Paul Bedard, the Washington Whispers blogmeister for US News, after observing that the town hall revolt is a revolution without a leader, polled twelve GOP and conservative leaders looking for a consensus standard bearer for the popular movement. Their top ten list:"First, Rep. Ron Paul, popular among the town hallers. Then, Sarah Palin, whose 2008 crowds cheered her antitax message. Third, Newt Gingrich, the father of the 1994 conservative revolution. Next, populist Mike Huckabee. And fifth, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, said to be the family's passionate conservative."While Rep. Paul certainly has a large and dedicated following, we've noticed that not all conservatives see eye-to-eye with the Texas libertarian on social and defense issues. Governor Palin, on the other hand, seems to appeal to most conservatives as well as to a surprising number of libertarians who have studied her record. She's not the theocrat that the leftists would have us believe she is.
"The rest: South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint; Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour; Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal; House GOP Whip Eric Cantor; and Pennsylvania Senate hopeful Pat Toomey."
Did Bedard find anything else noteworthy in his informal survey of Republican and conservative leaders? You betcha:
"Note who's missing: Mitt Romney. The GOP analysts say that's because conservatives are wary of his program to reform healthcare in Massachusetts that some say resembles universal healthcare."- JP
Thanks for the info, JP.
ReplyDeleteAnd don't forget the poll in the right sidebar at the WW site, "who's best suited to lead the grassroots movement?" Thompson, Palin, Romney, or Huckabee
Palin currently winning with 51% of the vote.
But more votes can never hurt ... ;)