Peggy Noonan explains: She doesn't think 'it's over' for John McCain

Republican-speechwriter-turned-columnist Peggy Noonan was a center of attention Wednesday when, in a casual conversation inadvertently recorded after she had wrapped up an appearance on MSNBC, she seemed to say that, in her view, John McCain had no chance of winning the presidency.

"It's over" Noonan can be heard saying on the clip as she, NBC political director Chuck Todd and Mike Murphy (another one-time GOP political operative) discuss the ramifications of McCain's pick of Sarah Palin as his running mate.

Noonan has since clarified the context of her comment, and it's not as has been interpreted, she says.

She doesn't believe McCain can't win. Indeed, in a message she sent out after the conversation on the MSNBC set made it onto YouTube, she noted that "at an on-the-record press symposium on the campaign on Monday, when all of those on the panel were pressed to predict who would win, I said that I didn't know, but that we just might find, 'This IS a country for old men.' That is, McCain may well win. I do not think the campaign is over, I do not think this is settled ..."

Her "it's over" comment, she said, referred to the assumption among some GOP leaders that reactions within the Republican base -- such as the enthusiastic embrace of Palin -- reflect the attitudes of most Americans. It is those days, Noonan says, that are "over."

Our colleague Frank James at The Swamp blog has more on Noonan's clarification.

-- Don Frederick

Comments

[Snappy]

Noonan's rebuttal sounds like she's swallowing her own vomit. She's terribly dizzy for all her spinning. She's nothing but a water carrier for the GOP like Limbaugh, O'Reilly, Coulter, Hannity. No credibility.

[Snappy]

Noonan's rebuttal sounds like she's swallowing her own vomit. She's terribly dizzy for all her spinning. She's nothing but a water carrier for the GOP like Limbaugh, O'Reilly, Coulter, Hannity. No credibility.

[Judith]

I do think that Republican insiders may be thinking it's over. Otherwise, what else would explain McCain's absolute desperate move in choosing Palin as his running mate? He was obviously trying to soldify his base, but this pick will not gather many former Hillary supporters or Independents. This is the poorest pick of a running mate I've seen in many years of following elections. Funny how Noonan's backpedaling on her remarks now--it's hardly convincing.

[Penny k]

More spin and lies. Peggy knew exactly what she meant when she said it. Its yet another example of the surreal gross spin being used to frame a "reformist" ticket for the GOP. Isnt that a little like storming your own castle?

[fjfjdvdv]

Riiiight. And when I read this article and said "Noonan is lying," what I REALLY meant was "Noonan is telling the truth."

[Republican VN Era Veteran]

I think she was right - before the "clarification."

McCain will get a Palin bounce, but it will be fleeting.

Palin was more More Rosanne Barr than Ronald Reagan.

While she exonerated McCain for his hasty choice, and energized the party faithful, very few others seem to be impressed.

But given McCain’s age, Palin is a difficult pill for most Americans to swallow.

[dave]

'today they want you to believe a patriot supports what the government wants - a true patriot supports liberty and the people.'
- RON PAUL

it's over for the agents, the puppets and puppeteers,
of collectivist dictatorships of all colors, local or global. whether their proponents and propagators yet realize it or not.
the attempt has failed, to clandestinely eradicate from the face of the earth all self-reliant free nations, composed of mature and peaceful individuals, independent in thought and actions, vigilant and valiant in the protection and defense of their inalienable rights.
when a nation awakes to liberty, it is restored to love and life.
RON PAUL is the only legitimate, and by far the youngest, most spirited and vital, of all the presidential candidates, though most advanced in years.
but life itself is on his side. many people feel and see this, and his integrity and wisdom; and like him, accept the challenge and obligation to rebuild a free nation, although many around them no longer or not yet, seem to fully understand them.

[indy4palin]

Peggy Noonan is a complete idiot.

[yolanda]

people like her and others should watch what they say they get caught with their mouths WIDE open!!!!! shame on her and the others that were there.left wing thinking all the way!!

[Dave]

The denials are weak when you read the transcript.
Murphy: You know, because I come out of the blue swing state governor work. Engler, Whitman, Thompson, Mitt Romney, Jeb Bush. And these guys, this is all like how you want to (inaudible) this race. You know, just run it up. And it’s not gonna work.

Noonan: It’s over.

Murphy: Still, McCain can give a version of the Lieberman speech to do himself some good.

CT: Don’t you think the Palin pick was insulting to Kay Bailey Hutchinson, too (inaudible)

Noonan: I saw Kay this morning.

Murphy: They’re all bummed out. I mean, is she really the most qualified woman they could have turned to?

Todd: Yeah, I mean is she really the most qualified woman they could have turned to?

Noonan: The most qualified? No. I think they went for this, excuse me, political bullshit about narratives and (inaudible) the picture.

Yeah, but what’s the narrative?

Noonan: Every time the Republicans do that because that’s not where they live and it’s not what they’re good at and they blow it.

Murphy: You know what’s really the worst thing about it? The greatness of McCain is no cynicism and this is cynical.

And as you call it gimmicky.

She was lying before and she's lying again.
If what she writes is so different than what she believes, then whose opinions does she give when she knows the mics are on?

[Karen R]

A giant *RASPBERRY* to Peggy Noonan! She has grown more liberal every day for quite some time now.
But her inadvertantly overheard comments were so catering to the big media she works for.

[Ada Taylor]

Peggy, so sorry that you were so quick to judge. I was always a fan of yours. NO MORE!!!!
Ada Taylor, Walla Walla, Wa.

[kelly]

Just like MSNBC! Not turn off a recording. Wait until their "Anointed One", Nobama, is in need of rescue. Then put the recording on YouTube. How unprofessional and disrespectful can you get? And now look at which media sources pick up the story... You guessed it, the LA Times.

I hope the American People begin to catch on the crap they are all feeding us. Are we such fools? The media thinks so.

[Fred]

It's interesting to note that this story only works if you ignore all her other comments given at the same time; namely that the Republicans "have gone with the bulls--t political idea of a narrative... not where they live or what they are good at," and agreeing that the choice of Palin is "cynical." She said much more than "it's over."

[TimL]

Peggy I really think we understood exactly what you meant in its true context. You indicated "It's Over" and proceeded to back it up with evidence.

The point is you as a major Republican Pundit realize how horrible a choice this Miss Popular/Drama Queen really was. She has no real political ability. But she really can read lines and smile pretty for applause and something she tihnks is funny. She can also crush the career of people who disagree with her. To me she sounds much like a person with far to little intelligence and far to much power. This woman as VP scares the hell out of me. There is no way I could vote for this ticket at this point even if Obama came out and indicated he is Osama Bin Laden's son with plans to dominate the world. At the very least Obama is obviously intelligent... this woman reminds so much of the cheerleaders in highschool who though they were miss perfect and EXPECTED everything to be handed to them just because they were present. This woman is a joke and a disgrace.

[A Mom in America]

So hilarious when the truth of what people really think when they aren't posturing for the camera is caught on tape. And equally sad that they so quickly retract their statements when they are caught. We need an honest dialogue in this country. I'm disappointed that Noonan couldn't come out strong this morning and say, "That's right, I don't think Palin is the best choice." SHE WAS RIGHT. Shame on Noonan for her cowardice.

[jack]

Peggy is almost intolerable to listen to now. She's in love with herself. It oozes out of her pores.

[Jay Mack]

If you think Obama is such a great asset to America, just wait until the idiot who runs CHicago starts getting everything he wants in Washington. His brother is running for governor, too.

You are absolute fools to want the corruption that we have in Chicago and Illinois. Both are broke, and disasters, with no way out.

[robin]

Its funny she says one thing on the show, then the 'cameras go off' and she says to opposite. Then, as a defense, she says 'look what I said when the cameras were on, that is what I really believe'.

Well there are no cameras here, but I have no trouble figuring out which side of her I really believe.

[fel121]

Why can't right wingers tell the truth about how they feel regarding their own party, has anyone ever wondered about that.

[gene willard]

As a man I am very inspired by Sarah Palin! I talked to many men today and WE ALL LOVE HER! She did not need the ILK of the libs to get where she is at and that angers many of you / them. Sarah is getting "The Man" vote folks. Truly historic! I LOVE WHAT SHE WILL BRING TO WASHINGTON!!!!!

[smokey]

Keep your friends close and your emenies closer....

[From Florida]

I'm so very disappointed with Peggy's remarks.
Sarah Palin seems as honest, & STRONG Character what you see is what you get. It is truly shamefull to see the Women in the Liberal media attack her, but a REPUBLICAN Woman like NOON it's truly outrageous. PALIN has every single LIBERAL/Democrat SHAKING IN THEIR BOOTS, & obviously some Republicans as well. I'm glad McCain picked Sarah! THEY WILL WIN & SARAH WILL RUN 2012 & be the FIRST WOMAN PRESIDENT OF OUR COUNTRY! OBama has NO EXPERIENCE, has done ZERO- yet some think he's fit to be president- what a joke of an opinion, Hillary has more cridentials than Obama, yet some how the Democratic PARTY didn't see it SHAME ON THEM! the drive by Media made OBAMA, but the VOTERS will let their CHOICE BE KNOWN for MCcain & PALIN!

[Susan]

Look, I am sure that Huckabee, Romney, and many other republicans feel they are better candidates or at the very least equal. I would agree. I would also imagine that choosing a nice looking woman, with the entire package, meaning brains and looks is very, very bothersome to many women that are just plain envious. So few people, let alone many women, could have gotten up on that stage under all that pressure and hit a home run. Peggy Noonan shot herself in the foot with her comments, and revealed how narrow minded she really is. Loose lips sink ships which apparently many in Washington keep forgetting.

[Lincoln A.]

So how does she explain the rest of the comment. Right after she said "It's over...", she also said, "...this is a gimmick, it's political B.S.". And YES she did say it, I heard the audio with my own ears, it was very clear. Did she have any explaination for those comments?

[CG Mayell]

If Palin made it to president, she'd nuke our adversaries and we'd all be dead.

Her main claim to fame in Alaskan politics was in getting money from the feds, which is an old budget balancing trick most other states have been using for years. Unfortunately her success has made her cocky and there is nothing more dangerous in the White House than an arrogant, bellicose, ignorant politician. Hasn't this country learned the folly of these types yet?