Is Palin causing a schism in the GOP?

[fantASTic]

Originally Posted by AGDee

To the original question, many of the political shows this weekend addressed the schism in the party as have several articles in the news. I don't think Palin is causing the schism. I think it's being highlighted because of the combined ticket. When a lot of independents and moderate Democrats wanted McCain in 2000, the Republican party really wanted Bush and therefore, they got Bush. I think McCain would have won easily in 2000. Instead of embracing the fact that many declared Democrats voted for McCain in primaries (like in Michigan), they accused those Dems of trying to throw the race by voting for someone who couldn't win. They never considered that those Dems would have really voted for him. The schism has been there, it's just growing. This year, the Republicans seem to be realizing that the extreme conservative right is not the popular opinion and they need to move to a more moderate stance to get the independents and the "Reagan Democrats" that they talked so much about in 2000, but couldn't win over.

It's the same basic issue that the Democrats have had in the previous elections. If Bush hadn't done so miserably in the past 4 years, I'm not sure the Dems would be doing as well as they are now.

ETA: They've already predicted on Meet the Press that the economy has nowhere to go but up so whoever wins would be able to claim that success.

I think you're from MI too, aren't you?

I actually know many people who voted for Romney just to split the ticket so that it would be harder to pick a candidate, since Obama wasn't on the ticket. I was not one of them...but I know many.

My biggest problem with Palin rests in the fact that for absolutely no reason, people seem to think she's some sort of ideal role model for women my age. Sorry - I'm not inspired by someone who refused to pay for rape kits because they provided emergency contraception. And to call her a "role model for all women" during a debate is generalizing and insulting, Sen. McCain, because I agree with those above who says she is not particularly bright.

UGAalum94: Do you really think Palin has charisma? She's been slammed in the media for such stints as winking at the public during debates (what a dreadful move, Palin...), her terrible interviews with a variety of people and her lack of an ability to think on her feet. When has she ever shown any serious charisma??

[AGDee]

Yes, I'm from MI. She's no role model of mine! I almost voted in the Republican primary since Obama wasn't on the ticket for the Dems. I would have voted for McCain if I'd gone that route. McCain didn't scare me as a candidate until he picked Palin for his ticket.

[fantASTic]

Originally Posted by AGDee

Yes, I'm from MI. She's no role model of mine! I almost voted in the Republican primary since Obama wasn't on the ticket for the Dems. I would have voted for McCain if I'd gone that route. McCain didn't scare me as a candidate until he picked Palin for his ticket.

Agreed.

Before he picked Palin, I had said that if he won it wouldn't be the end of the world.

Now...

Not so sure on that one. I'd be pretty upset. Because I can't stand her, and the chances of her becoming president are fairly high considering McCain's age and health history.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by fantASTic

I think you're from MI too, aren't you?

I actually know many people who voted for Romney just to split the ticket so that it would be harder to pick a candidate, since Obama wasn't on the ticket. I was not one of them...but I know many.

My biggest problem with Palin rests in the fact that for absolutely no reason, people seem to think she's some sort of ideal role model for women my age. Sorry - I'm not inspired by someone who refused to pay for rape kits because they provided emergency contraception. And to call her a "role model for all women" during a debate is generalizing and insulting, Sen. McCain, because I agree with those above who says she is not particularly bright.

UGAalum94: Do you really think Palin has charisma? She's been slammed in the media for such stints as winking at the public during debates (what a dreadful move, Palin...), her terrible interviews with a variety of people and her lack of an ability to think on her feet. When has she ever shown any serious charisma??

Can you provide evidence of the bolded part? Not that a policy of trying to recoup the cost of rape kits from the victim's insurance existed, but that particular motivation for it. I can see the claim in google results, but I can't see anyone tying this particular motivation to anything Palin said or did. (Interestingly to me too, one can't seem to find any rape victims who were actually billed.)

People who have heard Palin in person find her appealing and dynamic. I think she has charisma, but apparently it's in the eye of the beholder. As I've said several times before, I like her.

ETA: For the record, I don't think charging victims or their insurance companies was good policy (insurance companies bother me a lot less; the cost is going to get spread around either way. Would you rather it be picked up by insurance or tax dollars?), but I think it was an attempt by the police chief to protect his funding, rather than a desire by Palin to prohibit emergency contraception. And I don't think anyone, and I believe people looked pretty hard, could turn up any action or commentary from Palin about the policy. I acknowledge that as mayor, she should have done better.

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

People who have heard Palin in person find her appealing and dynamic. I think she has charisma, but apparently it's in the eye of the beholder. As I've said several times before, I like her.

I find Mrs. Palin to be highly charismatic, and if she was on one of my boards or on the PTA with her, I'd think she was fantastic and wouldn't mind having a beer to her. I do not, however, find her qualified for any federal executive office.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

People who have heard Palin in person find her appealing and dynamic. I think she has charisma, but apparently it's in the eye of the beholder. As I've said several times before, I like her.

That's true, and I think that when prepared she's a good public speaker. But, so is Mike Huckabee (who is an excellent public speaker), and I don't want him anywhere near my party's nomination.