*
Rico Rhodes, at OpEdNews:
“A patriot like Sarah Palin knows the national political stage is set for a patient pragmatist. And in about five years President Palin will be rewarded.”- JP
“A patriot like Sarah Palin knows the national political stage is set for a patient pragmatist. And in about five years President Palin will be rewarded.”- JP
“Time heals all wounds, and though I still believe she would make an outstanding President of this great nation, I also believe we need her to be removed as a target, and [we should] fight with her to help change Washington as equal citizens.”- JP
Sarah Palin’s most passionate supporters held an online forum today to assess what they should do going forward, now that the former Alaska governor has announced she won’t enter the GOP 2012 field.- JP
Participants of the forum, called Grizzlyfest, came together for three hours to praise Palin, plot how they will continue their grassroots political organizing in 2012, and how they will choose 2012 candidates after Palin stunned the group last month when she announced she would not seek the GOP nomination. The running theme of the event was that despite their chosen candidate’s decision, they will stay active in conservative politics.
Josh Painter, who runs the blog Texans for Sarah Palin, acknowledged that many supporters he knew were still “coming out of shock” at Palin’s decision, but that Grizzlyfest was an “excellent opportunity” to assess “where we are and where we are going.”
The forum at times sounded like a support group aimed at re-energizing the group who had devoted so much time to supporting Palin — some even moving to early states to campaign for the non-candidate — convinced she would run for president.
Palin did not participate in the event, but her brother, Chuck Heath Jr., called into the forum.
Panelist Nicole Coulter, an editor at the pro-Palin site Conservatives4Palin, asked the question that kept popping up on the event’s chat page where listeners could ask questions of the panelists: Can you convince Palin to change her mind?
“I can’t convince Sarah of anything,” Heath said. “But I will definitely work on her. I understand the reason that she had for not running, but I look at the other choices and it was painful for me, too. Honestly not because she’s my sister, but I honestly thought she was the best candidate out there. I’ll keep working on her.”
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“Over and over throughout her political life, Sarah has taken a stand for what is right, regardless of popular opinion. She’s genuine, she believes deeply in the cause for which she’s fighting, and because of that is tireless in her effort. I believe in addition to her strong stand on Constitutional conservative principles, this is why so many have been inspired by Sarah and seek to follow her example.”- JP
“This is an important online summit that should be viewed by not only Palin supporters, but conservatives, Tea Partiers and Republicans across the greater coalition that will be working to unseat President Barack Obama in 2012.”- JP
“In fact, an endorsement by Sarah Palin is worth as much as an endorsement by Bill Clinton among voters.”- JP
“Officials at the arena said Palin drew some 7,000 visitors Saturday.”- JP
TUPELO - Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin arrived in Tupelo in blue suede shoes, much to the delight of an estimated 6,500 fans.- JP
Palin wasted no time Saturday at the BancorpSouth Arena invoking the name of Tupelo's native son, Elvis, as she began her hour-long speech that mingled personal religious testimony with political and social commentary.
"This (Elvis') story is an all-American story that shows you anything is possible and you never know where you'll end up in this blessed land," Palin said.
The 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee took the stage at 3 p.m. as the keynote speaker for the Extraordinary Women Conference, an event that began Friday evening and featured various Christian female authors and speakers.
Women young and old hurried forward to snap photographs as Palin stood on a stage awash in pink and blue light.
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“Palin’s 2009 book, Going Rogue, has sold a whopping 1,392,225 copies in hardcover, over 4 times as many as the rest of the current GOP field combined. Her 2010 follow-up, America by Heart, sold a ‘mere’ 285,362, still nearly as many as the entire current Republican field. Palin’s first book is in rarified air, as one of only six tomes by a politician in the last decade to sell over a million copies.”- JP
“Tupelo, MS crowd all shook-up as Ex-Alaska Guv literally dons blue suede shoes for Extraordinary Women Conference keynote in Elvis's hometown.”- JP
“One of the great paradoxes in international politics is that Sonia Gandhi (born Edvige Antonia Albina Maino), a western woman, today virtually controls the reins of government in a country of 1.2 billion Indians. Sarah Palin's exit from the 2012 Presidential race somehow reminds me of Sonia’s predicament in 2004, when she turned down the opportunity to become the Prime Minister of India.”- JP
“This is disgusting. Barack Obama needs to go home next November, and I agree with Sarah Palin when she famously said: ‘November [2012] can’t come soon enough.’ You BETCHA!”- JP
“With Sarah Palin not in the presidential race, it's been extremely difficult to find a candidate that fits the bill. This blogger understands that we have to beat Obama, but who we beat him with is totally up in the air. There isn't one candidate that screams out ‘I'm the one’ the way Palin did. We have Herman Cain. We have Newt Gingrich. We have Rick Santorum. We have Michele Bachmann. They seem to be the best of the bunch, but they all have flaws. At some point we are going to have to overlook flaws, unfortunately, this election cycle. Luckily for us, none of our candidates are as flawed as Obama is. That ought to buy us some time when we win. Winning the election in 2012 is only step one. Step two is learning how to be the party and power yet still be dissatisfied enough to want to work even harder toward finding better leaders to help renew and restore the country. We can start with the Tea Party. We can start with Congress. But someday, someone who believes she doesn't need a title may have to take one on in order to finish the job.”Joshua Green to Ian Lazaran, via Twitter:
“Gotta say, Palin seemed like the better gov.”Gary P Jackson, at A Time For Choosing:
“I accept Sarah’s decision and after reflection, support it 100%. Like Reagan, Sarah is ahead of her time, for now. She’s talking about radical change. Changing the entire way government works. She’s talking about major reform. Replacing the corrupt Ruling Class politicians with principled leaders who aren’t for sale to the highest bidder. That change won’t come easy. The Ruling Class isn’t going to go quietly.”Don Surber, at the Charleston Daily Mail:
“And he is better than Palin?”Mark America:
“Let’s be honest: Given the choice of McCain and Romney, yes, I’d be inclined to pick Romney. Now, expand my choices by Rick Perry, Newt Gingrich, Herman Cain, Rick Santorum, Michele Bachmann, Ron Paul, and Gary Johnson, and yes, I’m going to re-think my previous choice. To be perfectly honest, if tomorrow Sarah Palin decided to change her mind and run, I’d be back back-peddling from any support I might have given any of the rest of these. NO PROBLEM. The simple fact is that if you have limited choices, you may choose the best that remains at the time, but not be overly happy about it.”Mark America:
“This is why you’re going to be looted for as long as they can get away with it. What do you think is the possible meaning of the story about which Sarah Palin tweeted her outrage over on Thursday night?”Ron Devito, at US for Palin:
“I would be highly irresponsible to suggest as fact that Gov. Palin is currently running unconventionally for President. I would be blindly foolish to dismiss the clear signs suggesting the possibility. This is why ‘glassing the field’ – picking up the binoculars and slinging the rifle – makes most sense. Sometimes, slow and steady wins the race. Only Gov. Palin, Todd, God, and maybe her closest staff know what she’s doing. Given the mortal enemies in her own party and its inability to abide by its own rules, best it’s left that way.”Jelayne Sessler, at Palin Defender:
“Sarah, I'm not going anywhere. The majority of your support base is on board with you.”Ed Morrissey, at Hot Air:
“Brutalized? Hardly. Perry rode into the race at the top of the polls and remained there for the first three of these debates, only sliding downward after the third debate in Orlando. If Perry expected to get no questions about his record in Texas, then he should have stayed out of the race. Besides, as many commenters wrote last night in Allahpundit’s post, maybe they should try walking in the Palins’ shoes for a while to understand being ‘brutalized.’”Jay Newton-Small, at TIME's Swampland blog:
“I thought it might be instructive to look back at some of the lessons Rick Perry can take from Palin’s base whispering.”Ron Futrell, at Big Journalism:
“A favorite trick of a partisan media is to ask a question, perhaps do a story or two and then drop it like a rubber ball at the feet of the owner. Fetch! They play that game back and forth and nothing ever really happens. They call it ‘action news.’ Somebody, somewhere needs to latch on to the ankles and not let go until the right thing is done. When you ask a question, ask follow-ups, over and over again. The best answer you get from powerful people comes only after the second, third, or fourth follow up. Watch how you did interviews with Sarah Palin if you want to see how that is done.”Team Gingrich:
“Because he stuck to the issues and didn't engage in sniping with other candidates, Newt won, says Palin.”Larry Mendte, at The Philly Post:
“Sarah Palin warned of government ‘death panels’ on her Facebook page and was nationally ridiculed. Politifact.com awarded Palin with the ‘Lie of the Year’ for that statement. President Obama called her out during a joint session of Congress saying the claim is ‘a lie, plain and simple.’ I thought of Sarah Palin when I heard the story of Helen Wagner. Helen is 91 years old and is the mother of my sister-in-law Peggy. Give Helen five minutes and she will list a dozen times she has held death at bay. But now she is up against a much greater force: Medicare... When I heard Helen’s story about a new crackdown on government rules that can impact a patient’s care because of their age. I couldn’t help but think that maybe Sarah Palin was right.”Shawn Ramsey, via the Appomattox Times-Virginian:
“I found out that she loved God, she loves her family and after hearing her speech, she loves America.”Moira Crooks, at Conservatives 4 Palin:
“Since Governor Palin announced October 5 that she was not going to seek the GOP nomination, I have been taking a closer look at the declared candidates. I have been trying to slip the shoe of what I look for in a President onto the wrong-sized feet of every last one. The further I look into each one’s records and positions on everything from American Exceptionalism to foreign policy, I cannot be convinced that anyone else can fill Gov. Palin’s shoes.”Exit Quote - Dr. Seuss:
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.”- JP
“And there’s always the possibly that one of the ‘out’ candidates -- Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, Rep. Paul Ryan, even Sarah Palin -- steps back into the ring, electrifying the anti-Mitt crowd.”- JP
Thursday on 'Hannity': New poll numbers are out for the GOP candidates after the Las Vegas debate! So who is in the lead? Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin weighs in tonight on 'Hannity'h/t: O.P. Ditch
The Republican Party of Florida is pleased to announce that on Thursday, November 3rd, Governor Sarah Palin will join Republicans for the RPOF's most important fundraising event of the year. The 2011 RPOF Victory Dinner will be held at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort in Orlando. The annual dinner will bring key Republican activists and donors together from around the state.According to the Miami Herald, a limited number of general admission tickets are priced at $150.
"This gala dinner comes just a year before one of the most important elections in Florida and the nation's history," said RPOF Chairman Lenny Curry. "Having a Republican leader of Governor Palin's stature and importance is yet again proof of the crucial role Florida will play as the year unfolds. We are so grateful that Governor Palin has accepted our invitation."
Florida Governor Rick Scott added, "Our next Republican nominee for President will need to win Florida in 2012, and the Republican Party of Florida will be critical to that mission. Governor Palin's participation in our Victory Dinner next month will help to ensure that we have the resources necessary to take back the White House."
“GOP disarray benefits former speaker, starts talk of Gingrich-Palin ticket”- JP
The speech by the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee is set for 3 p.m. Saturday. It's part of the Extraordinary Women Conference at the BancorpSouth Arena in Tupelo.Gov. Palin is also scheduled to speak at 2012 Extraordinary Women events in Greenville, South Carolina in March and Birmingham, Alabama in April.
Michael Stewart, the conference's vice president for event development, told the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal that Tupelo is one of only four stops on the Extraordinary Women tour at which Palin will speak.
He said organizers "looked for markets where her appearance demographically made sense." Stewart said the presence of the Tupelo-based American Family Association is among the reasons Palin chose to speak in the city.
“The question here is: is the GOP elite serious about limited government? Or not... It explains why the GOP Establishment flinches when a Sarah Palin or Michele Bachmann or Rand Paul or Marco Rubio or Christine O'Donnell or Sharron Angle or Joe Miller step forth onto the stage nationally or within their states.”- JP
On October 5th, former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin let everyone know she would not seek the GOP nomination for the presidency at this time. She urged supporters to join her in continuing to fight to restore America’s “greatness, goodness, and our constitutional republic based on the rule of law.”You can follow Grizzly Fest on Facebook and Twitter.
On Oct. 29th Palin supporters will gather for Grizzly Fest, an historic online summit to move ahead with a positive agenda of reform. Because we’ve still got our Grrrr on … Way ON!
Join your friends in the Palin grassroots movement including (Steve Bannon, Tammy Bruce, Jedidiah Bila, Peter Singleton, and representatives from C4P, O4P, Texans4Palin, and Team Sarah) to renew, reload and re-organize. The idea for Grizzly Fest sprang from Tammy Bruce’s suggestion for a Palinista “Meet-Up” to plot our next steps. It gathered steam during a recent Roderic Deane radio show. We’ve rounded-up an inspiring group of Grizzlies to discuss the success of the movement so far, the ongoing work of restoration, and what comes next as we rally around shared values and purpose.
We invite Palin supporters everywhere to listen in LIVE to this important discussion on Saturday, Oct. 29th from 2-5 p.m. ET, and to share their own ideas in our dedicated forums. We will be announcing more details about this event in coming days, and launching a Grizzly Fest website.
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“Only time will tell where the Republican Party will go following Palin’s withdrawal from the race. Had there been a better candidate or even a comparable alternative, her supporters would have flocked to that candidate by now in much the same way Reagan supporters flocked to her in 2008.”- JP
“Governor Palin has said from the very beginning that she is going to use her voice to advance the conservative cause in America, and I know she means it.”- JP
“I’d caution naysayers with a paraphrase of Abraham Lincoln: better to remain silent on the subject of Palin’s political demise and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt once she delivers the goods.”- JP
“This is a situation where slow and steady wins the race.”- JP
“Thus far we’ve only considered the ‘benefits’ of Governor Palin running for president … we haven’t really considered the costs.”- JP
But Palin made it clear in her interview with Mark Levin that she would work hard to elect conservative candidates at every level of government. She framed two key themes that will animate her fight as a political outsider as she works with republicans (not against them as a 3rd party spoiler) to prevent Obama’s reelection: energy and crony capitalism. Hardly a syllable about these issues has been uttered by the current candidates but now with Palin’s help they will get the attention they deserve. Her endorsement is highly coveted and to earn it a candidate will have to embrace these two subjects convincingly.Sandroff expresses his desire to see Gov. Palin appointed to a cabinet position where she can reverse the disastrous energy policies (or lack of same) of present and past administrations if a Republican with some common sense wins the White House in 2012. But even if that doesn't come to pass, we agree with the writer that Sarah Palin's speech at the RNC in Tampa next August will rock the house. It will also serve as a sobering reminder of what could have been.
Her unapologetic and knowledgeable advocacy for the development of American-sourced energy has been a Palin trademark for much of her recent career. But her recognition of the level of corruption achieved through Obama’s brand of crony capitalism and its fundamental immorality was a brilliant insight. Those candidates with careers defined outside the boundaries of Washington, DC, like Herman Cain and Mitt Romney, should use the charge of cronyism like a bludgeon against Obama’s hope and change mirage until it completely deflates and disappears.
In Indianola, Iowa last month, in what was her best speech since the 2008 convention, Palin started to focus on her crusade against the “corporate crony capitalism” of Obama with a fervor equal to her discussions about the need to embrace oil and gas exploration.
[...]
Palin remarked confidently and seemingly without regret that she decided not to run because family comes first. What Palin might have really meant is that she decided not to run because family safety comes first. Out of Obama and the radical left there has oozed a form of derangement and hatred for populist figures on the right that must be truly frightening for the Palin family to behold. Obama’s goons become more unhinged and threatening every day whether they represent the union movement or appear in the form of pathetic, incoherent, spoiled middle-class street thugs defacing the sidewalks of lower Manhattan.
So by declining to compete for the presidential bid at least we know that Sarah Palin and her family will be safe, or at least safer.
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“Governor Palin’s statements last winter have proven her prescience on supposed ‘freedom movements’ in Egypt [and the Middle East].”- JP
“Dear Sarah... I am sure that you are aware of an online movement on Facebook called ‘Sarah Palin’s Earthquake.’ It is a gathering of thousands of like-minded supporters—like me—who are not idol worshiping, but have studied your record and accomplishments and know that you are the right person for the job. In short, we want you to reconsider. If you decline, please know that the majority of us understand, and we will continue to support you and your quest to re-take the Senate and save the House in 2012.”Anthony James, at Tea Party Tribune:
“We will be Sarah Palin’s ‘Earthquake.’”Patrick S. Adams, at Patrick's World USA:
“I didn't join the Palin army for the warm fuzzies. I didn't join the Palin army because I wanted to be in a fan club or because I wanted to join a social group. I joined the Palin army because I thought she represented exactly what America needed at a time when it needed it most... We will never have another Ronald Reagan. But, someday we will have another great one, whether its Palin or someone else. I just hope to be alive to see it, and I hope there is still an America left for them to lead.”Mark America:
“That the GOP establishment seems to have managed to pull off another end-run around us is not Sarah Palin’s fault, but ours.”Gary P Jackson, at A Time For Choosing:
“One thing Sarah has never stopped doing is fighting. Sarah has been the only real living voice of conservatism since she took to that convention stage in 2008. Better still, Sarah has put skin in the game. She’s put principle over power, and worried more about advancing conservatism than advancing her own political career... It’s hard for a lot of people to let that go. To accept the best possible choice for America has decided not to run. There’s even a move to draft her. To cause that ‘earthquake’ she said it would take to get her to reconsider. To be honest, as tempting as it sounds, folks would be better off focusing their energy on the new mission. Sarah has said she’s not going anywhere. That she is going to take on corruption in both parties, continue to push the conservative message, and fight to not only take back the Senate but increase our numbers in the House, by helping elect sold conservatives. Men and women of principle. Of substance. Sarah has inspired millions, it would be sad to see all of that energy wasted. In 2010 Sarah had an unbelievable record of picking winning candidates and endorsing them. Look for 2012 to be even stronger, as long as we keep our eyes on the mission.”William A. Jacobson, at Legal Insurrection:
“Looking at all the non-Romney candidates last night, I kept thinking, ‘Miss her yet?’”M. Joseph Sheppard, at A Point Of View:
“There is no question that Newt Gingrich is in the ascendency... For Gingrich to not only continue his rise, but to break away from the pack and actually take the lead, there is one sentence he can say which would not only give him the lead, the nomination and, given the predicted state of the economy next year, the presidency in 2012: ‘If I am elected president I will offer the post of Secretary of Energy to Sarah Palin.’ This statement, especially if Palin responds positively, or even guardedly -- as long as she didn't reject it outright, could bring the support of the millions of Palin's Facebook followers, the activists and the financial backers.”Newt Gingrich, during the Dartmouth Debate:
“I think, candidly, Governor Palin got attacked unfairly for describing what would, in effect, be death panels.”Sherisse Pham, at ABC News' The Note:
“Rick Santorum‘s bid for the Republican presidential nomination is not going well. While rivals such as Rep. Michele Bachmann, Texas Gov. Rick Perry and now businessman Herman Cain enjoy bursts of popularity, the former Pennsylvania senator can’t seem to get his campaign out of the gate. Endorsements from leading Republicans – say, Sarah Palin - would certainly help. ‘Her being out of the race and potentially getting involved in a campaign with somebody else could be a big lift,’ Santorum said on ABC’s ‘Top Line.’ ‘We’d like your endorsement by the way,’ he joked, staring straight to the camera.”Herman Cain, to The Daily Caller:
“I believe that I would be a natural choice for many of the Sarah Palin supporters simply because Sarah Palin and I share very similar views.”John Smithson, at Meet Sarah Palin:
“Huntsman criticizes Palin. My question: who cares? The leftist Mediaite ran a story a couple of days ago on Jon Huntsman, past governor of Utah, criticizing Sarah Palin for dragging out her decision on running for the presidency... Huntsman really does not understand the current climate within the GOP or he would excuse himself from the race altogether. Nice guy, but he does not have one chance in 700 hells of getting the GOP nomination, and we all know this. His influence within the GOP is so lacking that one wonders why he continues his campaign or takes the time to criticize anyone within the party. This is similar to Norm Newhollander criticizing the GOP. Don't know who Norm Newhollander is? Exactly.”Ian Lazaran, at Conservatives 4 Palin:
“These three polls are screaming for either Palin or Huckabee to reconsider.”Tammy Bruce, at Newsmax.com:
“Every candidate in the GOP field now fails on Palin’s points... Gov. Palin has painted herself into a very difficult principled corner — her own standards make endorsing in this current field at the very least uncomfortable, and at worst she’s at risk of appearing hypocritical... Whatever individual Palinistas decide when it comes to ‘What now?’ they will make the difference in this imperative political season. With the tea party, we have seen emerge the most important conservative movement since the Reagan Revolution, and if there ever was a time for authentic conservatives to take back this nation and the Republican Party, it is now. For those who thought Gov. Palin’s supporters would fade away if Palin did not run, they’ll find the folly in that sooner than later.”Donga.com, South Korean news site:
“Na Kyung-won, the ruling Grand National Party’s candidate for Seoul mayor, has a few things in common with former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin... Both are prominent female politicians in their countries and are raising a child with Down Syndrome. Na met Palin Tuesday on the sidelines of the World Knowledge Forum...”Mark Whittington, at Yahoo! News:
“Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin may not be running for president, but she is still playing the role of a world stateswoman. She had some things to say about East Asia at the World Knowledge Forum 2011 sponsored by the Maeil Business Newspaper in Seoul. According to the Wall Street Journal, she touched on themes of smaller government and the dangers of a large national debt. This is affecting America's ability to project power in the world, which is a dangerous thing. She also touched on the rise of China as a military power, the current dispute over the Spratly Islands and the need for regime change in North Korea. One of the calumnies directed against Palin is that she had allegedly not studied the issues or traveled very much abroad. This is a calumny because it is not true. Palin has been to India, Israel and Hong Kong in the last several years and has impressed the locals at every stop with her command of the issues facing Asia and the Middle East... In her Seoul speech, Palin opined that there will be a woman president someday in America, and she looks forward to that day. This is a bittersweet reminder to her admirers who also look forward to that day and have already put a name and face on that future chief executive.”Exit Quote - Marshall McLuhan, in The Medium is the Massage: An Inventory of Effects:
“The medium, or process, of our time - electric technology - is reshaping and restructuring patterns of social interdependence and every aspect of our personal life. It is forcing us to reconsider and re-evaluate practically every thought, every action, and every institution formerly taken for granted.”- JP
“Sarah Palin articulated all of the positions that would have suited her greatly as a presidential candidate had she run during her speeches this past week in St. Louis, Virginia and South Korea.”- JP
In a wide-ranging speech to a forum in Seoul, the conservative commentator accused China of seeking to use its military influence in regional disputes and said she looked forward to the ousting of North Korea's regime.The former governor and Republican vice presidential candidate also voiced her support for the Free Trade Agreement between the United States and South Korea:
Palin cited the Arab Spring as proof that new information technology was playing an "enormous role" in spreading cries for freedom.
"Technology means individuals have been empowered in ways they have never been empowered before in our entire history," she told the World Knowledge Forum hosted by Maeil Business Newspaper.
"Technology has taken power away from central authorities and provided individuals with more choices. We are no longer living in a top-down world. Now we are living in a bottom-up world, from entertainment and information to education."
But governments seemed to be going in the opposite direction, with the European Union in Brussels "dictating terms for the member states across the continent", she said.
In China, "where there have been some movements towards reform, the Communist Party still dictates to the Chinese what they can and what they can't do in so many respects", she added.
Even in the United States, the political elite "believe we just can't get along without them", Palin charged.
"Government officials like to push this idea because it gives them the opportunity to pick the economic winners and losers in our system... in other words, it gives them ultimate economic power.
"I just call it crony capitalism."
"I support what is being debated right now in Washington, D.C., with the FTA with South Korea because we are natural trading partners from automobiles to agricultural products."Though she did not discuss her political future and why she declined to run for president next year, Gov. Palin predicted that there "will be a woman president of the United States of America, and I look forward to that day".
"What government can do is to open the gate and then get out of the way and let the people trade, let the markets dictate what should be traded and much of the terms, and I do look forward to seeing that outcome from the U.S. and Korea free- trade agreement."
On North Korea:
"The first victims of his regime are his own people. That is so inherently unfair and unjust that I look forward to this entire regime being able to be rebuilt, South Korea being able to assist North Korea when that regime is finally ousted."
On spending on national security in the U.S.
"I want to make sure that we have no debt, but that we have enough money to spend on national security measures in order to help create a more peaceful and prosperous world for all of you, not just the U.S."
“I firmly believe that Sarah Palin has been a gift to American culture. People criticize her (and then some) and the prominence of her family, but I’m grateful we’ve met Trig Palin. I’m grateful that his mother helped shatter the mainstream media myth that a woman in politics surrender femininity. Most importantly, though, before her, I’m not sure how many of us realized that upwards of 90 percent of children expected to be born with Down Syndrome are aborted.”- JP
“‘For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.’ – Jeremiah 29:11... I have admired, respected, and been inspired by Gov. Palin for over three years. Since the first day I heard her speak, when McCain introduced her that August day, I have known, down in my bones, that she was “the real deal.” That hasn’t changed. Sarah Palin is the ‘real deal,’ a genuine America-loving citizen who has a special gift for sharing that love and stirring in the hearts of millions of her fellow citizens a passion and determination to restore our country to her founding principles. I profoundly thank her for that, and for all she has done for the purpose of restoring America. And it’s not over. Not by a long shot.”Stephen Bannon, via Variety:
“"She was very straightforward. She told people that her decision would be through consultation with her family and through prayer. That is what she did, and she made the decision that this was not the time for her.”Madeline McAulay, at Faith, Hope and Politics:
“If people would put themselves in Governor Palin’s shoes, and look through the eyes her family, there is no way they can truly be angry. Everyone grew to love the Palin’s in 2008, but we also remember the disgusting things that were not only thrown at her, but also at her children. I do not blame any of them for not wanting to go through that again, at least at this time. One thing is for certain, Governor Palin is not going anywhere. She will have a huge impact on the upcoming elections, and she will continue to be a voice for Conservatives. I trust the Governor, and her decision, and I know that God has a perfect and divine plan that will be even greater than anyone can imagine.”Dan Riehl, at Riehl World View:
“It amazes me to see how many silly people there are on the Right who fail to appreciate Palin's significance in bringing in new people, faces and energy to our efforts these last few years... She remains an asset and only fools and asses squander or seek to undermine political assets, especially in political times such as these.”Mark Whittington, at Associated Content:
“Reports of Sarah Palin's political demise have been greatly exaggerated... It is clear that Palin's endorsement is one of the most valued commodities in American politics in this election cycle. A great many people are in elected office because of her support during the 2010 election cycle. It is possible that the next president of the United States could owe his presidency to a well timed word from the lady from Wasilla... Endorsements often come with a price. For Palin it may not be something as blatant as an office or a place on the ticket. It might well be a pledge to advance the agenda that Palin and her followers care about. If that kind of quid pro quo happens, she will become the gray eminence of American politics, albeit not in the holy orders. ”Terry Jeffrey, at NRO Symposium:
“The 2012 election may not be Sarah Palin’s Agincourt, but as with the young Prince Hal who became the fearsome Henry V, we are seeing the emergence of a leader who will someday crush the fools who arrogantly underestimated her.”Gary P Jackson, at A Time For Choosing:
“Sarah Palin has said she will continue the fight, and I will stand with her and anyone else who wants to fight this fight. Immediately after her announcement, she released a new video... that says she’s not going anywhere. Knowing how she has no problem going after the bad guys in either party, she could be quite dangerous to the Ruling Class. Good! We are in the fight for the very survival of our nation. Now is not the time to sit back and be sad Sarah won’t be our next President... Now is the time to move forward. Again, I trust that whatever Sarah has up her sleeve is important and will bring results.”Patrick S. Adams, at Patrick's World USA:
“There is no better way to stick it to the scumbags who messed with her and her family than to walk off with a wad of cash and an army of devoted followers over two million strong. Good for her.”Henry D'Andrea, at Washington Times Communities:
“Palin’s message has always been ‘country first.’ She put the country ahead of self by sitting this election out. It would be a lie to say I am not disappointed that she isn’t running, but I fully stand behind her decision. In this coming, crucial election, Palin will hit the campaign trail for many governors, senators, congressmen, etc., who are actively working to restore America. In the historical 2010 mid-term election, Palin endorsed several candidates across the United States: Over 70% of them won their races. She will be decisive in the next election. Her message of conservatism and a simpler, smaller, smarter government resonates with the American people. To Palin’s supporters: Do not let the governor’s decision demoralize you. It is not time to pack up and go home, it is time to unite and fight to stop the Obama agenda. Governor Palin, we thank you for your selfless fight for commonsense, conservative solutions for the United States of America. I still believe that one day I’ll have the honor of calling you ‘President Sarah Palin.’ This is a crucial time for America and Sarah Palin isn’t retreating, she’s just reloading.”John Hitchcock, at Truth Before Dishonor:
“Sarah Palin has not given up the stage. She is definitely going to keep up the fight, and as a result, the candidates for office — Presidential and below — will have to respond to the TEA Party and Palin campaigns to take the US back to its roots of Freedom and Liberty.”Kempite, at White House 2012:
“Palin’s lack of political ambition is what attracts most people to her. They understand that her opinions and words are not driven by the political motives which are usually behind the words and policies of your average politician. That understanding and the enormous number of people who support Palin for her ability to articulate what they feel and think, and her desire to be honest and blunt about those sentiments, is the same understanding which gave birth to the TEA movement. That is why for many, the two go hand in hand. It is why Palin is a darling of the TEA movement. It is also why Palin’s decision not to run is likely to have as much of an effect on who will be the next Republican nominee, as she would have had if she decided to run for the nomination herself.”David Riddick, at The Aged P:
“Who knows what surprises the future might bring for Sarah Palin or her supporters. Only time will tell. As for her enemies they should savour the moment while they can for some time in the future fate will surely deliver their come uppance…”Ron Devito, at US for Palin:
“Judgment and discernment by definition cannot be programmed. You see, some qualities are completely apolitical and cannot be mechanized. Few people possess even one of them, much less all of them. These qualities are: integrity; leadership by example; keeping promises; executive experience; command experience; life experience; judgment; the right combination of toughness and sweetness; accomplishments; fortitude; the ability to keep confidences; a proven and vetted track record of success; a proven ability to withstand media scrutiny; people person; and impeccable character that inspires confidence and commands respect. Add to that list: proving to the world that a woman can do anything a man can do – and in many cases, do it better. These qualities are about the person and Gov. Palin possesses every last one of them. That’s what makes her the kind of leader you see only once in 75 – 150 years.”Roderic Deane:
“We need to trust Sarah now, as we have in the past. I have no doubt that she’s got some plans up her sleeve that will make us all proud.”Kathryn Jean Lopez, at National Review Online:
“Former Alaska governor Sarah Palin recently said something both profound and essential. As she was nearing her decision not to launch a presidential campaign — appearing to discern what role she could best play in national affairs, and perhaps preparing to let her most ardent supporters down easy — she asked Fox News host Greta Van Susteren, ‘Is a title worth it? Does a title shackle a person?’ She continued: ‘Does a title take away my freedom to call it like I see it and to affect positive change that we need in this country? That’s the biggest contemplation piece in my process.’ Such questions could be interpreted as indicative of a dismaying attitude toward public service. But they may also demonstrate an admirable self-awareness, and a keen appreciation of the different ways one might play a role in public life.”Exit Quote - Les Brown:
“It’s not over until you win.”- JP