Clarification on Newt's views about Gov. Sarah Palin

[Newt Gingrich]

Newt is a supporter of Governor Palin and strongly advocated for Senator McCain to add her to the ticket in 2008.  He continues to be a strong supporter and on CBS’ Face the Nation, this Sunday, Newt said Governor Palin will be “a formidable force” in the future and that she “is a real asset to the Republican Party.”  He also said she would be one of many voices that will play a major role in shaping the Republican Party’s future.

-Matt Scofield
Director of Online Communications
Gingrich Communications
Newt.org

[Judy]

You are correct.  However, he only mentioned her name AFTER he was questioned about her.  Earlier in the program he listed 5 or 6 Republicans that had a future in the party...all were men...he never mentioned Governor Palin until he was asked about her.  Jindal could hardly get her name out of his mouth. I was very upset with both of them.  How could they forget to mention her after they had just been to the Governor's conference and she was our VP candidate?  Doesn't make sense...back tp the "Good Old Boy" club.

[JeffS]

I think the current perception of Governor Palin is that she has a naiveté with regard to politics in general and a certain amount of that in policy as well. Mind you, I really like and am a supporter of the Governor.

At this moment it isn't a matter of what's true but a matter of perception. Governor Palin has what we should hope for in most politicians, common sense instinct about what's right and not expedient. This did not translate to the national stage. No one recognized this skill. While the Katy Couric's were trying to prove that the Governor was a novice, instead of trying to disprove critics, it should have been the thrust of the Palin portion of the campaign; that she has more common sense than the sum total of DC.

That's not my point other than focusing on perception. At the point that the campaign ended, it is not up to Messer's Jindahl and Gingrich to tout her but for Mrs. Palin to capitalize on the opportunity and build the reputation she needs and to prove that the perceptions of her naiveté were misguided. As it stands, she carries the unearned tag of being akin to a Dan Quayle (who, himself, didn't earn his title).

Add further to this, the perception of the 8 years of the Bush administration is one that was lead by a fratboy baffoon. Again, unearned. Still, with the perception of a Republicans administration that seemingly failed and led by a suggested fool, that Governor Palin seemed less skilled in the finer points of political double talk and was absent the encyclopedic knowledge of all things interviewers asked; it doesn't carry well with the public. Even if the perception of both the adminstration and the Governor are false, the peception carries the day anyway.

It might be a point of frustration that the party does not pick up the Governor's fallen pieces but it is up to the Governor to prove herself. She has time to do so and the position to be able to do it. But it is up to her. I would not find fault or frustration in her absence of mention of future Republican leaders in those that did not mention her.    

[John Ansell]

Are you sexist or something?  Newt was way out in front of the pack on supporting Palin.  I would go so far that he didn't mention Palin when going over the 5 or 6 evil "Men" because it should have been a given on how he feels.  Give it a rest.

[Judy]

Jeffs:   We can all have our opinions about potential leaders, but in my opinion it is not good for the party when only male potential leaders are mentioned and Gov. Palin.s is not included.  We have a long way to go before the next election and to consider who is and who is not qualified, but at this time Gov. Palin deserves our respect as a potential leader.  After all she is a national figure, a Governor and was our party's VP candidate.  You men need to try and get a better understanding why women do not and will not like exclusion of Gov. Palin's name whenever potential leaders are mentioned.      

[Judy]

John:  You sound so angry.  I only want success for our party and I understand that probably in the long run the Face the Nation interview means very little.  However, there were several hundred comments regarding the Face the Nation interview on another blog that were very similar to the point I am making. In fact, on several blogs I visited this was the discussion on Sunday all with the same view I am making.  It is unfortunate that you are the angry one John, when all I am trying to express is we have to be more aware of what younger people and women are thinking and how they view what our leaders say.  In no way did I think the "men" Newt named were not potential leaders or their names should not have been mentioned...it was just the exclusion of Gov. Palin's name that was the problem with me and hundreds of other women.        

[John Ansell]

Sorry Judy, I'm not angry. I'm just trying to say that you're beating a dead horse when there is no dead horse.  Newt is a fan of Palin.  I agree with you that the GOP should bring in more women of power or else they face the charge of being the "Guy. Only. Party" but to put blame on Newt for not mentioning Sarah at the beginning of ONE interview is a stretch.  

Now look, I'm not angry  See?

[Judy]

John:  You are so cute and such nice teeth too.  I love Newt and have followed him for years and will continue to do so.  I use to tell my husband I only hoped I lived long enough to see the Republicans control the White House and the other 2 houses.  Newt made my dream come true.

[John Ansell]

Why thanks Judy.  The people that I'm really mad at are the vile campaign staff of John McCain that started to trash her.  Truth be told, Palin kept the race close.  Looking back on it, If McCain went to a rally he didn't bring in the crowds.  Palin, on the other hand, packed the house.  That's why McCain and Palin did so many joint rallies because McCain's camp knew that she is the reason they even stood a chance.  The media is also to blame for the vile coverage.  Why?  Because they feared her.  She's on her own now and I predict we'll see new and improved Candidate that will knock the socks off the media. What was the name of that one news anchor that used to do the morning show on NBC?  Began with a "K" I think.  She has some nerve questioning Palin's qualifications.  

[JeffS]

Judy, I'm a little disconcerted with the intimation of 'you men'. Obviously, I'm not a woman so I can only understand what I know from the view of another womans eyes and allow me the opportunity to be explained a perspective I ostensibly would not be able to have. Still, I think the position that posits that a man doesn't, at a logical level, get why a Governor Palin being left from the conversation is frustrating assumes that I have no perspective or empathy. I may well have more than the average 'guy'. I was raised by a strong, dynamic and now quite successful mother. One that taught me much...about everything. The point being, I can;t see throug your eyes but I reasonably understand that the underrepresentation of woman in the party is a situation in need of rectifying.

However, I stand by my assertion made in my post. While agree with your postion about women being important to the future leadership, I don't know that Governor Palin is that person at this moment. That she was the VP choice and one that I happily accepted and rallied around, does not promise her a prominent position. It is to be earned. I don't know that that threshold has been crossed at this point. She is a respected leader in the party but she may need time to better prove herself in the rigors if politics before she is entered in to the same breath as more established leaders.