Palin speaks to the Tea Party in Nashville
By JR Hoeft | Sunday, February 7th, 2010 | UncategorizedFormer Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin spoke to the National Tea Party convention in Nashville, Tenn. yesterday. In her speech, she was very critical of the administration, delivered some good one-liners, and praised grassroots conservatism.
The media today will probably pick up on her phrase at the beginning of the speech that the Tea Party is part of a “revolution”, but taken in context it’s about real change in America regarding more personal responsibility, lower taxes, reduced spending, and a robust national security – what Palin called “commonsense conservatism.”
Palin also stated she will campaign in some contested primaries, and stated that these primaries are part of a “healthy process” where the best ideas and candidates should win. She also stated what they were not: a civil war. But that these primaries should remain civil.
She dismissed that she is the leader of this movement (or anyone else is, either) – stating that the Tea Party is about the people taking action regarding the government.
“The soul of this movement is the people,” said Palin.
Palin also said that the honorarium she was to receive for this event remains with the Tea Party movement.
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Conservative to the core; liberal with his opinion! J.R. has been involved in politics for over a decade and has worked on several campaigns in Hampton Roads. He has served on the Executive Committee of the Republican Party of Chesapeake and the Central Committee of the Republican Party of Virginia. He is also the director of “Blogs United” in Virginia. E-mail J.R.. Follow J.R. on Twitter.
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41 Responses to "Palin speaks to the Tea Party in Nashville"
He tone and expression really insults the Tea Party. “How’s that hopey changey stuff working out for you guys?” Excuse me, what are you, five? The movement is about Fiscal Restraint and responsible Government, and the Tea Parties are trying desperately to start educating people with little to no political knowledge. I don’t see how getting Palin up there helps the cause.
She is a political child – who has failed and quit every job she has held or been elected to and is very clearly in over her head. While many of my D friends hope that she does become the face of the GOP/ Tea Party as it would be the political end of the GOP in the short-term, I believe such a turn would be disasterous for this nation. We need the parties to work TOGETHER – not shout at each other about “death panels.” We have problems too difficult and challenges too many to allow someone to represent a movement who is more concerned with herself than she is with this country. Are there ANY leaders from the right? ANYONE?
Mark,
Sarah Palin could be as well-spoken as Cicero and you would still call her a dope. It really is not a surprise that you are negative towards her, as you are a Democrat, and just as I can make fun of Obama from time to time, you can and will make fun of Palin.
As far as her Republican criticism, lets face it, most of her GOP critics are already leaning towards another horse in 2012 and want her to look as bad as possible. Then there are regular average, everyday folks, who probably have no idea that a blogosphere even exists, these folks, who may or may not vote, have an objective view of her and tend to be more positive of what they see in her record.
She gave a good speech last night. Even Geraldo Rivera called it “powerful.”
Mark says we need the parties to work together. OH THAT’S RICH!!! His relentless Republican-bashing on here makes that statement the height of hypocrisy.
Mark is like OJ speaking out against spousal abuse.
@ Brian
They never PROVED ANYTHING!!
a fellow FoxNews giving Palin a compliment? that’s surprising.
overall, I am not a fan Palin. I’m not a fan of Obama either but atleast he actually understands what he is reading from the teleprompter and could actually articulate it in a debate. Palin reading from platitudes from index cards was pretty boring to me. Especially since the convention attendees on average probably knew a lot more about the issues than she does.
if she went to the convention to lay out any sort of vision, then she failed. if she went to the convention to be cheerleader then she succeeded.
Every-time people say she’s stupid she gets a new forum for her views. Every time people say she’s a neophyte and a nincompoop another Republican candidate asks for and gets her endorsement. She has a major network (wether or not you like Fox they are a major news network) tv studio in her home. She’s one of the most effective users of new media on the right. Her media face time just keeps growing and growing. Folks she’s the nominee in 2012 no other campaign will have the infrastructure laid down that she has / will have by then. And if Obama doesnt tack to the center like Clinton in 96 and our party leadership doesn’t loose focus after gaining the House and Senate. She damn well might be President. Look at her current campaign strategy and put it up against Bush in 2000 and Roosevelt back at the turn on the century. Take your / my opinions out of it and hold it up to history and I think you might just be surprised folks.
@Lee, that’s what scares me! I know Palin will have a lot of initial support similar to what Hilary had but I do think she will get eaten alive in the debates. perhaps that won’t matter as most people don’t pay close enough attention. regardless, I fear the day she may become president because she hasn’t given me the confidence that she would be any better than GW Bush.
Knock GW Bush all you want but we had a good run of about 7 years of growth under him. I don’t see Republican’s backing into that “Compassionate” Conservatism crap anytime soon. Really folks look back at how she ran Alaska. She’s a Iron lady. She plays very very hard ball. Get past the media driven hate on this woman and give her a clear analysis.
@ Lee Talley
Yes, do take a look at her record. It’s marked with corruption (trooper-gate), wasteful spending (Bridge to Nowhere) and quitting (Her Resignation).
trooper-gate… she was acquitted of any wrong doing
Bridge to Nowhere… it was actually bringing Jobs to Alaska so as Gov what else would her position be
Quitting. The day she left office she had a half million dollar legal bill due to Dem bloggers dropping corruption charges on her every day. Let alone those same bloggers costing the state MILLIONS in time and resources. Alaska law states that if a elected is accused of corruption / misconduct they must defend themselves out of their own pocket. Quitting allowed her to be able to pay her bills…
Trooper Gate – She was acquitted of any LEGAL wrong-doing. We come to expect our leaders to embody some sense of morality of them. Because those are the leaders that can lead not only the America written in law, but the America which stands for something more than just the law. There is no Constitutional requirement that a Congressmen, President or Senator be nice, fair, or truthful, but America stands for that, even if it isn’t written into a code of law.
Bridge to Nowhere – If Sarah Palin wants to sucker the people of 49 States to squeeze every last job she can in Alaska, then I implore her to stay out of National Politics.
Qutting – Let’s be clear, if Sarah Palin thinks that no misconduct occurred, why was she more than satisfied to leave the office of Governor? Sarah Palin has no trouble bringing in the cash.
National liberal opinion and mass psychology about Palin was effectively managed by the Democrat campaign machine through the traditional and non-traditional media outlets. “Talking points” about Palin that were generated almost two years ago, with some revisions and additions, are still being repeated in a continuing attempt to marginalize and discredit her on both a personal and political levels.
As she continues to evolve as a personality and a leader, her critics are stuck in reverse and are losing traction with their audience and constituents. She is the only leader right now on the national stage, other than the President, who can get MSNBC, CNN, FOX and other cable news outlets to cover her speech in prime time at a convention of people who were roundly discredited, marginalized, called names and insulted by the media, Congressional Democratic leaders and political pundits for the Administration.
None of the other leaders, Republican or Democrat, can get this kind of coverage because there is a “deficit of trust” as Palin said between what has become the ruling class, governing class and the people.
Palin’s critics had better keep up with her and evolve and maintain credible arguments because the old and stale talking points are quickly becoming “blah, blah, blah” noise. All of the droning, complaining and repetitive refrain against Palin is at risk of being slammed shut in a progressive talking point “lock box” which no future voter will be interested in opening.
perhaps Palin should learn to be a little more discreet when reading her cheatsheet if she is going to be covered all the networks
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stefan-sirucek/did-palin-use-crib-notes_b_452458.html
I just hope everyday that she runs in 2012!!! She is a great force in the GOP!!!
Sara, Please run…
Ok, so what… Huffington Post?? Palin wasn’t using a scripted teleprompter which has its own blog, or trying to wrap soft and glowing rhetoric around failure to manipulate our emotions. Her message at the Tea Party forum was targeted at Conservatives, not progressives, where she said that there may be little hope of compromise. Media and blog attacks on her only validate what a shrill and emotional state the progressive media, and those like you are in.
Amit is just trying to lay the groundwork for Ron Paul…and is ticked Paul can’t generate this kind of excitement and enthusiasm.
I had to work last night so I missed the speech. My dear mother who voted for president Barry O and thought Palin was stupid watched the whole thing. My mother has now joined the Tea Party Movement and wants Palin to be President of the United States in 2012. Must have been one hell of a speech. I am not sure if I want to watch it now. Like Barry O and his neo-marxist buddies, Sara Palin is starting to scare me. I like Sara Palin and want her to be part of the new Republican Administration in 2012. I would prefer someone else to be President.
Party like its 1773
OWCH… get him Jim!
Ron Paul = Old Hat
Sarah Palin is a good speaker but we don’t always agree with everything she says in her speeches. She had dinner at Molinari’s italian restaurant in Cool Springs Franklin with a bunch of big donating campaign supporters after the Tea Party event.
“Sarah Palin is a good speaker”
No, just no. Maybe it’s just my up bringing, the people I spend my time around, or something else, but her speech pattern frustrates me to know end. “You Betcha” “Hopey, Changey stuff”, these are just some of the things that annoy me about Sarah Palin. She can only preach to the choir. She has next to zero ability at persuasion. She has little ability at energizing those who aren’t already energized.
that’s funny JR. perhaps you forget that without Ron Paul these Tea Parties wouldn’t exist because he was alone in fighting for Fiscal Responsibility in the GOP while McCain/Palin were suspending their campaign to ensure the bailout passed.
having met RP several times, I know he is a simple and humble man that has more IQ and understanding of the Constitution in his pinky toe than Palin could hope to learn in a lifetime. Palin is the woman who could not name a single newspaper when asked where she gets her daily news from. if anyone truly believes she is fit to lead our nation then they probably also believe I could take the Redskins to the Superbowl.
Amit – you should put together a panel of investors for the ‘Skins…I have faith in you. You certainly couldn’t do worse than Snyder.
Also…you’re kind of right about Paul’s knowledge and humility, but I’m not sure he can take ownership of this Tea Party movement. You know I jest about you and laying the groundwork for RP in 2012, sort of.
@JR, Ron Paul doesn’t want ownership of the Tea Party. he has always said that if the r3VOLution ends with him then he has failed. that is why he started Campaign for Liberty, not for himself but for us.
I don’t think RP will run in 2012 perhaps throwing support behind Gary Johnson of NM.
true, I probably couldn’t do any worse than Snyder but that greedy jerk wouldn’t sell his team for more than a 50% profit
@Venu, I agree 100%. I have not once seen her in an interview actually articulate any sort of argument/solution/comprehensive understanding of the problem. I feel like I am back in elementary school when I hear her talk down to us by using those insincere “folksy” sayings and stating the obvious.
Amit,
Think to past candidates and campaigns. Candidates usually do not articulate point for point solutions at the beginning. It tends to start with platitudes. Go back and see what Hillary Clinton was talking about in 2006 and you will see what I mean.
As far as her speech pattern, some historians believe that Lincoln had a similar cadence. Just sayin.
If all of Hillary and Obama’s “ooo..” “um…” and “uhs…” were included in their transcripts, then they would look like out league candidates that flunked speech in college. Palin’s accent is often exaggerated and if she enters a Presidential campaign her staff will work to better hone her presentation. All potential candidates are not as polished now as they will be later, just watch Pawlenty or Romney and my point remains valid. Also, if you listen to Romney or Pawlenty…have they presented specifics?
If you question whether or not Sarah Palin can put together specific proposals and solutions, just look at her record as governor. She cut taxes and spending and secured a major energy pipeline deal. If and when she runs for President, she will have a list of accomplishments to run on.
@Osborne, speaking on the campaign trail is one thing but speaking at a specific group of motivated people concerned about the federal debt is another. never listened to one of Lincoln’s speeches but on a different day we can argue how effective his presidency was.
bottomline, when I look at Alaska, I see a state that is rich in natural resources, has fewer people than the District of Columbia, and receives $1.84 for every $1.00 they send to DC. I don’t think being the governor of this state for 2.5 years is a great resume builder.
Well I mean she wasn’t a community organizer but I think she could make the stretch.
@ Lee
I do think Obama was inexperienced, but his leaping stone to the presidency was the United States Senate. Palin’s would be the Governor of the lest populated State for less than 3/4 of her elected term.
Palin has you all fooled. There has been no single figure in recent history, other than Cheney, who can draw the progressive fools out of their lairs to spout their psycho babble and hate.
The progressive media and blogs have defined Palin as a leader, because they need a figurehead to attack. The beauty of the Tea Party is that it is a moving target consisting of conservative groups who are bound together by some fundamental beliefs, not a leader. They can’t deal with the loose coalition of the Tea Party, because there is nothing to get their teeth into.
Palin has said and written that it isn’t about her. Palin’s function and also Beck’s, as both have admitted, is to provoke and flush die hard progressives out so that conservative candidates will have strong and fundamental contrasts with incumbents, whether they are Democrat or Republican. She has provoked them using Facebook, speeches, and in her address last night, she went on a sustained attack. Who else can do this right now? Conservative and Republican leaders are limited to one minute sound bites on Fox, and that’s about it.
As a conservative, to believe the Progressive media and allow them to define Palin as a “leader”, “candidate”, or prognosticate about her political future is to give them control of the message by how they define the messenger. I hope we are a little smarter than letting some progressive blog or mainstream news outlet do our thinking and formulate our opinions.
Palin is an incredible resource, and Conservatives should recognize her unique ability to define and move Progressives back into their lairs for another 50 years.
Tim J,
Forgive me if my politics isn’t about bashing the other side more than actually adopting better policy and having someone to lead the country together forward into a better tomorrow.
Palin’s critics still have yet to dispute the fact that Palin was not an effective governor. I have presented specific points, including her securing the largest energy project in North America today, and yet we continue to hear the line that she was a second rate governor. Not one of her critics, either on the left or right, can dispute the fact that she was an effective governor of Alaska, if one is to call her an ineffective leader, then evidence must be provided.
If one is to say that she is not a person of substance, than show me in her record where that is true.
However, don’t expect us to believe that a woman who unseated an incumbent Republican governor in a primary and then went on to defeat a former Democratic governor in a race that the NYT described as a toss up, and then went on to be an effective governor according to Alaskans, is somehow an ineffective candidate and leader.
If you disagree with her ideologically as Amit does, then fine, lets debate her potential candidacy on those grounds. However, it shows a lack of class to attack someones intelligence without providing any real evidence to prove one’s point.
In my last comment make that,
“Palin’s critics still have yet to dispute the fact that Palin was an effective governor.”
I think Palin’s interview with Couric (who isn’t even a great interviewer) says it all about her experience and intelligence. as far as her record as governor, not sure she was there long enough to have a real record
1. I’ve read Cicero – he wasn’t a moron. So, Palin’s no Cicero. (That said, he did initially support Caesar’s dictatorship… hmmmmm. That’s something to ponder.)
2. Yes I bash the current incarnation of the GOP – this was the party after all which gave us the idiotic activist Roberts/ Alito court and their democracy-destroying ruling on free speech for corporations.
Furthermore, I will continue to bash the GOP out of a sense of guilt for having once supported a party which has become nothing more than the worst element of radical right-wing extremists that were once relegated to the fringes of the party.
Palin was an effective governor? The only thing she did effectively was quit – something which cost the taxpayers of Alaska more than $300,000 in costs to reconvine the Alaska legislature to move the lieutenant governor into the governor’s role. Heck, she should be compelled to pay for that out of her $100,000 speaking fees – if her PAC wasn’t so busy buying her book (per reports on CNN the greatest expenditure of her PAC money has been to buy her own book).
@ Steven
I’ve stated that I don’t think she was a second rate Governor because of her policy, she was a second rate Governor because of her ethics (or lack thereof).
I don’t think the GOP must be the party of morality in that the GOP should legislate morality, but the party’s leaders must have some form of personal sense of morality.
Wow, comparing Palin to a philosopher and statesman of ancient Rome, and then the rabid attacks on her nonexistent, virtual carcass by liberal/Democrat hyenas. Palin is using her hunting instincts to flush out the weak, lonley, stressed, and desparate among them, and they couldn’t be more cooperative.
FYI – nice to have learned that Palin’s hand is smarter than she is! (What ADULT writes notes on her HAND before an interview??????? Is this really the best the GOP can come up with!?!? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!)
@ Mark,
No, it’s not the best the GOP can come up with. It’s one of the worst. Don’t judge a party by it’s fringe.
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