Krauthammer: Romney is the Next Guy In Line
From NRO:
On prospective GOP candidates for 2012:
Romney really is the frontrunner. He has done himself well. He is a grown-up. He knows economics. He's trusted on that.
There is also a tradition among Republicans of nominating the next in line, as we did with George Bush, Sr. in 1988, Dole in '96, and McCain in '08, sort of the last grown-up who was left over from the last campaign.
And I think that Romney has done well. Look, he is the guy who is as clean as clean can get. You are not going to wake up in the morning and discover he is crying in Argentina. This is a solid guy and he's got a record.
Hmm. George Bush won in 1988 because he was Reagan's VP and he lost when he abandoned Reaganism.
Dole? Loser
McCain? Loser
Yes, it sounds like Romney is the best bet.
As for Palin, Krauthammer believes that she is not a serious candidate because she is not a policy wonk like a Romney or the other very successful GOP candidates he lists. Palin must be one of those candidates who sees the "big picture" and doesn't get into the little details, unlike beltway superstar Mitt Romney. I suppose we need to avoid people like Palin, and that other guy who came before her as the scorn of the beltway elites.
Apparently, Krauthammer doesn't like candidates who speak in simple language -- like this:
On the Foreign Policy:
"We win, they lose."
On American values:
"All great change in America begins at the dinner table."
On Economics:
"Government does not solve problems; it subsidizes them."
That Reagan guy was just not a "serious candidate" for the presidency. It is clear from Krauthammer's takes on Palin, when the subject comes up on the panel, that he doesn't follow her career at all.
Posts
43 comments:
CK knows certain subject material but he's too stupid to realize that he's a pompous ass.
After CK deduces that Sarah Palin has studied up, i.e., she crushed his preppy boy Mitt, he'll come around. As for now, I've put him on my dead to me list with all the other snobs, like Bennett, Noonan, Parker, Will, etc.
Krauthammer is a smart man and all, but he is all sorts of wrong here.
Romney represents everything about losing. He can't even win against McCain!
He left the health care in Massachusetts in shambles and can't even decide on what position to take in issues. He supported Obama firing the head of GM and supported the "stimulus" for banks and car companies as well as government control in these sectors.
Is that fiscal conservatism?
And who says Romney is a foreign policy wonk? From where?
The elitism is too much too handle.
I would also add, Mitt could have Krauthammer, but Sarah has Levin, Malek, Rush, Bruce, Gallagher, and others on her side. That ain't bad.
I love Charles when he's on Obama's case, but I disagree with him here.
For one, I do not believe in the "next in line" meme that some spout. It just seems that way because we tend to nominate the person who was involved in the previous campaign and proved himself to be a capable candidate. In this case, Romney, Huck and Palin all are "next in line" because they withstood the pressures of a national campaign.
It's the candidate who learned from it who will get the nomination. The candidate who flat out organizes on the ground level on up, who galvanizes volunteers and the get-out-the-vote effort and, of course, the best fundraiser; that's the candidate who will be our nominee.
So far, as of today, I see Mitt doing the same thing he did in 2008; meeting and reaching out to the same people (the party establishment). I don't see him meeting and connecting with the grassroots, and I think if he does not do this, he will once again be a 2nd or 3rd place finisher.
Huck is connecting with the rank and file - the grassroots, but he is also thumbing his nose at the establishment - all of them! I don't know if this is a winning strategy either.
When Palin is ready, her grassroots will be there. She does seem to be picking and choosing among some of the establishment, knowing that they can be of benefit to her campaign.
Here's the video on that exchange
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2l8ts15kIrA
I'll give CK this one: remember he was the one who originated the Bush Doctrine and defended Palin against the ridicule of her by the entire MSM who tried to insinuate that she was a dolt.
That was huge for her credibility at the time.
CK might support Romney in the primary but he'll play dutiful soldier for her in the general. He's been critical but not erratic or snobbish like Noonan, Parker etc. He takes no enjoyment in putting Sarah down. Basically, he's waiting to be impressed and I am pretty sure Sarah can manage that. She does have to be able to convert at least people like Ck to her side. After all, as a leader of free world, she's expected to deal with much harder nutcases. This is practice. As long as CK doesn't make derogatory comments against the governor, he's entitled to his opinion.
This is typical from Krauthammer, guys. He's brilliant on some things, and an utter disaster on others.
I remember that, techno.
I just wish these pundits like Charles would stop saying "she has to do her homework...blah, blah, blah"....
The fact is, no one, including Charles, knows what Sarah Palin is doing behind the scenes to prepare. For all we know, she is studying with advisers on foreign policy and other issues; WE JUST DON'T KNOW and to speculate otherwise is extremely disingenuous.
But, I still love him. ;) Keep sticking it to Obama, Charles!
Oh, and she has a job as CEO of a state, whereas Romney doesn't; therefore, he has the time to do interviews with the media and give speeches to his fund raising cronies.
Jenny,
Sarah has some VERY smart people on her side: Victor Davis Hanson, Tom Sowell, Camille Paglia, and Mark Steyn to name a few.
I agree for the most part with Wisetrog's assessment of CK.
Throughout all of the posts and comments of today, we must remember a few things though: it doesn't matter entirely the opinion of pundits. Pundits get one vote just like the rest of us. There may be some voters out their who will listen to pundits and vote accordingly without formulating his or her own opinion, but I think, hopefully not too idealistically, that people will seek out information themselves and form their own opinions. Gov. Sarah seems to have the support of many of the radio show hosts which is big, and she is gaining the support or at least respect of some columnists. Plus, she has the best grassroots (or should I saw tundraroots>) support of any potential candidate out there.
With all of the garbage journalism and opinions, I think we all should take a step back and chill a bit. Yes, what is being said is extremely frustrating, and we must refute the lies and smears. At the same time, we must be about support of Gov. Sarah's actions, just as much as we speak against the words of others. When she is able to call the shots, she will be able to allow her record and her stances to speak for themselves.
I kind of don't mind all the talk about Mitt being the guy right now. It is so early on. It also feels like kind of a set-up at least from the left for Mitt. The saying 'the early bird gets the worm but the second mouse gets the cheese' might fit a little here. I'm comfortable with where Sarah is at right now.
Excellent deconstruction of CK's article, JR. This is worth forwarding on.
And yes, as much as I like Krauthammer, his take on Sarah is just dead wrong. I'm hoping (like many here) that he'll eventually come around.
Just as an example of missing her actions because of having to refute others' words, one thing we've missed is that Gov. Sarah signed a bill yesterday allowing Alaskan college students to still receive loans in spite of the economic downturn.
http://www.gov.state.ak.us/news.php?id=1944
Okay- CK also thought Romney was going to be the runaway victor in 2008. Of course, at the time, McCain was in the tank, so who knew?
3 1/2 years away.
Actually, the Krauthammer clip wasn't as bad as I was expecting. Fred really put Charles' feet to the fire with his comments about 'elitist republicans' hating her for cultural reasons. Comments that was clearly aimed at CK1. He suddenly softened and even backpeddled a little, explaining how she could still do it, but time was a-wastin'. He's clearly a Mitt man, but I think he'll give her a fair shake if she comes out strong.
I normally like CK, but he seems not to have done his homework on this. He does, however, have a sense of fairness. I'll bet he has never met Gov. Palin, and when he does (hopefully soon) his opinion of her will improve, as it has with so many others that have met her personally.
CK could turn out to be a bellwether. If Gov. Palin can win him over, I think she has the '12 nomination if she wants it. It would be tantamount to taking MI or PA in the general election.
Krauthammer usually defends Sarah and I don’t think he meant to bring her down. What he meant by saying that Mitt is next in line is that this is conventional republican wisdom. I think CK wants Sarah to succeed he once did say she is the most Reagon like. When she runs and he sees she’s well educated with the issues he’ll come around.
I listened to Krauthammer, Easton, and Barnes last evening..... They all say Sarah has wasted the mo's since election not studying, etc...
What shallowness and stupid is that! DUH!! Sarah is a Governor you dim wits! ... taking care of business in one of the nastiest atmospheres possible post election, in a state where the Governor has real power and greater day to day responsibilities during Legislative Sessions and most important honors her commitment to ALASKA FIRST.
She would have been crucified, and sometimes was, if not for her undivided attention to Alaskans.
This Washington mentality, better known as insanity, is exactly why, come 2012 Sarah's position as an outsider will be enhanced greatly living 3000 miles from the epicenter of the Atomic destruction of America.
I think Malek should set up a meeting between Krauthammer and Palin. I think he'll change his mind. Sarah is a smart woman, but we have some utterly stupid journalists that ask irrelevant questions and have no idea what they're talking about.
The Palin Standard
I like the Fox News Special Report. It’s now hosted by Brett Baer who has done an excellent job replacing the retiring Brit Hume. The last 20 minutes or so are a panel discussion with three panelists. Sometimes there are substitutions, but usually they are Charles Krauthammer, Fred Barnes and Mara Liasson. This panel is unique in the media in the respect that it consists of two conservatives and one liberal.
The subject of Republican candidates for 2012 was part of the discussion on July 1. When the discussion turned to Sarah Palin everyone agreed that Palin should be busy studying foreign policy issues to prepare herself if she decided to run. One of the panelists recommended that she send for policy experts to visit her in Alaska to provide a tutorial.
And everyone nodded.
This is the conventional wisdom and it’s wrong. Why should Palin be held to a different standard than the people who won the election in 2008?
Quick ... when did Obama get quizzed on foreign policy?
Obama’s foreign policy consisted of pulling out of Iraq before we were successful and closing Guantanamo before he knew what could be done with the terrorists there. Oh yes, the other leg of his foreign policy was to hold talks with Ahmadinejad of Iran without pre-conditions.
Can anyone remember Obama getting a “test” on foreign policy during the campaign? Can anyone remember anything about the Obama campaign other than “hope and change,” “yes we can,” and “we are the ones we have been waiting for.”
Why is Sarah Palin going to judged on a different standard that the recent winner in the Presidential sweepstakes? Is there a different test that Republican women must pass? Why is there a demand that Sarah Palin be required to prepare a doctoral dissertation and be subject to an oral exam as if she were attending graduate school while the winner of the last election not only does not have her experience, he was not even asked about his knowledge.
It is easy and obvious to point out that there is a double standard in the MSM. But to see it exhibited – rather mindlessly – by a person for whom I have as much respect as Charles Krauthammer and someone who is as reflexively conservative as Fred Barnes is infuriating. It’s like a reflexive tick. It’s as if they view her as the SNL’s Tina Fey claiming to see Russia from her house.
What is the matter with the people inside the Beltway when it comes to Sarah Palin? Is it because she’s a woman? Is it because she too good looking? Is she too middle class? Is it her accent? Is it her religion? Is it because she’s from Alaska? Is it because she did not attend an Ivy League University? Is it because she appeals to people in "flyover country?" Why do the people who sell access to Obama administration officials and the editors of the Washington Post for $25,000 and up hate her so?
What is it?
Krauthammer said that "You cannot sustain a campaign of platitudes and cliches over a year and a half if you're running for the Presidency." Was Charles Krauthammer, for whom I have the utmost respect, living in an alternative universe during the last presidential campaign? "Hope and change" is the very definition of a platitude while "we are the ones we have been waiting for" does not aspire to even that level.
Mind you, I am not in favor of electing ill-equipped demagogues to any office, let alone the presidency. But that's just what happened in 2008. The idea that you can't do what Barack Obama so obviously did makes Krauthammer's comments silly and makes me question the motives behind his dismissal of Palin. He appears to favor Romney who is a very rich man.
In his defense, he may have meant to say that Republicans - unlike Democrats - can't run an empty suit and win. But Ronald Reagan proved that you can win an election on big ideas without taking a test in which you are asked to name the second assistant vice chairman of Bulgaria.
I absolutely believe in this "next in line" position adhered to by my friends at the Beltway Elite!
That is how all contests should be decided.
Who is next in line after the Steelers?
Who is next in line after the Lakers?
Who is next in line after the Penguins?
Who is next in line after the Phillies?
Just step right up, we'll hand you the trophies, and you can pencil in your trip to The White House!
No need for those silly practices, blood(gross), sweat(icky), tears, preseason games, regular season games, competition, or the championship game!
(Jay Ramras, listen up, you might want to put some money on these teams):
The Arizona Cardinals will be handed the Super Bowl trophy.
The Orlando Magic won't have to lift a finger for the NBA Championship.
The (puke) Detroit Red Wings will raise the Stanley Cup.
The Tampa Bay Rays will take home the World Series.
There ya go, eazy-peazy.
So, yeah, I'm going to go over to HuffPo, DailyKos, and Moderates4Mitt. They realize it's going to be Mitt!
I'm not wasting my time on that, that, hick, Governor Palin.
Get to the back of the line, toots! We've seen the future, and you ain't it.
-Written by anonymous source(s), unnamed source(s), backstabber(s), spineless one(s), jerk(s), shmitt(s)
http://hotair.com/archives/2009/07/02/krauthammer-palin-isnt-a-serious-candidate-for-president/
AP has a link up abt this, and he thinks a) CK is right and b) SP looks stupid by wanting to explain her husband's AIP membership. As no one knew, until the release of those emails, why Todd would have been registered as an AIP member, I thought she was right that the campaign should put out her side of the story.
For some reason, however, I cannot post at Hot Air and cannot figure out why. They have my username but it may be affiliated with another email address, who knows.
Wait...
Romney = 50
Palin = 20,000
Charles?...Your What Hurts?
Ya know, as an American I do not like the whole idea of the comment of the anonymous source, unnamed source, blah, blah, person at 5:27. I don't want to start a fight with you shmitt(s),but with all due respect, I have to disagree with your whole premise. Let me explain.
I do not want President Obama to have any more free time to wreck the economy, ruin relations with foreign countries, give lame gifts, or go on anymore Opology tours.
So, if there are no sporting events, no games, no playoffs, no seasons no March Madness, he won't be poring over sports pages, researching teams and matchups, getting on the internets, watching SportsCenter, and filling out brackets. Way too much free time, for him to wreak havoc on America.
So, I want to see a full slate of contests, competition, races, all seasons in all of the sports.
America's future depends on it.
-Written by a weird ordinary barbarian supporter of Governor Palin
I have great respect for Charles
Krauthammer, he's possibly one of the most incisive analysts around on economy and foreign policy, That's why I found those kudos for Romney a little odd.
As usual, Allah misses the point of the AIP attack, which was carried in print by Talbot in Salon, and on Youtube by one of David Axelrod's astroturfing associates, Jason Winner that Jim
Treacher uncovered tryingto make her some arch secessionist by proxy. There had actually been
a governor who had run under the AIP banner in the Vogler era; Wally Hickel, was he planning to secede. This was a way to undermine her patriotic credentials and relativize her with Obama and Rev. Wright. I'm sure it would stick in anyone's craw, if such an allegation was made about them.
CK is a serious intellectual, but something in his makeup can't see an outsider like SP being successful.
Isn't it amazing how what you hear on "news" shows is so far off base it isn't even funny ?
(All you need to win an election is the most votes).
Here is what they said about Reagan, from Thomas Sowell's "Vision of the Anointed"...
http://hbhls.blogspot.com/2009/07/recent-onslaught-of-criticism-directed.html
Manajordan put it best. It's okay if everyone assumes that Mitt is the Man to beat.
Four years ago, Hillary Clinton was the 44th President of the United States.
The people in D.C., especially the pundits, talk only to each other. They do not get how Mitt's phoniness was his undoing last year-and how history will repeat itself in the next cycle.
I say again: Mitt Romney couldn't beat Hitler in an election for Mayor of Jerusalem. He's that phony.
Republicans are going to want a Truman to run against the Thomas E. Dewey of the Democratic Party, Barack Obama. And they will get her. But all things in their good time.
Wisetrog wrote: "Basically, he's waiting to be impressed and I am pretty sure Sarah can manage that."
Ditto. I enjoy listening to CK's analysis on the day's events, and agree with what he says most of the time. I do think that he's seeing more "effort" out of Romney right now and he's correct. Romney is pushing pretty hard out there right now. And he has that luxury b/c he's not a sitting Gov. As soon as the Guv decides what she wants to do re: re-election then it's likely we'll see a big push from her.
The Fox panel yesterday did have me a little disheartened, but I do appreciate that as a whole the panel: Mara, Charles, Fred, and Bret recognize that the Guv has something extraordinary and all they were doing is giving their opinion on her as of TODAY.
CK needs to see the goods from Sarah's mouth and not what she had to parrot from the 2008 campaign. He'll come around to her.
I'm just at the point where I want Sarah to blow up the Republican Party -epically nuclear style -and see it destroyed for years to come. It deserves to be sucking dry sand in the desert for another decade or two.
She can do it too. Her Alaskan-style libertarian roots may just shock them all.
The depths of the misogny-hell-just downright anti-female hatred of some in the clown car of DC politics has depressed me more than anything, post Nov 2008.
TWO WORDS: Palin Crowds.
THREE WORDS: McCain beat Romney!!
FOUR WORDS: Romney used by Media.
LOTSA WORDS:
Noon, January 20, 2013 on a sunny day on the steps of the capitol with a million in attendance. Chief Justice administers the oath of office to the 45th President of the United States Sarah Heath Palin. The oath is administered and the Chief Justice looks at the new President and says 'Congratulations Madame President'. 21 cannon salute begins and "Hail to the Chief" plays in the background as Former President Barack Obama heads back to Chicago after crushing defeat in November.
See it.....work for it....believe.
TEA PARTY ANYONE? :-)
"Can anyone remember Obama getting a “test” on foreign policy during the campaign? Can anyone remember anything about the Obama campaign other than “hope and change,” “yes we can,” and “we are the ones we have been waiting for.”
Exactamundo. As Rush has taken to saying at the start of every show: How's that hope and change workin' out for ya?
Now that we've elected the "blank-slate candidate" that 52% of voters assumed would do a good job running the country -- and he's a dismal, America-hating failure -- NOW, only NOW do we demand a candidate who's got some serious qualifications!
Like Fred Barnes said, what Sarah doesn't know, she could easily find out by picking up the phone and having experts flying to AK.
Part of being a successful leader is surrounding yourself with good people. I wouldn't expect any president to know everything about econ and foreign policy, but I would hope that they'd know the people that knew those things. What I think the general population of Sarah lovers "get" and the Beltway eejits don't is that Sarah loves and respects our Founding Documents, she lives conservatism and as her dad says, "She's honest!"
If this BS about Mitt being "next in line" continues in the coming 18 months and the GOP humors him, I think Sarah could still win in a landslide as an indy if we still have a country left in 2012.
Obama BOWED to the Saudis for cryin' out loud!
and they want Palin to study up on foreign policy?
ha...
that's funny right there...
Gov Palin has great instincts on everything else...she will have great instincts on foreign policy!
NoMo,
That's a great visualization you've got going on there. I suggest we C4Pers practice it every morning and night. I can just see the Barbarian Horde/(Ace)Moron section on the Mall for the swearing in!
It's important to have the right instincts, as well as the right policies. The right people like Bolton and Schueneman, with a much more clear eyed view of foreign intentions would flock to her side.Leave out the likes or Richard Haasand Sam Nunn(Couric's tutor on Palin) AS for economic policy, it will be quite a chore to disentangle us from the mess we'vebeen saddled with
You know maybe if Arabia had a Permanent Fund, the Wahhabis and their passel of unemployed princes
wouldn't have nearly so much influence. Chavez came about in part because the Venenezuelans overspent in fallow times, and had to slash in lean times. A flip flopping former Prez, caused the social explosion called the Caracazo, when his promises fell through.He took the opportunity of rising from that economic chaos (sounds familiar)
The HA thread on this subject is approaching 1000+ postings.
TWO WORDS: Krauthammer wrong.
THREE WORDS: The Beltway speaks.
FOUR WORDS: Base not a listening.
FIVE WORDS: D.C. Pundits clueless again.
SIX WORDS: It's 1977 again...with Jimmah Obama
1-20-13,
After a vicious campaign during 2012 the crowds gather throughout Washington to celebrate "Rebuilding a Strong America" (the theme of the Inaugural).
The crowds swell in front of the Capitol and all along the Main Mall, the defeated Liberal Democrats led by Outgoing president Barack Obama slink out to the platform. The President-Elect and her family make their way to the podium, nearly 5 year old Trig holds the bible along with the new First Gentleman to be. The VP-elect is sworn in and then history is about to made as President-elect Palin makes her way to the podium with Trig, Bristol, Willow, Piper and Track behind her...the President-elect raises her right hand........history is made, the nation renewed.....America can breathe again.....it's MORNING IN AMERICA AGAIN.
See it, Believe it, witness it.....and join me in front of the podium for history!!!!
Now approaching 1200+ posts at HA.
Post a Comment