Quote of the Day (August 13, 2011)

Palin at Iowa State Fair
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Shane Vander Hart, at Caffeinated Thoughts:

“Alaska Governor Sarah Palin visited the Iowa State Fair yesterday... She had also said to numerous reporters (and supporters) that she hasn’t decided yet... But she was with Becky Beach, a prominent fundraiser in Iowa. A good connection for her to make if a presidential run is in her future.”

- JP

Caffeinated Thoughts: Palin Documentary Sets the Record Straight

"It was well done, and worth the watch."
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Our friend in Iowa Shane Vander Hart was one of the 300 who filled the Pella Opera House for the world premiere of "The Undefeated" while some 700 more people outside made their way to the Molengracht for the post-screening BBQ dinner so well organized by Organize 4 Palin. Here's an excerpt from his review:

I was struck by my emotional reaction to the opening scene. I was angry. I was angry at how Governor Palin and her family was treated. I was angry about how many in the Republican establishment remained silent while she was savaged. I’m not talking about pointing out policy differences or criticizing her record, but rather the personal attacks that she experienced day in and day out after she picked as Senator John McCain’s running mate.

It drove a narrative which in turn distorted her record. That is what this movie is trying to correct. Most of the movie is about her time as Mayor of Wasilla, how she helped to bolster the infrastructure and in doing so, helped to create an environment where small businesses could develop jobs. She did this while cutting taxes.

It showed her as a reformer, unafraid of standing up to Big Oil, and corruption within her own party. She resigned as a oil and gas commissioner out of principle in order to stand up to ethics violations which then Governor Frank Murkowski turned a blind eye to. When she ran for Governor, she not only beat an incumbent Governor in the primary, she then went on to beat former Alaska Governor Tony Knowles.

The movie did a great job pointing out her legislative accomplishments...

[More]

Shane also had the presence of mind to capture most of Gov. Palin's impromptu remarks inside the Opera House as the closing credits rolled by on the screen. You can view that video and read his full review at Caffeinated Thoughts.

- JP

Quote of the Day (June 18, 2011)

Sarah Palin’s 2012 intentions
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Shane Vander Hart, at Caffeinated Thoughts:

“Oh those unnamed sources, they’re so unpredictable. One Republican source said that Palin was expected to announce her intentions next week. Governor Palin said via Twitter, ‘Really? Hmm, guess they forgot to inform me what I’m *expected to do* next wk.’ At least Stacy McCain never burns his sources though, even if they burn him.”

- JP

Shane Vander Hart: Thoughts on the Branstad Endorsement

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Our friend and colleague Shane Vander Hart, who regularly blogs from Iowa at Caffeinated Thoughts, had one of his posts published Monday on the Des Moines Register blog. Although he's a Rod Roberts backer, Shane says he understands Sarah Palin's endorsement of Terry Branstad in the Iowa GOP governor's race:

I’m not buying into the meme that Governor Palin committed political suicide... People were saying that after she endorsed Rand Paul in the Kentucky Senate Primary, and he won in a landslide. Obviously Republican voters in Kentucky disagree with that sentiment. Even James Dobson (who endorsed Vander Plaats) changed his endorsement from Trey Grayson to Rand Paul.

You hear it from some Chuck DeVore supporters in the California Senate Primary when she endorsed Carly Fiorina. Fiorina may not be as conservative as DeVore, but she is conservative. The latest poll shows her leading by double digits the RINO in the race, Tom Campbell (who is also ahead of DeVore in the polls). Should DeVore win that primary it is unlikely he could beat Senator Barbara Boxer.

So cries that she “sold out” don’t wash with me. Sure she campaigned for Senator John McCain, did you really think she wouldn’t? She was also one of the first to endorse Doug Hoffman, the Conservative Party candidate in the NY 23 special election since Dede Scozzafava was more liberal than the Democratic candidate. She’s been making a number of good endorsements. Also, she didn’t endorse the incumbent pro-abortion Republican Senator in her own state of Alaska, Lisa Murkowski, she endorsed Joe Miller instead.

Shane points out that even though Terry Branstad isn't the most conservative candidate in the race, he advocates cutting taxes and state spending, is prolife, and is a far sight better than incumbent Chet Culver, which is why Shane says he would have no problem voting for Branstad in the general should he win the GOP primary:

So is her political career in shambles? How many people have said that in the past, but she keeps coming back? If Branstad wins I doubt this hurts her at all. While she likely wouldn’t be supported by campaign surrogates, it could win her some favor by those who voted for him. I also think most people don’t base their choice on who they will vote for President on an endorsement made two years before. That would be pretty shallow. Those who are saying they won’t vote for her (if she even runs) because of this, likely weren’t going to vote for her anyway.

But, I think ultimately this endorsement was about seeing Chet Culver get beat, not a possible 2012 run. Otherwise I think she would have been more invested in it.

Shane's bottom line: He's "not going to throw Sarah Palin under the bus" because of an endorsement he doesn't agree with. If only more who consider themselves conservatives were capable of such rational thought. Read his full post here.

Related: Dave Davidson at The Iowa Republican:

Nothing indicates that Vander Plaats will win the nomination on Tuesday night. For all of the persistence that Vander Plaats has shown, he needs more than Chuck Norris. He needs a miracle.

- JP

Sarah Palin: Caffeinated Conservative of the Year

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Our friend and colleague Shane Vander Hart reports that readers of his excellent Caffeinated Thoughts website have voted to give Sarah Palin the blog's 2009 Caffeinated Conservative award:

"We had several nominated by our contributors for this most coveted prize: Glenn Beck, Congressman Ron Paul (*cough, cough*, thanks Emily), Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, Edwin Feulner (of The Heritage Foundation), but one came in on top after you, our readers, had the chance to vote on the nominees. Former Governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin, was selected by you with 45% of the vote."

Shane lists the reasons why The Arctic Fox won the award in his full post here.

- JP