Huckabee: On Palin, Pro-life issues

The more people see clips like this, the better his chances in 2012.

Huckabee on Palin

Governor Mike Huckabee was very positive, thoughtful and gracious in his assessment of Sarah Palin and her decision to resign. In the second section, he notes some of the things he and Palin have in common on the issues.

I think she has hurt her chances for 2012, and maybe for good. But then, after Nixon's press conference after the 1962 governor's race, who could have predicted he'd win in 1968?

I think some of Palin's supporters might give Huckabee a look now.

Sarah Palin in Auburn

The Good-Looking-One and I ventured down to Auburn to see Alaska Governor Sarah Palin there for Founder's Day.

The celebration marks Alaska's 50th anniversary as a state. Secretary of State William Seward of Auburn was the person who agitated for the purchase of Alaska from Russia back in 1868.

We got there just in time to catch Palin (with Todd and Willow) pass by in the parade.

Then we got to see her speak at city hall. There were a number of "McCain/Palin" and "Palin in 2012" signs. My favorite was one suggesting that New York trade governors with Alaska.

There were also a few anti-Palin signs from animal rights people, and a couple of Obama supporters. That's part of living in a democracy!

Amid occasional cheers of "Sarah" and "Run Sarah Run," she delivered a cookie cutter speech. It was a Founder's Day Celebration for Auburn, not a political rally, so her remarks were appropriate for the event.

Palin got the key to the city, which she showed to Todd.

Lots of people there, many obviously there to see her. She'd also been in town a couple of days, so she did a lot of visiting to places like the Women's Rights Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls and the Harriet Tubman House in Auburn. Pressing the flesh. Making contacts.

Overall, a good move on her part politically. Upstate New York has the potential to be a Palin stronghold in 2012.

The Good-Looking-One, who is not a Palin fan, was motivated to join me because it meant a road trip - something she loves - and because it was a way to spend time with me (maybe working on a plenary indulgence?). I might have to go to a Hillary rally some day in compensation. (Sigh.) There was also the promise of a stop at the Montezuma Winery on the way back (several bottles were purchased - including some mead).

But she did say that she'd rather have Palin as our governor than David Paterson, who has cut funding for vet programs among his other missteps. She also noted that Palin is in remarkable shape for a woman who has several kids, and is very attractive, as, she added, is Todd.

Hmm. I might convert her yet!

A fun trip. Now I've seen Palin. Who know what will happen between now and 2012.

Palin in Auburn Details

The itinerary is out for Governor Sarah Palin's visit to Auburn Saturday.

At 11 a.m there will be a parade, with her waving that little campaign wave. From noon to 1 there will be speeches, including one by Palin. Then from 1-3 there will be a garden party with Palin at the Seward House Museum.

I still plan to go. I'll give her my campaign wave. I'll be good and not wear one of my Huckabee buttons.

Don't know if I'll hang out for the garden party. I'm not much for small talk.

Besides, there's mead for sale over at the Montezuma Winery!

I voted for McCain/Palin - in part because she was on the ticket, and in part because I feared what Obama was going to do (he hasn't proven me wrong yet!).

I will consider her in 2012, especially if Huckabee does not run. I think she needs more seasoning, but given the likely alternative on the Democratic ticket, I'd willingly vote for her again. I'd even consider registering as a Republican to vote for her in a GOP primary as I did to vote for Huckabee in 2008. (Independent now as the Right to Life Party is no longer an official party in New York.)

Maybe I'll get a "Nobama" sign and ask her to sign it. It's my wife's birthday on Monday and ...

Palin in Auburn

Well, looks like Governor Palin will be coming to Auburn June 6.

No times announced yet, but I plan to be there.

When I mentioned it, my wife (a Hillarite who voted for Obama!?) basically asked why I wanted to go.

Hmm. It could have something to do with that McCain/Palin sign that used to be on our lawn.

I asked if she wanted to come with me.

She said if she did she might bring a Hillary sign.

Sigh.

I don't know if Palin will run in 2012 - and I'd support Huckabee first - but it would be interesting just to see her in person and to hear if she has anything new to say. And she'd get my support over Romney or Giuliani (and, of course, Obama).

As a bonus after hearing her, on the way home I can pick up some mead at the Montezuma Winery.

Ahh.

Palin wandering our way?

There's a report that Governor Sarah Palin might be coming to the Rochester area June 6.

She has been invited to take part in Founder's Day in Auburn in honor of Secretary of State William Seward. He's the one who arranged for the purchase of Alaska back in 1867 - it became known as "Seward's Folly."

Apparently she is seriously considering it.

It's a Saturday, which means I could go - depending on what is happening there. If there's some sort of public ceremony, I'll be there.

I might be voting for her again in a few years!

Bigoted comment about Palin

Florida Democratic Congressman Alcee Hastings, in trying to rally Jewish people to Obama's cause: "If Sarah Palin isn’t enough of a reason for you to get over whatever your problem is with Barack Obama, then you damn well had better pay attention. Anybody toting guns and stripping moose don’t care too much about what they do with Jews and blacks. So, you just think this through."

Pro-abortion gangs target Palin

I hadn't planned to write about Palin, but spotted this little news item:

"... Three major advocates of abortion rights are planning to spend nearly $30 million to defeat John McCain's run for president, citing his new running mate as the core reason, The Hill reports.

NARAL Pro-Choice America, Planned Parenthood and EMILY's List plan to spend $30 million, combined, to defeat McCain's presidential run, citing his anti-abortion running mate as the main reason. ..." http://news.aol.com/political-machine/2008/09/05/abortion-rights-groups-target-palin/?icid=200100397x1208663456x1200482026

They really are scared!

Meanwhile, various networks - such as the Obama Fan Club at MSNBC - have been fighting back trying to counter charges that they have been biased in their coverage of Palin. It's been fun watching them get flustered and angry, and caught again and again. The Buchanan/Matthews exchange was priceless. But my favorite moment was when Chris Matthews was questioning a Democratic operative and his convoluted and lengthy question was such an obvious attempt to frame the response that even Matthews recognized it and quipped that he was doing the Democratic operative's job! Yes Chris, you were, and you have been.

Palin at the Catholic shop

Not to turn this into a Sarah Palin fan club site (she's Number 22 above, a point guard who would lead her team to the state championship), but I was out at the Catholic shop in Spencerport (a nearby suburb) this afternoon, and Palin was the hot topic of conversation. They were all excited (though disappointed when it was pointed out she's not Catholic - someone then quipped, "She's more Catholic than Biden" to appreciative laughter) A couple of them noted that they would now enthusiastically vote for the McCain ticket. I wonder how many conversations like that are going on among orthodox Catholics out there?

I also went on to a couple of Hillary (and PUMA) sites earlier today. There was a lot of back and forth, but the overwhelming sentiment of the people posting at that point was that they would vote for McCain/Palin just because of Palin being on the ticket - even if she is so pro-life.

Let's see ... there were 18,000,000 Hillary supporters. If only 1 percent of them note vote for McCain, that's 180,000 - enough to tip the balance in several close states.

At the Mike Huckabee sites, a number of former Huckabee supporters are also now saying they will vote McCain (even though disappointed Huckabee did not get the VP nod.) That's a few thousand more votes - and who knows how many Evangelicals in general are hopping on board.

Pawlenty - yawn. How about Palin?

The scuttlebutt for the last couple of days is that John McCain has picked Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty as his running mate - a choice I think would be a mistake. (Pro-life, but dull, not popular in his state, the bridge collapse issue that could be thrown in his face.)


But the latest buzz is Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. Think of the spark such a choice would provide for the campaign - it would knock Obama out of the headlines.


She's staunchly pro-life and a reformer, young (44), energetic (hunts and fishes, runs marathons), athletic (led her high school basketball team to the state championship), and attractive (even won a beauty contest!). Her husband is a champion snowmobile racer who is part Native American. They have five children,
the latest born just this year with Down Syndrome. Her oldest son is in the Army and will be deployed to Iraq in September. I think this family can match up to the Obamas in the all-important "cute kids/nice-looking family" competition. The son in Iraq would trump Biden's son being deployed.


The only knocks appear to be a couple of ethical probes that actually may be politically motivated by foes trying to hit back at her for some of her actions to out corruption. Even if untrue, the media might focus on that. In addition, she has little experience (a charge the GOP has certainly aimed at Obama), and might be attacked for that. And in choosing a woman, McCain might be accused of pandering or trying to go after the Hillary voters.

We'll know later this morning. Maybe.

[UPDATE: There are news reports that neither Pawlenty nor Romney will be the VP choice, and that a private plane flew from Alaska to Dayton, where McCain is expected to announce his VP choice. Hmmm.]

UPDATE: News sources are confirming it's Palin. Wow. That's knocked Obama out of the spotlight. Even the Obama Fan Club at MSNBC has been forced to talk about her.