Ron Paul and Sarah Palin: Contrasting Visions for America's Future

- by Lisa Graas
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Ron Paul has revealed his assessment of the tea party movement to Politico. He notes that it is "unpredictable" and that, according to Politico's analysis, "the tea party movement is not likely to revive the Republican Party." Paul is quoted as saying,

" I don't even see them as being Republicans."

Herein lies strong evidence of what I would argue is the primary difference between Sarah Palin and Ron Paul. One is a leader and the other is satisfied with a back seat.

Paul is, quite predictably, offering us his traditionally pessimistic view which will certainly resonate with his characteristically cynical base and thereby discourage them from involvement in the Republican Party any further than may be deemed necessary to advance his personally-defined agenda. In this, he gives us a clear signal that his wish is to continue to be what he has ever been -- a cynical voice for a correspondingly cynical faction that will never rise above any point beyond his cult of personality.

Paul is correct in saying that the tea party movement is unpredictable. Because it is unpredictable, there is a phenomenal opportunity now for true leaders to emerge at the state and national level. Ron Paul has now clearly failed the leadership test in rejecting the notion outright that the tea party movement is made up of people who could be called "Republicans".

Sarah Palin, to the contrary, with her characteristic optimism, continually points to the Republican Party platform as the common agenda worth fighting for. I argue, this is unquestionably a mark of effective leadership.

What does a leader do? A leader gives voice to a broad coalition of people who can agree to share a common agenda (e.g., a party platform). A leader presents this common agenda as a solution, calling for assistance from those who are inspired and empowered by that call. These empowered people then work together and move forward with a shared vision to establish the common agenda and to bring about actual results. The more common the agenda, the more likely results will occur.

While the Republican Party platform is always subject to change, it has remained generally the same for many years and has brought proven results. Some may argue otherwise, but it is reasonable to say that the only "Republican" things about the Republican Party today are its platform and those who value it. The common acronym used within the tea party movement -- "RINO" (Republican In Name Only) -- is universally known to apply to those who do not fight for the planks in the platform. It is appropriate to say, then, that Ron Paul himself is a "RINO" as he does not embrace the party platform. To be sure, the only voice continually promoting the platform at every opportunity is that of Sarah Palin. In this alone, she is establishing herself solidly as the antidote to RINO-ism.

Ron Paul, ostensibly to "reform" the party, has achieved little more, over the years, than successfully impeding the fulfillment of the Republican Party's efforts to advance its common agenda - its platform.

True leadership does not live where there is satisfaction with taking a back seat, nor does it occur within pessimism and divisiveness. A true leader would never think to say,

"I don't even see them as being Republicans."

With these words, Paul has forsaken the opportunity to lead anything more than the same obstructive faction, albeit with some new faces, that he has been consistently leading for many years. We can all now settle into the fact that Paul is quite uncomfortable with the idea of taking on the role of a true and effective Republican leader. He proves it with his remarks.

Sarah Palin, unlike Ron Paul, will be successful in rising above any currently perceived confines that some attribute to a "cult of personality". In leading the tea party movement with a clear agenda that has a long record of proven results, Sarah Palin, like Reagan before her, may very well prove to be the personification of Republicanism for the next generation. Ron Paul will just continue to be Ron Paul.

- Lisa

Lisa Graas is editor of the Palin Twibe Blog and several other websites. She is a regular contributor to Texas for Sarah Palin.