Me and Sarah Palin

This week I have found that many conservatives changed the rules for being a conservative...without telling me. With the resignation of Sarah Palin as Governor of Alaska, an apparently large segment of those identifying themselves as right wingers have decided that you either love Sarah, or you're a damnable moderate RINO. Well, I take offense. I'm decidedly conservative, and I don't think Palin has what it takes to compete right now. And I'm not willing to jump on the bandwagon of whoever the "majority" of conservatives tell me to.

This has caused me some stress when dealing with my many Republican friends. I understand that Palin won many fans during the 2008 election season. She certainly worked hard to get McCain elected and it's hard to pin their loss on her. She has rabid fans on FaceBook, Twitter, MySpace and other social networking sites. She appeals to a wide swath of the electorate that see an underdog, who, like them, is fighting "the man." I would even say that I myself would like to see her prepare for a presidential run...someday. But, seriously, not 2012.

Listening to Palin make speeches reminds me of a grade school principal rallying her students to be the "bestest" they can be. She could be Sally Fields winning her Academy Award, and then saying "you like me...you really like me!" So, yes, we like you, Sarah. But you're still not ready to lead the nation. However, I think there's hope for you.

I take alot of flak for this opinion, but I really think that Republicans in 2012 must be very careful when choosing their candidate. I realize that Palin would win any popularity contest right now. But serious times require serious candidates, and Palin just isn't. We have an opportunity to stop the Obama agenda in it's tracks. But we can only win with a candidate that can articulate our vision for the country in clear and forceful tones. No happy-go-lucky platitudes will get it done in 2012.

I wish I could give credit to whoever wrote this earlier in the week. They laid out a plan for Palin to consider if she wants to seek the presidency, and I think it's right on target. It goes like this...

In 2010, Alaska's only House seat is open. Run for it. Work hard and get a grasp on national issues. Formulate opinions and action plans. Then, in 2016, go for the Senate seat of Alaska's Democrat Senator Begich. Continue to learn and gain some more experience in world affairs. this would prepare you to run for president in 2020. Sounds like a long time, but it's really not. You will only be 56 years old and will have a better and rounder understanding of what the nation and world needs.

So I'm certainly not hoping Sarah Palin disappears. But I am hoping she moves forward cautiously and puts "country first." Show me you're serious and work for it, Sarah, don't just expect it. This will certainly mean swallowing your pride and perhaps working to elect others who can keep the seat warm for you. And I'm all for that.