and with Bush’s approval in the gutter, people wanted a change. I don’t see how going even further right would have helped McCain.

  11. nathan hale Avatar
    nathan hale

    My recollection is she didn’t complete her second term of Governor, and she resigned her EPA
    posting, ahead of time

  12. Trumwill Avatar
    Trumwill

    Six years as governor of New Jersey beats 2.5 as governor of Alaska. And, of course, she left to take another public position. Beyond which, nobody here is endorsing Whitman for president.

  13. daveinboca Avatar
    daveinboca

    I wonder if rich over-the-hill Christine has a Mex-maid in her background like her cousin Meg in California? Chrissie the left-center biyotch quit her job at EPA after two years with parting shots at the POTUS who appointed her. Gratitude issues?

    Sarah quit because the Dems did the same thing to her as they did to Meg, hit her with specious lawsuits and spurious charges and run up legal fees and other expenses she couldn’t afford.
    Now she’s dancing to the bank while RINO Christine is probably crocheting doilies in her spare time, or maybe counseling Chris Christie on how to lose weight. Could she be a Christie torpedo delivered to sink a rival? Doubt it, as no one pays attention to her except the Gray Lady Down.

    Finally, Whitman is panting to get back in the spotlight after a decade of exile for being generally regarded as a non-important and blah-blah biyotch with NO FOLLOWING WHATSOEVER in the GOP. CNN loves her though and I’ll bet Keith Overbite is trying to get her on Monday’s show for his token Republican of the week on the socialists-Alinsky guidance program nobody watches on MessNBC.

  14. anjin-san Avatar
    anjin-san

    > In reality, fighting for the center is exactly why McCain lost his presidential bid.

    In reality, back in 2008 you were telling us about the civil war the Democrats were going to have in Denver, and how Obama was unelectable. In reality, you simply regurgitate things you read on right wing blogs…

  15. anjin-san Avatar
    anjin-san

    > Sarah quit because the Dems did the same thing to her

    In other words, she could not take the heat and got out of the kitchen. Not a good quality for a President.

    > Now she’s dancing to the bank

    Now we are discussing what Palin is really all about.

  16. sam Avatar
    sam

    BitEric, drawing on his keen sense of the political, says:

    “And isn’t it revealing how the establishment GOP and the far left are singing the same song about the Tea Party? They both view them as a threat.”

    AIP comments:

    “Really? Funny how the establishment GOP treats a movement it considers a “threat”, considering the recently negotiated tax deal that blows a hole in the budget…looks like they aren’t terribly frightened of the Tea Party types…”

    BitEric, with the sharpness of mind we’ve all come to appreciate, repoistes:

    “AIP, may I suggest you look more closely at the ‘tax deal’ which in reality involves no tax cuts past a minuscule cut in payroll taxes for 2 years, and also contains monumental slices of pork fat?”

    This he counts as evidence the GOP is really and truly scared of the Tea Party, not realizing he just reinforced AIP’s point. Idiot.

  17. john personna Avatar
    john personna

    I’m catching a few minutes of Sarah Palin’s Alaska here and there. It makes me like Sarah and Alaska more. But, to channel Barbara Bush, it’s too bad she isn’t happy up there.

    As excellent as Alaska and the Palin lifestyle are, they aren’t really lower-48. We have more complex problems, with solutions that aren’t nearly as fun as applying a 12ga.

  18. megally megally Avatar
    megally megally

    Egypt, Mother of the World: Egypt built the pyramids which Jesus Christ was able to hide in. One of the Egyptian heroes, he led the Egyptian air force 73, I witnessed in early 1993 when he was coming from Luxor to Cairo – he almost jumped out of the train to shake hands with someone. That hero is Hosni Mubarak. We have said Mubarak Egypt.
    12-10-10
    TO: The Egyptian people.
    Dear Sir/Madame: I’m speaking to you from the United States of America, not as an American official, I was born in Egypt. Matter of fact, I was born in upper Egypt, the city of Minie. I feel your pain and what you’re going through, I feel whats been happening lately in our beautiful Egypt – it’s too much to handle, but God willing, He will do something for you if you really want it. So much happened, let us speak about the last elections. I have advised the United States officials, including the White House and Mr. Obama, not to be involved in the election or any future elections in Egypt. The plan is to see how much the Egyptian government is honest, but they show dishonesty. Not Obama, he is not involved and that’s the reason our Obama is not involved because he (we) sees the dishonesty in the Egyptian government. Some of the officials have accused Mr. Obama for being involved with Mobaracks ruling party (regime), but he is not involved because of political reasons. My plan was for Obama not to get involved so we can see how honest the Egyptian government is, and the government was not honest. How many stories do we want to talk about: the people that were killed in Alexandria, or the people selling their families to get Visa’s in Europe, or the people who are living without doing their duties for the country because they are afraid. I have read articles about Egyptian journalists and European and American generals, the Egyptian generals cannot speak the truth because they want to go home to their families. What else do we want to talk about, is it too much, too painful to think about. My heart and my prayers and the United States heart and prayers are with you. My recommendation, for the love and respect of a man I really do highly respect and love, Mr. Mobarack. Not only do I love and respect him because of what he did to our patriarchs, I do have my opinion with Mr. Sadat, what he had done to the church then. Mr. Sadat, if he had not done that at that time, we don’t know what would have happened to our patriarchs. I cannot go into any more detail on this issue, I’m writing a book and will address it in the book. Let’s get back to the meaning of this letter.
    I am asking Mr. Mobarack to resign from office, not only because the country has been mishandled, but in respect of his age. And also, I am not going to help anymore for any family of Mr. Mobarack. I have stood for you for a long time and believe me, I have to confess what I have done wrong to the Egyptian people, in standing with you Mr. Mobarack. You know it in your heart, not only do I respect you, but also I love you. And for the safety of this beautiful country in Egypt, and the future of your grandsons and granddaughters, lets have a change and you will be proud of what you did, if you resign with dignity. May God Bless you and the great country of Egypt and the United States of America.
    Sincerely,
    Your Servant,
    Megally Megally
    With your blessing and your prayers answered, we don’t want to lose anymore American, Israeli, Muslim or ANY life. Thank God the Catholic Church, like always, have great leaders. Beginning with talking to Iran, one thing I will let you know the Iranian President is not a bad man. We can talk to him and make a deal with him, if we have the love of Jesus in our heart.
    12-10-10
    TO: The Honorable Pope Bernadette
    I know that there is an open dialogue between the Vatican and the Iranian government led by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. And like I mentioned, he is a good man if we have the love of Jesus Christ. I have advised the United States White House several times to stand with you in this very important mission during this very important time. Dear Holiness, right now we have no time to play games with those that want to play games. It’s a time to show what we believe and to be instructed by the Holy Bible. Peace and Love and also Respect. Thank God the head of the United States Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates, agreed not to get involved if it’s not something that’s hurting our country. Your Holiness, I have sent letters to the President of Israel to help to release one of the Israeli hostages in Palestine and they never responded to me. If they really want peace, I can make it happen for them. I just want to share something with you, I was in Mexico a couple months ago (07/06/2010) and there was a plan to kidnap me from the Israeli side. I just wanted to let you know what is going on with your little son, I’m working hard to secure peace and thank God again that we have you as the head of the Catholic Church. My Holy Father, I was born in Egypt, city of Minie and thank God we have a new ordained Cardinal. For the next meeting with this Cardinal, I want you to mention to him that all of my family are Catholic. We’re not talking Catholic Orthodox, we are talking a proven fact that we are Christians. They are not only practicing the Catholic Faith, they believe in palm reading. May God Bless you, the World and the United States.
    Sincerely,
    Your Servant,
    Megally Megally
    FAX COVER SHE
    With the love of Jesus Christ, that’s what we’ve learned from our beloved Lord, with the teaching of Saint Mark. Thank God for your leadership, all of you.12-10-10
    TO: The Orthodox Church of Egypt; the Patriarchs and the Bishops.
    I don’t want to say I’m a good Orthodox, but I try to be a good child of God. Regarding our Diocese of Los Angeles I have some concerns. I have some concerns I would like to share with you. On Good Friday in 2008 I was fasting from Monday until I arrived at church on Friday. Really I could not stand and one of the deacons came and forced me to stand, stating I must stand or I’m breaking the rules. Whatever I know about our church, there are no such rules in our church, even the Bishop was in the church. Similar situations have happened too many times, since early 1990. In late 1995, I was fasting for about 40 days and I was in Philadelphia in Saint George in North Town, Philadelphia and for no reason, I received very unhealthy treatment. Immediately I know he worked for Bill Clinton. I immediately wrote you a letter, I didn’t have much money at the time, I had five dollars and twenty cents. I gave it to the fax man and faxed you the letter warning you about the Clinton administration. Too many incidents, which I will update in my book. I have my opinion with Sadat, but only God knows what I stand for, but the real issue is, some of the Church people and the cousin of the Pope, they are working for Shell Oil Company – which causes me great concern. I urge you to visit my website at: http://www.blessingforamerica.com and read the newsletter, especially the one I sent to my ex-father of confession, Father Jim Solomon, and read that letter very, very carefully. I just wanted to let you know, I am away from the Diocese, but I am not away from my Church or my Faith. You know what, believe me what somebody would like me to do, they would like me to leave the Church and my Faith. And thank God for your prayers I am standing strong. We don’t want to do something wrong and expect good to happen to us. With your prayers, the Church will be blessed more and the beautiful United States and the blessed country of Jesus Christ, Egypt – your little son, your servant, your sinner, Megally Megally, independent Candidate for U.S. President in 2008 and one of Mr. Obama’s choices for Vice President, and Ambassador for Peace. Be free. Let me know if you need any help and the help you need would have to be in writing and explain exactly what’s going on with the issue you’re having. And maybe you’re little son can help. May God Bless you, the World and the United States.
    Sincerely,
    Your Servant,
    Megally Megally

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