The Roadmap Back for 2012
OK folks, I'm going to leave you something to chew on over the weekend. At first blush you're going to scoff and say "Holy bloody conventional wisdom DB, get real!" but you must walk through this with me carefully, the nuance and the power of this prescription is there.
I am going to proceed on the assumption that the unravelling that I mapped out continues exactly as I laid it out. In addition, I am going to gloss over 2010. Don't get me wrong, these mid-term elections are critically important if we are to take back our country from the liberal fascists, but in the best case, all we can do is neuter the Obama presidency (again, don't get me wrong, we need to do just that - "may his days be few, and another take his place"). We must, however, look to 2012 to fully reclaim the ability to preserve our liberties and our free market system, which together are the treasure of world history.
So, I'll cut right to the chase. Here is the Republican ticket for 2012: Romney/Palin.
Now here is where you have to stick with me. I know this looks dreadfully like the typical paradigm of smashing together two front-running names into an inartfully designed ticket. I think this, however, is an incredibly artfully designed ticket if it is done right. In this case the "how" and the "why" are as important as the "who." First, the why of the who. In my opinion the fundamental need that the nation is going address in 2012, the distilled essence of the presidential contest will be this: "we need someone who knows what the f**k they are doing" (indulge me the cheeky phraseology, but I think it is appropriate to drive home the point). This is especially true as it pertains to the economy. The nation will need a leader with the deepest possible understanding of how the economy works and the ability animate our business leaders, optimize our institutions, and liberate our entrepreneurs to drive our economy into robust growth. Romney has these credentials in spades, from his business success to his contribution to the SLC Olympics, no one comes close in meeting the nation's need for compentent economic leadership. However, Romney's biggest defect as a candidate is that he is not the force that will make the electorate go from disliking today's Democrats to liking today's Republicans. Mitt Romney will not be the one to implant the soul that is lacking into the Republican Party. Sarah Palin is the exact mirror image of Romney. She possesses the raw power of connection with the American people, she is seen as a rare politician driven by principal first and foremost. The Tea Party movement stands out there, outside the wire so to speak of our modern politics, as a ready-made soul - a movement ready throw its potentially decisive weight behind a serious effort to return our government to principled, responsible, and above all else, modest stewardship. I know of no other politician better positioned to command the trust of the Tea Party movement and harness its power. Clearly, however, Palin does not satisfy the overarching need to have as our executive leader someone who knows "what the f**k they are doing." Mitt Romney must provide the preparedness to lead, and Sarah Palin must provide the soul, the trust that principle is the guiding light of policy. But they must unite early, and tell America, "This is the team". The typical paradigm of US presidential campaigns - a candidate announces and the gravitational pull of possible success draws partners, endorsers, and supporters into the campaign over time - needs to be abandoned. Despite falling to Earth, no one is going to beat Obama on gravitational pull. Even if Obama is incredibly weak, the individual centric model should not be repeated as it is a reminder of Obama's victory in 2008. The Republicans need to break from the paradigm and adopt the team approach. Romney and Palin need to get together early, before everything, and unite as a pre-packaged ticket.
Next, Romney and Palin need to craft a pre-packaged cabinet. No more of this "elect me and I'll appoint some folks" paradigm. Assemble an unassailable cabinet of distinguished and committed team members before the election. Say exactly who will be the Treasury Secretary, the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of Defense (hint: David Petreaus) etc. right from the start. Avoid the unknown, we ventured into the unknown in 2008 and the Romney/Palin ticket should stand 180 degrees apart from that. Give the American people the vision that the cavalry is indeed riding over the hill. It'll be a welcome notion to a weary nation.
So there is my roadmap back for 2012, from this early stage and all else being equal. I know alot can change and I know the players seem like conventional choices, but those choices are in the arena for a reason and they each have their appeal and drawbacks. Conservatives and libertarians seem to be constantly asking and searching in vain for "the next Reagan." Why does the next Reagan, if even that is what is desired (I'd say something close ought to be desired but why limit the future by the past), have to be just one person? Let's break out of our tired old paradigms, stop looking for the next Reagan, and instead, raise the banners of individualism, free markets, and limited government and ride 'em over the hill with one hell of a big bad-ass cavalry led by a Romney/Palin ticket.
UPDATE: I'm already picking up from comments elsewhere that those who like the overall logic here still don't like Romney as the head of the ticket, especially because of his healthcare baggage. I addressed that baggage here, here and here during the 2008 campaign (full disclosure, I was a Rudy guy back then).
I am going to proceed on the assumption that the unravelling that I mapped out continues exactly as I laid it out. In addition, I am going to gloss over 2010. Don't get me wrong, these mid-term elections are critically important if we are to take back our country from the liberal fascists, but in the best case, all we can do is neuter the Obama presidency (again, don't get me wrong, we need to do just that - "may his days be few, and another take his place"). We must, however, look to 2012 to fully reclaim the ability to preserve our liberties and our free market system, which together are the treasure of world history.
So, I'll cut right to the chase. Here is the Republican ticket for 2012: Romney/Palin.
Now here is where you have to stick with me. I know this looks dreadfully like the typical paradigm of smashing together two front-running names into an inartfully designed ticket. I think this, however, is an incredibly artfully designed ticket if it is done right. In this case the "how" and the "why" are as important as the "who." First, the why of the who. In my opinion the fundamental need that the nation is going address in 2012, the distilled essence of the presidential contest will be this: "we need someone who knows what the f**k they are doing" (indulge me the cheeky phraseology, but I think it is appropriate to drive home the point). This is especially true as it pertains to the economy. The nation will need a leader with the deepest possible understanding of how the economy works and the ability animate our business leaders, optimize our institutions, and liberate our entrepreneurs to drive our economy into robust growth. Romney has these credentials in spades, from his business success to his contribution to the SLC Olympics, no one comes close in meeting the nation's need for compentent economic leadership. However, Romney's biggest defect as a candidate is that he is not the force that will make the electorate go from disliking today's Democrats to liking today's Republicans. Mitt Romney will not be the one to implant the soul that is lacking into the Republican Party. Sarah Palin is the exact mirror image of Romney. She possesses the raw power of connection with the American people, she is seen as a rare politician driven by principal first and foremost. The Tea Party movement stands out there, outside the wire so to speak of our modern politics, as a ready-made soul - a movement ready throw its potentially decisive weight behind a serious effort to return our government to principled, responsible, and above all else, modest stewardship. I know of no other politician better positioned to command the trust of the Tea Party movement and harness its power. Clearly, however, Palin does not satisfy the overarching need to have as our executive leader someone who knows "what the f**k they are doing." Mitt Romney must provide the preparedness to lead, and Sarah Palin must provide the soul, the trust that principle is the guiding light of policy. But they must unite early, and tell America, "This is the team". The typical paradigm of US presidential campaigns - a candidate announces and the gravitational pull of possible success draws partners, endorsers, and supporters into the campaign over time - needs to be abandoned. Despite falling to Earth, no one is going to beat Obama on gravitational pull. Even if Obama is incredibly weak, the individual centric model should not be repeated as it is a reminder of Obama's victory in 2008. The Republicans need to break from the paradigm and adopt the team approach. Romney and Palin need to get together early, before everything, and unite as a pre-packaged ticket.
Next, Romney and Palin need to craft a pre-packaged cabinet. No more of this "elect me and I'll appoint some folks" paradigm. Assemble an unassailable cabinet of distinguished and committed team members before the election. Say exactly who will be the Treasury Secretary, the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of Defense (hint: David Petreaus) etc. right from the start. Avoid the unknown, we ventured into the unknown in 2008 and the Romney/Palin ticket should stand 180 degrees apart from that. Give the American people the vision that the cavalry is indeed riding over the hill. It'll be a welcome notion to a weary nation.
So there is my roadmap back for 2012, from this early stage and all else being equal. I know alot can change and I know the players seem like conventional choices, but those choices are in the arena for a reason and they each have their appeal and drawbacks. Conservatives and libertarians seem to be constantly asking and searching in vain for "the next Reagan." Why does the next Reagan, if even that is what is desired (I'd say something close ought to be desired but why limit the future by the past), have to be just one person? Let's break out of our tired old paradigms, stop looking for the next Reagan, and instead, raise the banners of individualism, free markets, and limited government and ride 'em over the hill with one hell of a big bad-ass cavalry led by a Romney/Palin ticket.
UPDATE: I'm already picking up from comments elsewhere that those who like the overall logic here still don't like Romney as the head of the ticket, especially because of his healthcare baggage. I addressed that baggage here, here and here during the 2008 campaign (full disclosure, I was a Rudy guy back then).
posted by Donny Baseball at 1:10 PM
3 Comments:
I've spent much of the weekend considering your suggestion, bearing in mind that the "how" and the "why" really are as important as the "who". If this is handled as you suggest, complete with (eventually) pre-selected cabinet officers of unassailable pedigree and experience, this is a plan that could almost surely return not just the White House, but the House and the Senate back to GOP control.
Look for the endorsement and referral later today.
Thanks, I appreciate it. Surely I will get some comments from folks that think this is idiotic and that a plan like this never happens for a reason and will never work. To me, these are the same insider political consultant types that have done such a great job for the GOP in years past. I say, let's toss the advice of the "pros" the hell overboard.
"Insider" political types? Hmmm. I believe I've seen that word used earlier today somewhere.
As noted, the timing of this would be critical, and all involved, including major cabinet chiefs would be in for a steady barrage of hate from the Left. But if things continue more or less as they have, there's a growing chance that Obama would face some real competition from within for his renomination, which would certainly make your idea all the more credible.
BTW, I posted your URL in the comments section of Romney's PAC website. Can't hurt.
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