Dear Friends: Long-time readers know I am a Palin Democrat. Needless to say, I was a little unhappy with the news that Sarah is not putting her hat into the Presidential ring for 2012. However, I was not stunned.
For my resilience, I wish to thank my beloved husband Horemheb and the members of the San Diego Local Order of Bloggers. They had always been a bit skeptical of Palin’s chances of winning (though I think she should have run anyway, to focus the debate on the real issues). They were also wary of her motivation (believing she was more interested in profit than public service). Because I value their well considered opinions, I did not go all in — so the news of her decision was not as upsetting as it might have been.
Tammy Bruce and her fans have a great discussion on Palin’s choice, and there is a wide range of reactions in the Palinsphere.There are two themes that are brought up with which I concur:
* The announcement was poorly timed and executed. Why have SarahPAC issue a donation request to “help Palin decide” a couple of weeks ago — when it was probably a firm “no” for a run? Why wait until day after the general release of “The Undefeated”? I don’t mind profit, but this seems dishonest. Fortunately, because of the sensibilities of my friends and husband, I did not drop a dime into this enterprise.
* The rest of the GOP field is deeply flawed. Romney thinks man-made global warming is real and has Romneycare. Perry can’t debate effectively and just called reasoned citizens “heartless”. Cain presents as a radio talk show host, lacks depth on non-business issues, and besmirched Perry’s character falsely on a media constructed racial matter. Bachmann is a non-starter for her selection of Ed Rollins and the fact she is a Romney tool. Ron Paul is a no-go for his lack of sane messaging on important topics and foreign policy stances. Huntsman is an elite charlatan hack. Rick Santorum is too focused on social issues, and Gingrich is a beltway insider whose expiration date has passed (and who tried to usurp the tea party movement when it first arose).
This leaves me, by default, with Gary Johnson — who at least has a record of effective executive experience in New Mexico and hasn’t tried to insult my intelligence. In fact, one of my deeply liberal friends indicated that Johnson was the only GOP candidate she could vote for. However, as Johnson has not been blessed by the Republican establishment nor allowed to participate in the debate process by the elite media I don’t think I will have this choice on Nov, 6 2012.
So, in Nov. 2012, my focus will be on the House of Representatives and Senate as part of Operation Counterweight. The only thing I can say about tea partiers for certain is that 100% of them will be voting next November. For whom, I cannot say. However, it will be the purpose of citizen activists everywhere to get fiscally-oriented, small-government-focused representation in the Congress to greet the new President.
I am a Democrat. I will not vote for Obama under any circumstance. The man and his wife have shown themselves to be corrupt and self-serving.
However, it seems that I will have to be inebriated to some level when I go to the polls to pull the lever for the GOP candidate. Therefore, I have devised the Beer Test, which will help me convey to my Republican friends the actual cross-party appeal their candidate has. So far, here are my number:
Johnson: One beer.
Perry: 2 beers.
Romney: Martini with a beer chaser.
Cain: 4 beers.
Santorum: 4 beers.
Ron Paul: 6 beers.
Gingrich: 3 beers, followed by 3 Long Island Ice Teas.
Bachmann: Vodka on the rocks.
Huntsman: Pint of Everclear.
The alcohol levels may change as the debates continue and the primary season progresses. Let me know your thoughts in the comments section; Chris Reed kindly invited me to opine tomorrow on his Top Story show tomorrow (I should be on about 7:30 pm).
Temple of Mut 
If it’s Santorum I’m going to have to mix the painkillers prescribed for my neck injury with Bushmills.
But seriously, we may need to have a slob debate of Perry vs Romney. Right now I would pick Perry.
Yeah, I like Gary Johnson too. Maybe we could push for him. and… he hasn’t been slaughtered by the media yet.
The chances are more than 1% that there will be no election and that number is rising. The cloward & piven strategy is in full effect with violence on the bottom via Occupy Wall Street. Senate Democrats just used the “nuclear option” that they decried in 2005 to stop “embarrassing” votes. Gov. Perdue floated the trial balloon to suspend elections when she is on the council that can impliment such a rule during a state of emergency.
When this administration is gone, I will be drinking champagne.
Great post, linked.
Sarah is a smart cookie. She is also brave. Thus we can assume this is not a cowardly nor foolish decision. Let’s see how this develops before we get down in the dumps.
Don’t start doubting her judgement now. Personally, I think she could demonstrate her executive skills by managing our nation’s resources as the Secretary of Interior. If we are really lucky, a new Republican Congress would merge the Department of Energy into Interior, and she could dismantle that morass.
I like Herman Cain. No alcohol necessary there for me. As for Sarah, I think she was marvelous. I never thought she would run and all along I thought she was stringing the press and haters along, giving them a rich target to attack. Now it turns out they’ve wasted their time, time that could have been spent savaging one of the Republican front runners.
I like Ron Paul, who has the only sane stance of war – avoid, unless necessary, as they can ruin both victor (if there is one) and vanquished. (Sarah Palin had kind things to say about him in the past, one of the things that initially attracted me to her.See this interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YglP4clX0A.) However, the GOP would never nominate him, and if he gets close, he’d better have his own mechanic checking the planes he flies in.
The poster who questioned whether we’d have elections may be on to something. The bipartisan Establishment would like that just fine (matters of individual ambition aside for those seeking office).
If it’s Obama vs. anybody but Paul (and maybe Johnson), I will again vote third-party – assuming that we have elections.
Johnson: Never heard of him; I’ll bow to your wizdom, Priestess
Perry: 2 beers.
Romney: Fifth of VERY cheap whiskey; that will hurt almost as much as pulling the lever will
Cain: 4 beers.
Santorum: 4 beers.
Ron Paul: heh. Yeah right
Gingrich: 1 beer. it could be worse
Bachmann: Vodka And cranberry on the rocks. Its a mistake, but at least I’ll enjoy it
Huntsman: Pint of Everclear.