Reaction to Dede's Decision to Exit NY-23 Race, Part 2

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View From The Right:

"[Scozzafava's] withdrawal... is also a vindication for those Republicans, most notably Sarah Palin, who broke with the party and supported Hoffman, and egg in the face for the GOP stalwarts who backed Scozzafava, particularly Newt Gingrich."

Matt Lewis:

"The Winners - Sarah Palin - Her surprise endorsement of Hoffman helped cement her status as the favorite candidate of the grassroots conservative "tea party" set. That could be helpful in Iowa!"

Maggie's Notebook:

"[Hoffman's] candidacy got a giant boost when former governor, Sarah Palin stepped in and supported him, over Newt Gingrich's foolish endorsement of Scozzafava."

GOP 12:

"Now... among 2012 people, Palin obviously gets the big boost, Pawlenty gets some (albeit) late credit, Romney and Huck just look tepid (which feeds into lingering questions surrounding Mitt), and Newt looks like a carved up Jack-o-Lantern."

Betsy's Page:

"Besides Scozzafava, the big loser in all this is Newt Gingrich who had been going to the mattresses to defend his support for her. Meanwhile, Republicans have been following Sarah Palin's lead and endorsing Hoffman."

Dan Balz:

"Then there was Sarah Palin. In her first significant move since she resigned as governor of Alaska, Palin announced her support for Hoffman, prompting others to do the same."

DaTechguy:

"Big Winners: Sarah Palin - She was the republican who was willing to put herself on the line..."

Robert George:

"Palin... recognized where the base's train was going and quickly got on board. Romney missed the train -- and missed the opportunity to take a significant role in a tough internal ideological debate that his party is undergoing. Even if Romney [had]endorsed Scozzafava... at least he would have made a principled decision and could have articulated his reasons for it. Instead, he looks completely wishy-washy."

Des Moines Conservative Examiner:

"Sarah Palin and Fred Thompson had the guts to do what Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich and the entire Republican Party would not do... Leaders take bold steps by standing on their principles. That is what Sarah Palin and Fred Thompson did."

Rob Harrison:

"Gov. Palin is definitely one who gets major credit, perhaps the most credit, for taking down the Scozzafava campaign. Back in Alaska, she put a few trophies on the wall of her war room of 'Republicans' who weren't upholding the ideals and positions of the Republican Party; now, with her endorsement of Doug Hoffman, she's added another, her first from the national scene."

North Country Public Radio:

"The conservative movement that cohered around former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin in 2008 has emerged as the vibrant core of the modern Republican Party."

Dump Dede:

"I see some liberals and certain moderates and their Razzie-esque support of Scozzafava as some sort of women’s rights leader, Tweets such as 'the GOP and big tent need more of her.' These were the same people who dumped all over Sarah Palin, the same people who dump on Michelle Bachmann, so no, 'women’s rights' isn’t something that you can cherry pick and decide to support based upon whether or not you like the woman in question."

C. Edmund Wright:

"Sarah Palin and Fred Thompson agreed before it was cool to be pro-Hoffman."

VotingFemale:

"This is a serious win for Sarah Palin and other big name GOP heavyweights who disagreed with the GOP business-as-usual forces such as Newt Gingrich and Michael Steele, who backed a Socialist ACORN-endorsed RINO and rejected a true Reagan Conservative, Doug Hoffman."

Rick Moran:

"And while Gingrich comes out of the fray with egg on his face, Sarah Palin emerges once again as a savvy leader who recognized the opportunity to ride the populist wave and make a sizable impact with her timely endorsement. Other potential 2012 presidential candidates hesitated, either failing to grasp the opportunity or not recognizing it. Palin’s boldness in sensing the mood of national conservatives and bucking the establishment only adds to the perception that... she will be a force in national politics in 2012 and beyond."

- JP

Reaction to Sarah Palin's Doug Hoffman endorsement, Part 2

Here's some more reaction to Sarah Palin's endorsement of Doug Hoffman in NY-23...

Gates of Vienna:

"Let’s see if Scozzafava’s husband calls the police on Sarah Palin, hmmm?"

Joshuapundit:

"This is a good example of [Sarah Palin] understanding something that seems lost on most politicians. The tea party movement and the general disaffection of the electorate isn't necessarily pro-Republican, and unless the GOP realizes that and start standing for principle, they are simply going to continue to be marginalized."

Libertas:

"Sarah Palin is embarking on a journey that may ultimately lead, I believe, to a massive new rebirth of freedom, liberty and revival..."

Chris Cillizza:

"Sarah Palin's decision to endorse the Conservative Party candidate over the Republican nominee in a special House election in upstate New York is the latest example that the former Alaska governor's allegiance is to her conservative principles rather than the edicts of the party."

Clarice Feldman:

"The Revolution is On!"

Doctor Zero:

"The rising star of Sarah Palin passes over the melancholy ruins of Newt Gingrich, who spent the last of his credibility endorsing Scozzafava."

Dan Riehl:

"Sarah Palin puts forth her argument for her NY - 23 position on social media site, Facebook. Newt, otoh, has his posted internally on his own association's site. Does that tell us anything about where both are coming from today, about which is actually more in step with today's culture and electorate?"

John Fund:

"Sarah Palin's decision to endorse the Conservative Party candidate in an upstate New York special election for Congress has dramatically raised the stakes in the race."

Sheldon Alberts:

"Her decision to go against the GOP establishment in the New York campaign underscores yet again her determination to position herself as a party outsider, with an eye on a possible presidential run in 2012. And her bet is that the party's going nowhere if it appeals to the same political middle ground that helped Barack Obama win the White House."

John Winder:

"With every new Facebook entry, both the DNC and GOP cringe, then deny that Palin matters. It must genuinely irk them to no end that Palin can get border to border and coast-to-coast coverage from a single Facebook entry. This must keep the Obamas and their TV scheduler up at night."

Jennifer Rubin:

"Newt Gingrich has himself tied up in knots explaining why Dede Scozzafava — a pro-card-check, pro-gay-marriage, rather liberal Republican (think Olympia Snowe)... is really the 'practical' choice for Republicans. Tim Pawlenty says he 'doesn’t know anything about it.' Sarah Palin is backing the insurgent Republican Doug Hoffman. That will tell Republican voters something about all three potential candidates for 2012."

Perry de Havilland:

"Palin right, Gingrich wrong"

Virginia Virtucon:

"Palin even worked in a line about this once again is 'a time for choosing,' a phrase made famous by Ronald Reagan. (The more she remains focused on these core elements... the clearer it becomes that she will be the true heir to Reagan in 2012. If 2012 is a repeat of 1980, expect Mitt Romney to play the role of George Bush in the primaries as the establishment candidate.)"

Mondo Frazier:

"Every time squishy Republicans and Democrats see a conservative threat on the horizon–whether it’s just a commentator like Glenn Beck or a politician like Sarah Palin–their undies get twisted into the most odd shapes. This causes them to lose not only their composure, but their good sense."

Doug Hoffman:

"Sarah stands up for what she believes in and is a commonsense conservative, a Reagan Republican."

- JP

Reaction to Sarah going on The Oprah Show, Part 2

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More reaction to Sarah Palin's scheduled appearance on Obamoprah's Show...

Another Black Conservative:

"I wonder which Oprah will show up that day? Will it be Oprah the Obama Shill, who refused to have Palin on her show during the election and who may use this opportunity to try to sink Palin and her book for Obama? Or will it be Business Woman Oprah who is watching her ratings steadily tank?"

Lisa de Moraes:

"Oprah Winfrey, on a campaign to climb back from last season's ratings slump, will attempt to kiss and make up with conservative viewers on Nov. 16 when she has Sarah Palin on her syndicated talk show."

Alamo City Pundit:

"I can’t help but think she’ll give into her liberal nature and have a few little twists of the skewer for Obama’s potential 2012 opponent. And can Oprah bear to not ask about Palin’s daughters? I doubt it."

Whatever Is Right:

"The Oprah sit-down provides Palin with a chance to re-reintroduce herself to a captive American public."

IC Blog:

"But what about the people who are still on the fence? If Palin manages to win over a good number of those people then the 2012 campaign is on the march."

The Iowa Republican:

"Of course, the variable factor in all of this is Oprah. Oprah… a devout Obama worshipper, and when she’s not worshipping Obama, she’s a crazy, new-age pagan. In other words, she really can’t be trusted to be fair (more because of the Obama thing than the pagan thing). But, Oprah’s not stupid. Most of her viewers have far more in common with Sarah Palin than they do Oprah’s golden boy."

The Oprah Blog:

"Oprah endorsed Barack Obama in the election, the first time she publicly supported a candidate. Think Oprah can see Russia from her Chicago skyscraper?"

BackyardConservative:

"No Oprah can't see Russia from her skyscraper, well maybe Michigan which is failed Obamanomics writ large, but Oprah can see the writing on the wall--she needs Sarah Palin more than Palin needs her. And she can't depend on The One to lift her show from the doldrums--he has sagging ratings of his own."

The Lonely Conservative:

"Maybe it’s the Amazon best seller list that convinced Oprah that Americans find Sarah Palin to be quite fascinating."

Below The Beltway:

"For the first time ever, I may actually watch The Oprah Winfrey Show by choice..."

The Conservative Reform Network Blog:

"Sarah Palin is a phenomenon, a brilliant retail politician, a steel magnolia, not to be underestimated which is why the Left attempts to mischaracterize her and her views."

The New Agenda:

"Since our piece in The Daily Beast, 'Should Women Back Palin in 2012?', there’s been a fair amount of 'commotion' on the blogosphere about this subject. Several pro-Palin blogs have been exploring this notion – the importance of Sarah Palin reaching out to get women’s votes. Well, seems Sarah Palin agrees!"

- JP

Reaction to 'Going Rogue' - Round Two

Web trip!

Via National Reviews's The Corner, Rick Santorum:

"Sarah has... been hammered by the mainstream media. This is an opportunity for her to show a more thoughtful side. She has a gift for prose. Hopefully that comes across."

The Boston Globe:

"Palin took home a bundle from communist China after condemning Beijing’s destabilizing military buildup and the 1,000 Chinese missiles aimed at Taiwan. The hockey mom is becoming an operator."

Michael van der Galien [Shockingly positive toward Palin]:

"She could not possibly have hoped for a better start of a presidential campaign. And let’s face it, chances are she’ll run for president. She should. There’s not one Republican out there who is more popular among the grassroots. The only question is whether she’ll attempt to succeed Obama in 2012 or 2016. Like it or not, this woman truly is a phenomenon."

The Reaganite Republican [with our thanks for the h/t]:

"Go get em ‘Cuda- you're one tough lady, and there's a lot of us who have the utmost respect for you and your common-sense conservatism."

Dan Calabrese:

"Palin’s book is a big seller because she is a smart, honest woman who does what she believes is right without regard for what others will say about her – and everyday people love her for that."

Rick Moran:

"My guess is that John McCain and several of his staffers are going to have a lot of explaining to do once this book hits the stands."

Jamie Jeffords:

"As a conservative, Christian, and Jeffersonian, I cannot think of any other potential candidate who excites me the way she does."

Truth And Common Sense:

"She speaks for millions of people when she points out that many of the things the politicians do are just stupid. She also understands the limits of government and the limitlessness of man’s dreams... I also get a huge kick out of watching Palin, without any effort on her part except to draw breath, drive the likes of Maureen Dowd crazy."

Merv Benson:

"She has been closer than most politicians to where the conservative base is. That and her popularity have to be what is really scaring the left right now."

All News Source:

"Much to the chagrin of her critics, Sarah Palin is literally burning up the book charts across the board. It’s 38 days until the book goes public and it’s already #1 on Amazon and #1 on Barnes & Noble."

Morgan Freeberg:

"The wires are burning up with news that Sarah Palin’s co-author is 'extremely conservative'... Does anyone know what kind of meaning to make of that anymore? It means someone doesn’t have a problem if someone else eats meat or legally buys a gun?"

Samuel’s Blog:

"One wonders if this is the start of Sarah Palin preparing herself for a run for president in 2012? I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again…I certainly hope it is."

Hillbuzz:

"If she can send liberals running and throw Dr. Utopia’s administration into total disarray by just posting 1,200 words at a time on Facebook, just imagine what she’ll stir up when her BOOK drops."

JammieWearingFool:

"The left may have a collective aneurysm by the time Going Rogue is released, and that's still not until November 17."

Amused Cynic:

"Hide your Maker’s Mark, this is going to push MoDo right off the edge she’s been teetering on for so long... I look forward to much wailing and gnashing of teeth."

More to come...

- JP

Reaction to Sarah Palin's Hong Kong Speech, Part 2

The Wall Street Journal's editors:

"The former vice presidential candidate understands Beijing better than the Obama Administration does."

conservative brother:

"As Obama was ripping our country apart to the cheers of some of the most murderous dictators in the world, Former Governor Sarah Palin was giving a speech that was the complete opposite."

Freedom's Lighthouse:

"Palin brought a positive message about America's ability to heal itself, particularly if we follow the prescription set forth by President Ronald Reagan."

Allahpundit:

"For a speech that some on the left stupidly maintained was an elaborate 'prank,' it sure does seem to have been treated pretty seriously by those who were there."

Glenn Reynolds quotes Hong Kong reader Sean Giefing:

"I attended Sarah Palin’s speech at the CLSA conference in Hong Kong. She was very engaging – very down to earth, likeable and offered very intelligent and well informed opinions on US domestic and foreign policy and interesting views on China."

Ruby Slippers:

"Cameron Sinclair, Co-founder of Architecture for Humanity and the Open Architecture Network, gave a surprisingly positive review of Sarah Palin's Hong Kong speech at The Huffington Post. Yes you read that right, The Huffington Post. Sinclair comments that the speech was 'crafted' but contained some surprising criticism of the GOP." 

Bill Lawrence:

"She said the Chinese people need more freedom and stuck up for Tibet and Taiwan. She said America needs to purse a policy of energy independence which meant new drilling, natural gas and nuclear power plants. She said the Republican Party has lost its principles and it's not even certain she saw Tom Delay dancing."

Castaway Conservative:

"I love the fact the media wasn’t invited in. Make ‘em pay, Sarah."

Don Surber:

"Methinks some people expected Joan of Arc while others expected Tina Fey. I think they got Sarah, a bright person from middle America who is more mainstream than the geniuses we have in Washington. It is too bad our current president did not face the same scrutiny before he was elected."

Stephen Spruiell:

"Contrary to speculation that a Hong Kong brokerage invited Sarah Palin to speak at its annual conference as a tongue-in-cheek joke, Palin's address appears to have gone quite well."

Jason Barrett:

"In a wide-ranging and well-received speech in Hong Kong, Palin supported a more Libertarian free-market approach, slamming the recent imposition of tariffs on Chinese tires by the Obama Administration."

Newsweek blogger Katie Connolly:

"The speech is a smart move in the reinvention of Sarah Palin. Sure she can give a good speech, whip up crowds, and raise money, but the longevity of her national political career hinges on her ability to have a voice in serious policy debates."

Another Black Conservative:

"Her quotes on China [are] damn good, I have not heard Obama take China to task for its human rights abuses."

Jeremiah Marquez:

"Sarah Palin resurfaced in Hong Kong on Wednesday more moderate in tone and better versed in international affairs, possibly laying the first brick for a 2012 White House bid."

Macsmind:

"Way to knock it out of the Park Sarah, good job!"

- JP

Much More on Sarah Palin's Wall Street Journal Op-Ed

Moe Lane/RedState.com:

"The entire ‘death panels’ issue was one that the media kept worrying at and worrying at, and even the ones that deigned to admit that THAT WOMAN had an actual point were ever-so-disapproving at the way that Palin expressed it. The unapologetic and humorous (that’s important) way that the former governor referred back to it is refreshing."

Serr8d's Cutting Edge:

"Sarah Palin's timing is perfect. Another chip thrown in the gears of Obama's machine-operated political disaster. Just when we needed it."

Jeff Poor/NewsBusters.org:

"Palin, with a baby with Down Syndrome, does have real-life expertise dealing with the American health care system. And her position as governor of Alaska makes her qualified to give insight into the bureaucratization of any part of the public sector, despite Ambinder's calls to dismiss her as a serious voice in the health care debate."

Confederate Yankee:

"We have before us a leader with vision. And then we have the President."

Pundit & Pundette:

"As our fearless leader says every five minutes or so, let's be clear. Sarah Palin is that."

Another Black Conservative:

"If there is one single lesson that Obama and the Democrats should have learned by now, it is that it's in their best interest to ignore Palin. But like moths to a flame, they cannot help themselves. They will descend upon her Op-Ed with snark and insults, all the while inadvertently amplifying her message."

Dodo Can Spell:

"Boy, oh boy - this woman is delightfully devious. The MSM was totally off the mark when they labelled her 'empty-headed'. Moreover, looking at the writing, it is obvious her degree in journalism was well earned."

Ed Walsh/Podium Pundits:

"Governor Palin defuses the president’s “Their answer is do nothing” rhetoric by endorsing four concrete proposals – more concrete than anything President Obama has yet put forth."

Melissa Clouthier/Pajamas Media:

"It’s good. Cogent, clear, and well-written. She’s got a ghost-writer, say lib operatives. Let’s hope! Does Barack Obama write all his own stuff? Surely, libs jest. His college thesis can’t even be found. Why would anyone quibble that Sarah Palin would have a ghost writer? Probably because she makes sense."

Jay Anderson/Pro Ecclesia:

"Far from 'leaving the room' whenever health care is being discussed (as suggested by certain self-satisfied beltway elitists), the lady has taken her place at the at the head of the table. And when the lady at the head of the table speaks, people listen."

Jack Fowler/The Corner:

"By the way, she's not relenting on blasting "death panels" (and good for her)."

Michael Wolff/Newser:

"The message here is not that Sarah Palin is against the Obama health care legislation, but that she is a considerable force to be reckoned with."

Glenn Reynolds/Instapundit:

"So is this a step up from posting her thoughts on Facebook? Or a step down? The Facebook approach has been working pretty well..."

Hyscience:

"Of course Ambinder isn't the only pundit on the left (or right) to criticize Palin. But I can't help but see a lot of common sense in what she has to say and share her concerns."

Rick Moran/American Thinker Blog:

"Sarah Palin has a good op-ed in the Wall Street Journal today where she identifies the major problem with Obamacare; whatever congress comes up with will have to be implemented by thousands of regulations written by unelected bureaucrats."

Allahpundit/Hot Air:

"If I were a GOP bigwig, I would have finagled her an invite to the speech and seated her in the gallery as a visual reminder — preferably with this article in hand."

Update: Sarah Palin's op-ed is now the most viewed on the Wall Street Journal website.

- JP

More reaction to Sarah Palin's op-ed on tort reform

We covered the first round here. Now for Round Two...

Atlas Shrugs:

"Sarah Palin has just hit on the one issue Obama and his death cult do not want to discuss, and that is tort reform - out of control lawsuits, sky high malpractice insurance, and doctors running more tests than needed just to cover their tails, are all part of the single largest expense in American health care that can easily be remedied."

The Lonely Conservative:

"Sarah Palin must have the most popular Facebook page in America. She’s putting it to good use."

The Crabby Constituent:

"You cannot tell me that this Conservative woman from Alaska is not a threat or a superstar."

Exposing Liberal Lies:

"How the liberals hate this plain-spoken woman who makes so much sense."

American Thinker Blog:

"Fresh from spurring a discussion of end of life issues with her mention of death panels under Obamacare in Facebook, former Governor Sarah Palin (R-Alaska) is at it again."

The Underground Conservative:

"Sarah Palin represents a major threat to elitists of all stripes in the United States in much the same manner that Ronald Reagan did. She has a way of connecting with ordinary, average Americans that few politicians are able to do, and really no one has been able to do since, well, Ronaldus Magnus."

Washington Times:

"When Bob Beckel, uber-Democrat and manager of Walter Mondale's 1984 presidential campaign, agrees on something with outspoken conservative Sarah Palin, last year's Republican nominee for vice president, it's time to take notice."

[...]

"Mrs. Palin and Mr. Beckel agree that health care reform can't move forward unless lawyers have their sails trimmed a bit. They are right."

To borrow a euphemism doctors are fond of using in place of the word "pain" -- that last quote should make Democrats experience some "discomfort."

- JP