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The Spectacle Blog
Timing is (almost) everything in politics, which is why I find myself in disagreement with John O'Sullivan, Philip Klein and Jennifer Rubin over the question of whether Sarah Palin can afford to skip the 2012 presidential campaign.
As I said in a comment on Phil's post, Jack Kemp might have been president if he had been willing to challenge Bush 41 in either the 1988 or '92 primaries, but instead waited until '96, by which time his star had faded. I would also cite the case of Bill Clinton, who was smart to launch a bid for the Democratic primary in 1991, when Bush 41 looked unbeatable, thus allowing Clinton to run against a relatively weak primary field. For that matter, when Barack Obama announced in January 2007 he would challenge Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination, a lot of people (including me) thought he was nuts.
If Obama has a successful two-term presidency -- almost by definition, including national health care -- I don't see where there's much point in conservatives caring who wins the White House in 2016. The only real hope for the preservation of economic freedom is for the Obama presidency to be a one-term political debacle of Carteresque proportions, followed by a Republican president with the kind of political charm necessary to push for real free-market reforms.
Sorry to be so obstinate about this, and granting all caveats about Palin's shortcomings, I really think she needs to be in a full-immersion cram course to be ready to announce by January 2011. Otherwise, it may be too late for her -- and too late for freedom. As Palin herself put it, "Don't let me miss an open door."
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More Blog Posts by Robert Stacy McCain
http://spectator.org/blog/2008/12/23/can-sarah-wait
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J David| 12.23.08 @ 1:44PM
Rubin's a RINO, so it doesn't matter what she says, her opinion doesn't count.
Kleinheider| 12.23.08 @ 3:13PM
Jack Kemp might have been president if he had been willing to challenge Bush 41 in either the 1988 or '92 primaries, but instead waited until '96, by which time his star had faded.
Actually, Kemp did run for President in '88 quite unsuccessfully failing to claim the Reagan mantle and rallying conservatives.
Also, Kemp did NOT run for Presudent in 1996. He was nominated by Dole for Veep that year.
You are correct, however. Kemp did miss his shot in 1992. Had he followed through on his criticisms of Bush the Elder and challenged him in the primary, Kemp may have short-circuited both the Buchanan and Perot uprisings and coasted into the Presidency against Bill Clinton in the general election.
Alan Brooks| 12.23.08 @ 4:25PM
Have you seen my eybrow pencil?
our very credibility is at stake.
Robert Stacy McCain| 12.23.08 @ 5:19PM
Thanks for the correction, Mr. Kleinheider. Shortly after I filed that post, I thought to myself, "Hey, wait a minute . . . " but shook it off. Should have thought to check my memory before posting. Ah, well.
katie| 12.23.08 @ 8:11PM
Sarah Palin is just what we need, someone who makes Washington scared! Come on Sarah lets shake things up!! Every day I look at my Sarah Palin calendar and I am inspired to fight! She will make it to the White House! (the calendar by the way, is on amazon, and is GORGEOUS!! it also makes a great gift!!) SARAH PALIN 2012!!
Bill Dozier| 12.24.08 @ 3:32AM
In fact, somewhere on an old VHS tape I have one of the 1988 debates. When Bush said he wanted to be the "education president" Kemp launched from his seat and looked as if he might explode.
Dai Alanye| 12.24.08 @ 5:34PM
I fail to comprehend the appreciation of Jack Kemp as the GOP's Frederick Barbarossa. Kemp proved what kind of campaigner he was when trying for VP under Dole in '96. He completely flopped, and I've never seen a hint of charisma in any appearance from him since.
Let's face it--if you allow Al Gore to handily out-debate you, chances are you can't hope to attain the presidency.
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