Sarah Palin: 2 standing Os from Republican governors

They like her. They really like her.

As The Ticket forecast yesterday, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin spoke to the Republican Governors Assn. in Miami today and its invited donors. (See news video below by clicking on the "Read more" line.)

Despite a sometimes rambling delivery, the national newcomer who electrified the party convention and base during the September convention got two standing Os today, perhaps partly as auditory appreciation for her dedication and determination during the recently completed presidential campaign that did not end well for her ticket but thrust her fresh face onto the national stage.

Palin's speech was titled, "Looking Towards the Future," which is a really good thing for the nation's 21 surviving GOP govs, a group of state chief executives including Bobby Jindal, Rick Perry, Charlie Crist, and Tim Pawlenty, who will most likely produce that party's nominee in four years.

Because "Looking Towards the Past" -- especially the "past" week -- is way too depressing for the now leaderless party.

Republican governors -- more pragmatic than dogmatic -- have been most successful at running for chief executive and for running the chief executive branch, in fact, the last eight years.

Besides former Gov. George W. Bush, think Christie Todd Whitman, Mike Leavitt, Tommy Thompson, Dirk Kempthorne, Mike Johanns, Tom Ridge, former ...

... governors all, along with Montana's Marc Racicot, who chaired the Republican National Committee and Bush's 2004 re-election.

"We are now the minority party," the 44-year-old Alaskan told the crowd. "But let us resolve not to become the negative party." Back in the 1990s when Republicans controlled 32 governorships covering some 70% of the nation's population, they earned that acceptance by being doers, settling budget disagreements with Democrats, for instance, as most states require by law, as opposed to the partisan gridlock often associated with Washington.

The Times' Mark Z. Barabak reports that the name Ronald Reagan (another GOP governor) came up often during the RGA meeting, but less so the outgoing White House occupant.

Until Palin spoke:

"In politics," she said, "people sometimes go to great lengths to avoid stating the obvious. But I think it's about time that we all remembered that the greatest measure of a president is whether he protected and defended this great country. America's 43rd president took that foremost responsibility, that most important charge, seriously. He poured his life into it.

"He succeeded in keeping America safe from another attack. I'm grateful he is my soldier-son's commander in chief, and for that I say, God bless you George W. Bush and I thank you, Mr. President."
She received prolonged applause from the audience of about 150, one of the biggest ovations, in fact, of the two days of waterfront meetings.

Barabak has more details in his story elsewhere on this site.

-- Andrew Malcolm

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Photo credit: Hans Deryk / Reuters

Comments

[Zagreb Bershekov]

Two standing O's?? Excellent. But what about multiple O's..??

[Jim-bob-bo-bob]

Two words for Palin: Go AWAY!

[nswfm]

She is a sideshow. Rambling delivery? Read a transcript of any interview. I challenge you to figure out what she's saying in that incoherent mess of words.

[Mike H]

She didn't and doesn't "electrify" anyone. It is a false media meme that we should somehow like this person and even care what she is doing now. I feel for the state of Alaska. Media criticism is lacking here. She has only taken 4 unscripted questions in any press conference up to this point. Shouldn't you be demanding answers from her, instead of fawning over her? I don't blame Palin, she wouldn't even exist without a poor performance by our national main stream media. L.A. Times, add yourselves to the list of sheep.

[downhill240]

I am amazed by the intractability of the Republican base. To put this idiot on the dais and wildly applaud her rambling, mumbling "Look towards the Future" speech (so we can forget our abismal failure in the recent past (8 years) in no way inspires me yet these fools give it two standing "O's". We are in our current mess exactly because of the failed leadership of the Republicans. Sure, they're yelling for bi-partisanship now but where was that effort when they (bush) was in control. Bush has mastered the "signing statement" to circumvent laws legally enacted by the Congress 157 times challenging over 1100 provisions of Federal law. Only 75 such statements ahd been signed up to Reagans presidency in the history of our country. The Republicans are betting on politics as usual in the future United States of Amnesia. I have news for them and all other politicians. The Internet is going to change the dynamics of politics forever. People are going to be actively and collectively participating in their government through its use.

[Zach]

Logic destroys what hopes the GOP has of running this woman in 4 years based simply on her looks.

[kelshiker]

Governor Palin NEVER rambled, UNLIKE YOU, during her speech. She provided a very clear, and brilliant direction as to how the Republican governors, and party should embrace.

[Michael]

The Republican Party is dead if she is their future, what a loser....

[steve rodriguez]

She stands for God, country, and famil!y!
What's not to like about her?

[Jill]

Sarah's actions do not match her statement of resolve not to be the negative party. That was the role she just played in the elections this month. Americans soundly rejected that message. The Republican party needs to start respecting voters, and come up with a platform and quality candidates that have true American values. What we have been provided by them in recent years is far less than even baseline role models. Bringing this closer to home in Alaska, we have a Republican senator in Palin's state that is now a convicted felon. Most of us think it inappropriate to have this individual remain in office. As a group, Republicans need to speak out and provide the leadership in removing this tarnished person from their ranks, and from membership in the Senate. Anything less shows us a very clear message that Republicans stand for a very different, and very bad ideology.

[Phil]

Sarah needs to go home and seceed from the union and become Queen.

[annette]

OK - this isn't even amusing anymore. Somebody please turn off her mike.

[Jackie]

I THINK THE WOMAN WAS A SERIOUS CASE OF ADD WITH ALL THAT GOING OFF ON A TANGIENT SYNDROME

[Bambi]

Will someone in the media or the republican party PLEASE tell this woman that "progress" is an INTRANSITIVE verb?????

[Kelly Parker]

In the first place, she only rambles when she is not reading prepared text. In the second place, it's likely WRONG to take her palaver seriously. Sarah Palin cares about Sarah Palin; it's difficult to believe anything she says is not for the sole purpose of sounding good. She's a beauty pageant contestant to the core... there is no soul. In the third place... when are the Republicans going to stop defending Bush policies? The irrational paranoia that they try to pass off as "patriotism" and "national security" has ruined our world standing, and it has infringed on our rights as Americans. I am NOT proud to be an American under these circumstances. Perhaps with real leadership to take us out of the darkness, I can be proud once again, and I won't be afraid or ashamed of showing my face outside the United States. Let's give Obama a chance...

[depaulconsiglio]

Here we are, NBC to NBC and it looks like it's already starting over again. Today, Thursday everyone is gathering and I hope that I can stand down the Republican Party one more time.
I don't know about anyone else but it's been a tough 4 year campaign.
Who know's where the time goes? God save Ronald Reagan from being called down from his Throne in Heaven to run any more campaigns like this last one.

Regards
dePaul Consiglio

Voting for America
This date November 14 2008
The101one

http://iconsiglio.blogspot.com
http://www.iconsiglio.com

aroundtheworldin88minutes
a google blog

[becky thomason]

She is the most guilty of making the republicans the "negative" party. I have never seen a more negative campaign propagating lies and fanning the flames of fear in our country. I blame Palin for much of the anti-obama hate, nooses at universities, school children chanting assassinate Obama. She played a part in all that, and now she says Republicans should not be "negative." I have serious concerns over her overall lack of education, and am more concerned that America considers her to be competent to serve in the White House. Hopefully the Republican party will transform away from its Know-Nothing folksy persona.