Sarah Palin For Senate?
Sarah Palin hinted about running for Senate in Alaska. Most likely, she's once again just teasing her supporters.
Continuing her game of teasing the media and her supporters with possibilities that she will most likely never follow through on, Sarah Palin is now hinting that she might step into the 2014 Alaska Senate race against Mark Begich:
Sarah Palin opened the door Tuesday to running for Senate next year in Alaska.
“I’ve considered it because people have requested me considering it, but I’m still waiting to see what the lineup will be and hoping that … there will be some new blood, some new energy,” the former governor told Sean Hannity during an appearance on his radio show.
Two Republicans have already announced challenges to Democratic freshman Sen. Mark Begich: Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell and 2010 GOP nominee Joe Miller.
“We’d meet with any Alaskan interested in challenging Mark Begich,” National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesman Brad Dayspring told POLITICO, “and Governor Palin is right in that Begich abandoned his campaign promises — most notably by being the deciding vote on ObamaCare — and must be repealed and replaced.”
It is very hard to envision Palin, who resigned in July 2009 before completing her first term as governor, ultimately getting in the race. She likes keeping herself in the news, and flirting with a high-profile Senate bid is sure to generate buzz. But she would need to give up a big stream of income for a race she would not be certain to win.
The fact that Palin recently signed a brand new contract with Fox News for an undisclosed sum, and that she spent the last two election cycles inserting herself into various Senate races around the country, suggests strongly that she isn’t really serious about this suggestion. Add into this the fact that in the four years since she quit her job, Palin has shown no inclination to actually take on once again the responsibility of governing as an officeholder. She passed up a run against political rival Lisa Murkowski in 2010, she passed up running for President. Why does anyone think that she’d dive back into the political arena now?
As for what chances Palin might have if she did run, the closest indication we have is a Public Policy Polling poll from February:
In hypothetical head to heads Begich leads Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan 47/41, Lieutenant Governor Mead Treadwell 47/39, former Lieutenant Governor Loren Leman 50/40, former Governor Sarah Palin 54/38, and 2010 nominee Joe Miller 58/30. Palin’s numbers are a reflection of her continuing to be very unpopular on the home front- 34% of voters see her positively to 59% with a negative opinion. She looks popular by comparison to Miller though- he has only a 20% favorability rating with 63% of voters giving him poor marks.
Palin’s negative numbers in Alaska have been consistently high ever since she left her job before her term was even over just over four years ago. Would these numbers move if Palin actually move in the unlikely event that she entered the race? Probably to some extent, but, knowing Palin, it’s probably that they’ll become more negative. The Alaska GOP has a candidate in the race that is potentially capable of beating Begich in 2014 in the person of Lt. Governor Mead Treadwell. Palin getting into the race would be precisely the last thing that they need.
She’s just such a maverick.
When she was younger, I bet she had no idea she’d become the image of everything that is wrong with our politics.
Why would she want to be one of a hundred when she’s already one of a kind.
Now, if she were to run in the Democratic primaries against Hillary, now that would be good politics.
No, she won’t run–for anything. This is just another fan dance to keep up her brand, and keep the money flowing into the Sarahpac coffers. She’s shrewd enough to know how badly she polls in Alaska. And a campaign would require far more work than she’s willing to do. This is someone who’s made a very nice living as a reality show starlet and by putting her name to ghostwritten books, a third of which will be coming out this November. (Actually, I think this sudden flirtation with a senatorial campaign may be pre-publication publicity for the book.) So, no, she’s not running. But she’ll draw out the suspense as long as possible.
Sarah Palin’s political strategy spelled out so simply, even liberals might grasp it.
Plus, she gives Doug something to talk about that isn’t the Zimmerman trial. What’s it been, Doug? 19 days? The defense is expected to rest today or tomorrow, and not one detail of the entire trial has captured your interest?
I was reading that snippet from the article, and I just knew it was from Politico. It’s got the triple threat – pretense of objective reporting, sneer of opinion, and stink of wannabe insider. They’re like the 10-year-old who tries to fit in with his 14-year-old brother and his friends.
She’s too lazy to run. If she actually ran, then she would have to DO things.
Considering the amount of money she’s getting right now doing almost nothing, why would she run? She’s not THAT stupid.
Sarah Palin for senate! Let her run. I’ve not had a good laugh since 2008. This lady has no clue as to how dumb the majority of the American people see her. Still, bless her heart she can pick up Joe the plumber along the way. What a formidable duo they will make! What’s fondly known as dumb and dumber!
@PJ: Both you and Doug imply that her decision would be based somewhat on money. Say what you want about her, I don’t think that’s what drives her.
@Pinky:
Sarah Palin LOVES money. When there are enough stupid people out there who will buy her books, watch her TV shows and pay to have her speak all the crap she does so well, she’s laughing all the way to the bank. Oh yes, Sarah Palin loves money. Pity that some people are just as dumb as her to think she is actually smart!
Sarah for Senate?
Only in my dreams. Dems really need help retaining that seat.
Must be a slow news day if everyone in the media decides to write/talk about Sarah Palin. I guess since the Martin/Zimmerman trial most likely will result in an acquittal, the media has to find something else to move on to.
Maybe there need to chapters of Pointless-Stories Anonamous in NYC, DC, and LA so that wonks and pundits can go through a 12=step program to stop writing stupid stories.
@superdestroyer:
well said
Wake up people! Palins 2 year term in the senate would be a disaster.
@RWB:
Well, she traditionally bails halfway through a job, so that would make it her three year term.
Good for you Jenos. Stand by your man.
@Jenos Idanian:
I think you’re the one obsessed with interjecting the Zimmerman Trial into unrelated threads.
That said …
So, do you think Zimmerman will be acquitted for stalking a kid with a gun and killing him?
Also, why shouldn’t Martin be allowed to defend himself from an armed guy who is stalking him?
@anjin-san: I’m standing by the system, which seems to be working here.
Not that one could tell if one relied on this site for coverage of the trial. The stories just dried up once the trial started.
I’d ask if that makes you the least bit curious, but I know the answer to that one…
@al-Ameda: “Stalking.” You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.
Plus, your whole scenario is completely out of whack with the testimony in the trial. At least, the testimony from the prosecution’s witnesses…
@Pinky:
So the fact she bailed out of the governorship to make millions of dollars in television and book deals is evidence of higher principles?
Oh, okay.
Seems like just the other day Jenos was whining (and whining some more) about people bringing up Zimmermann off topic.
Why it was just the other day! Fancy that…
@Jenos Idanian:
Stalking is exactly what Zimmerman did – he profiled the kid as a possible criminal, he had a gun, he followed him, the kid defended himself from Zimmerman, turned the tables on him and Zimmerman killed him. Evidently Martin is not permitted to defend himself from stalking neighborhood watch guys who carry guns.
I think this is an “O.J. Jury” and he’ll be found innocent/acquitted.
Well, money AND feeding her narcissism.
@al-Ameda: You missed the part where Zimmerman stopped following Martin, Martin made it to the back yard of the house where he was staying, and then went back about 100 yards for the confrontation with the “creepy-ass cracker.”
And a whole bunch of other things…
Grifters gotta grift.
♪♫♪
Stand by your man
And show the world you love him
Keep giving all the love you can
Stand by your man
♫♪♫
@Jenos Idanian:
No, I do recognize that a creepy neighborhood watch guy with a gun was stalking Martin, and that Martin turned the tables on him and Zimmerman killed him. Just another day in Florida.
@anjin-san:
Call it narcissism if you want. I don’t see how you can call it money.
@ Pinky
Yes, we can see that.
@Pinky:
Millions of dollars in book deals, television and other public appearances, and you don’t see how it could be the money? That’s amazing, where do I get a pair of those rose colored glasses?
@al-Ameda: Anyone who was a state energy commissioner and has a net worth under $1 billion, I have to figure isn’t in politics for the money. The book and tv stuff is par for the course at her level of political exposure.
I was interested in that story until I clicked on it and saw she was talking about running in Alaska. They know her there. She wouldn’t stand a chance.
@ Pinky
And Palin demanding that McCain staffers give her credit cards for Bloomingdale’s shopping sprees is what – further evidence of her deep love for America?
My mom taught me not to say anything if you didn’t have anything nice to say.
Palin is f’ing hot.
Otherwise…nothing to say.
@anjin-san: For all A, where A is an accusation that it is possible to make against someone, Sarah Palin is guilty of A.
Why do you think she’d need a shopping spree? Why do any candidates get new outfits when they’re running for higher office? More to the point, have you ever been around a woman when she’s critiquing another woman’s clothes?
@al-Ameda:
What is odd is that if Zimmerman had a Latino last name, you would probably be defending him. Why are progressives trying to put an end to neighborhood watches in the U.S. and accussing anyone of dialing 911 (snitching) or trying to help their community a racist. Why do progressives want to turn the entire U.S. into the hood with a “No Snitchin” culture?
What is amazing is that MSNBC gives a proven racist like Al Shaprton a full hour each day to promote separate and unequal, to promote racial hatred, and to promote guilty until proven innocent.
@ Pinky
Sure, sure. Of course campaign staffers should have to pay for Palin’s outfits with their personal credit cards. Of course Bristol’s birthday dress should be paid for by others. Of course it had to come from Sak’s.
Maybe you can show me where Obama picked up a few of his Hickey Freeman suits and passed the bill on to others.
Neighborhood watch? Please. Zimmermann broke Neighborhood Watch’s most fundamental rules. Curious that you have no problem with that. Or with his obsessive 911 calls that seemed to focus on black folks. Perhaps you can explain how calling 911 to report children playing in the street makes sense on any planet in the known universe…
@anjin-san: This. Firearms are for cops and vigilantes, not neighborhood watch. He’s lucky a shot didn’t take out a neighbor.
@rudderpedals: I mean more than one neighbor
@anjin-san: C’mon Anjin. An unarmed black
childpersonthug was killed when walking through the wrong neighborhood while carrying green tea and a bag of skittles. Happens every day. Why are you so upset about this one?@Pinky:
Seems unlikely she’s grifting the rubes (book deals, Fox) for the fun of it.
Why the hell am I reading comments about the Zimmerman trial in a post about Sarah Palin’s laughable press shenanigans? A whole third of the thread, dear God…
@anjin-san: I never would have thought to ask him about that. I still wouldn’t think to. It’s silly.
@Tillman:
There hasn’t been a Zimmerman post on OTB since the trial started and Jenos really wants to talk about it.
@ Pinky
Would think it was “silly” if a VIP where you work demanded you take her shopping at high end stores with your personal credit card?
Anyone want to start a pool on when Jenos’ head explodes over this?
@Jenos Idanian:
It clearly has captured your interest so why not write a detailed guest post on it and pitch to Dr Joyner to publish rather than hijacking other threads with the topic?
Who knows, perhaps Doug would enjoy the opportunity of giving you the same polite and constructive feedback that you regularly give him on his posts.
@superdestroyer:
Boy you sure got Liberals nailed, Superdestroyer. This is precisely why every one of them is so interested in this case: because they want to end neighborhood watches, dissuade people from dialing 911, and usher us into a “no snitchin” culture. With hoods involved somehow. Thanks for the intelligent commentary.
Shockingly, Chicken George has refused to take the stand. Certainly no one saw that coming.
Whatever happened to hiding the posts that had tons of downvotes? I miss being able to skip Jenos and superdestroyer.
@superdestroyer:
There are no progressives trying to put an end to neighborhood watches. That´s a pity, because people or private individuals performing tasks that should be performed by law enforcement is something that happens in countries where institutions are weak and where law enforcement does not work(Take a look at the lynchings that happens in Brazil or the concept of “policía comunitaria” in Mexico).
The United States is supposed to be a country where institutions work and law enforcement does exist. not a country where private individuals performs tasks that should be performed by cops.
@Andre Kenji:
With all the talk of wannabe cops, with lawsuits threatening home owner associations if they sponsor neighborhood watches, and profiling, the message if very clear that no homeowner association will want to be involved in crime prevention. Why try to lower the property crime rate in a neighborhood when the HOA can be sued out of existence. Why call the police if blacks are robbing your neighbor when that call can be used to sue you for profiling.
If Zimmerman is found guilty, I suspect that most HOA will withdraw any support for Neighborhood Watch program because their underwriters will insist.
@superdestroyer:
Let’s see: A guy with a gun stalked a kid, the kid turned the tables on the guy, the guy shot the unarmed kid. The police did not detain the guy pending any kind of investigation – and you wonder why some people think that race might be a factor?
I personally feel that Zimmerman will be acquitted or found innocent by an “OJ Jury.”
@superdestroyer:
Homeowners Associations should not be involved with crime prevention.
@ superdestroyer
Neighborhood watch has completely disavowed and denounced Zimmermann. He is Neighborhood Watch Kryptonite.
How long are you going to keep peddling this BS?