Alaska GOP’s Old Chair is Everything the New Chair is Not– Qualified and Connected
01 May 2012 12 Comments
From my friend and fellow Republican Andrew Halcro
“Thank you for your time this morning. You’ve been the worst audience I’ve ever spoken to.”
Andrew Halcro addressing the Alaska Republican Convention 4/28/12
May 1, 2012: There is that age old axiom that goes a little something like this; be careful of what you wish for because you might just get it. The Ron Paul devotees, who were successful in their second attempt to seize control of the Alaska Republican Party (ARP) this past weekend, should pay close attention.
After experiencing first hand (not nearly as bad as Sen. Murkowski & Barasso) the extreme rudeness and general cluelessness of the new wave of Republican partiers, it makes me rest just a little bit easy knowing they won’t be going very far.
Capitalizing on the perfect mixture of disenfranchised Ron Paul presidential campaign supporters and Tea Party activists, the tide turned on Saturday when the election of a new ARP Chairman ushered in an era of uncertainty.
“It’s reminiscent of when the Moral Majority took over in the eighties,” a longtime Republican leader told me on the condition of anonymity.
It is hard to believe it had been four years since the last time the Ron Paul faithful tried to gain control of the ARP. During the state convention back in 2008 their attempt to oust Party Chairman Randy Ruedrich was denied by their lack of understanding party rules and their inability to piece together a coalition beyond legalizing marijuana and repealing the Patriot Act.
This year they were more organized, they were more vocal and they were more rude.
With Ruedrich deciding not to seek another term, the power vacuum was filled by so called anti-establishment Republicans, who have long felt their ideas; beliefs and contributions have gone unappreciated. “This was a case of being seduced on an emotional level, not a practical level,” I was told by a veteran Republican.
In the end, sixty six year old Russ Millette, an avid Ron Paul supporter whom very few Republicans know, was elected the new ARP party chairman. Millette apparently knows very little about the party and more importantly, the candidates or the donors. This doesn’t bode well for the strength of the party.
For the last decade under Ruedrich, the ARP has thrived. Making gains in both in voter registration and statewide organization, Ruedrich was able to maintain the uneasy alliance between business and social conservatives. He was incredibly efficient in recruiting strong candidates, planning strategy and keeping the coffers full. Even those who have harshly criticized him, including myself, do it with clear recognition the guy knows how to win.
Ruedrich is everything Millette is not, qualified and connected.
The passion of the Paul
Ron Paul has become more of a cult than a candidate since he first burst on the scene back in 2008. His followers are passionate about Paul’s isolationist position regarding everything from free trade to foreign policy and his libertarian views on social issues. But even given his impressive ability to reach younger demographics along with staunch older conservatives, it hasn’t delivered him a single primary victory.
The challenge ahead for the ARP under Millette’s leadership is he is going to need leaders who have victories under their belts and know how to win the tough races, because 2014 is going to be a barn burner. In two years both the governor’s seat and a U.S. Senate seat are up for grabs. Ruedrich was more than battle tested before he became party chair.
Paul supporters certainly have the capacity to spur a philosophical revolt, but they don’t have the capacity to build and finance the ARP and its candidates.
According to ARP rules, Millette won’t ascend to the chairmanship until January 2013. During the next eight months, Millette will be given a seat on the party finance committee and will be responsible for helping raise money for the party…not Ron Paul. This is going to prove interesting, as Millette has reportedly said that raising money for Paul was going to be his primary mission.
Ahead of Saturday’s election, in an attempt to avoid any ideas a new chairman might have for the for the cash the ARP had on hand, party officials transferred $100,000 into an account controlled by the Capitol City Republicans Women’s Club. This means the party starts with bare cupboards as Millette takes his seat on the finance committee and a general election just six months away.
But even with the election of Millette, the new wave of passionate Paul fever and the chaotic weekend of Republican speakers being treated rudely, these folks have done little more than make the ARP completely irrelevant.
You ain’t so big now, are ya?
For a political party to remain relevant they must have resources, especially money. With the all the appearance that the state GOP just imploded and now rests in the hands of untested rebels, donors have other places to park their cash instead of with the ARP.
With the Citizens United decision by the United States Supreme Court, donors are no longer restricted to contributing solely through the traditional party structure. Individuals, organizations even companies can now donate directly to Super PACs, or other third party groups designed to funnel money to candidates or advertise on their behalf as allowed by law. So while candidates will still get their donations in the form of cash donations and supportive third party ads, the old school party structure is what will be starved.
A perfect example of the vast power of third party efforts is Alaska’s U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski’s 2010 general election write in victory over GOP nominee Joe Miller. Murkowski had no party support and yet with the aide of third party groups and bi-partisan volunteers, pulled off the greatest political comeback in modern history.
The bottom line is with the new campaign finance laws; political parties as a fundraising source have given up the higher ground to third party groups.
These groups are more focused, have lower overhead and can offer significant support without any ideological litmus tests that often burden party endorsements.
As a result of the Alaska GOP’s meltdown this past weekend, some are anticipating the flight of donations past the ARP to new groups designed to support Alaskan candidates directly.
This weekend’s chaotic party transition has some lawmakers worrying about relying on party funding due to the upheaval. When there is a lack of certainty in politics, there is lack of certainty in fundraising.
While Paul supporters may have won the battle, it remains to be seen if they will actually win their long running anti-establishment war. The core of the ARP, the Central Committee, is still in tact to help keep things balanced.
Bristol Palin: My mother was a good choice for vice president in 2008
30 Apr 2012 17 Comments
Bristol Palin is defending her mother as a good choice for vice president in 2008, as Mitt Romney steps up his search for a running mate.
The choice of Sarah Palin, at the time a little-known governor of Alaska in her first term, as John McCain’s vice presidential pick four years ago has been a hot topic of discussion as Romney searches in earnest for his No. 2.
In a new post today on Palin’s blog, the oldest daughter of the losing-GOP vice presidential nominee writes that it’s “ridiculous” to say Romney should avoid McCain’s “mistake,” saying there is “no evidence to back up this conventional wisdom.”
“Mom answered the call to serve her country, energized the base, and inspired millions. Plus, she did it with good humor and grace. I don’t know what else she could’ve reasonably be expected to do,” Bristol Palin, writes.
Ron Paul takeover of the Alaska Republican Party
29 Apr 2012 64 Comments
This is a tale of deception and ignorance.
Alaska State Convention:
Elected State Convention Delegates gathered at the Anchorage Hilton Hotel from April 26-28 for the 2012 Republican State Convention. The State Convention will adopt the 2012 Alaska Republican Platform & Resolutions and the ARP Rules. The State Officers & National Convention Delegates bound by the March 6 PPP vote will be elected. Article V of the ARP Rules provide the process for the State Convention. Here are the RULES of convention
I didn’t get to join in on the GOP activities until late Friday afternoon. Why? I had to work my day job. Besides, I wasn’t a delegate this time around! I and a couple other workerbee ladies decided that we were going to sit this one out and hang at the Alaska Federation of Republican Woman’s booth to be in a position to see and hear about all the day’s events from lots of different sources. Yes, Republicans like to wear lot’s of political swag! We had elephants on scarves, key chains, jackets, vests and pins! Oh, it didn’t take me long to spot a piece of trash hanging around since 2008. You guessed it! There was a pink McCain/Palin pin. I paid $2.00 and I quickly tossed it in the trash! It was worth it to me to get it out of circulation!
There are so many things that do happen regularly at convention that should bring anyone who takes time to participate; a sense of unity and renewal. Districts coming together and finally having an opportunity to meet people you may have never met in person, but have had contact by Facebook, Skype or email. There has been coordination and cooperation between membership on all sorts of state wide issues and events in the last two years. Republicans in all parts of Alaska break out into committee to discuss the party platform and how or if anything should be changed or amended.
My favorite part of a political gathering like this is the exchange of information on how to serve our respective communities and of course, all those creative fundraising ideas. Remember, this is not a regular year, it is a presidential campaign year. Let me say that when I first saw that there was an insurgence of energetic people I thought we should at least at the local level embrace these new people. Which leads me to the rest of the story…
I arrived around 4pm Friday at the Hilton Anchorage where this event was taking place. I was staying at the Ramada a block or two down 3rd. On my walk from the Ramada to the Hilton I passed a few Ron Paul people aggressively waving signs in your face as you walk by. I was told that there was a march heading our way. Alaska Democrats with signs of their own. They read, “Republicans are waging a war on women”. Nationally the Democrats have been ambushing Republicans almost daily with topics as varied as mammograms and day care. If Republicans are truly engaged in a “war on women,” as the Democrats claim, I don’t see it! What I see is a series of statements by Republicans that are in most cases taken out of context by some media and Dems. Except of course anything spoken byRush Limbaugh. He is on a war path against women, all women, any woman! Just look at his history with relationships.
I make my way into the hotel and I found the Federation’s table situated directly across from main convention hall. Oh, goody, I thought to myself, NO, I actually said it out loud! “Oh, goody, we are not going to miss a thing!”
And, we didn’t miss ’a thing’! There was a movement afoot in Alaska’s GOP. I personally call it a cult based on the conversations and discussions that I’ve had with what most of us call “The Ron Paul People”. These folks are in my opinion, the same one’s who have a tendency to be sycophants, useful idiots, blind followers! These are whackadoodles organizing to support another whackadoodle! And, when I say organize, I mean nationally sending out emails with instructions on how to interrupt and take over the convention to essentially give Ron Paul the delegates.
Here is an email that was intercepted from the Ron Paul organization to its Alaska surrogates directing them on how to take over the Alaska Republican Party. These tactics are reprehensible.
Note: IT WAS MENTIONED AS STATED IN A COMMENT BELOW THE INDIVIDUAL TO WHOM THIS EMAIL IS SENT IS NOT TO ANYONE IN RP ALASKA MEMBERSHIP
From: Mike Cook <alaskansforpaul@gmail.com>
Date: April 26, 2012 7:36:21 PM AKDT
To: alaskansforpaul@gmail.com
Subject: Delegate instructions – do not forward
Alaska Ron Paul Delegates and Alternates,
We have 48 hours left until the state convention. We have 3 goals over the next 48 hours:
1. Make sure all of Dr. Paul’s delegates and alternates show up at convention.
2. Educate all of our first timers on how to outmaneuver and confuse the Santorum, Gingrich, and Romney delegates.
3. Elect Ron Paul supporters to fill ALL 24 of Alaska’s national convention delegate slots.
There areas keys to success
1. This is a numbers game. If more of Dr. Paul’s supporters turn out than any other candidate’s delegates, we control them. If more of our people show up, we take over the state convention, we change the rules, and we take over the Republican Party. Turnout is key.
2. We vote as a block and never deviate from the voting instructions dispensed by our command center. On every vote, we vote together. We will be informing you via text message on how you need to vote on every vote that comes up. If you have not sent us your cell phone number you will have with you on Saturday, please do so right away. The Santorum, Gingrich, and Romney supporters will be splitting their votes because they will not be communicating with each other like we will be doing. Our internal numbers show that if Santorum, Gingrich, and Romney delegates vote as a block, they have a majority at the state convention. So it is absolutely crucial that we use whatever tactics necessary to promote division and confusion amongst their supporters. We promote confusion and division by:
a. Gaining the trust of our opponents’ supporters and taking advantage of their ignorance so that we can gain control of them and tell them how they have to vote. For example if you are talking to Santorum supporters, tell them you are also pro-life and agree with a lot of what he has to say. Tell them you used to support him but now that he is out of the race you are supporting the only constitutional conservative remaining in the race. Tell them whatever they need to hear so that you gain their trust and establish credibility with them. Once you’ve done that you will control them.
b. Deception and Misinformation – use any means necessary to divide and conquer our opponents.
c. Prolonging the convention through parliamentary maneuvers. The longer the convention goes, the better for us. Our opposition will have a majority at the start of the convention but as the day goes on their delegates will have to leave because their baby sitter is only scheduled to watch the kids until 3pm or because they have dinner reservations, or because they just get too frustrated because the convention is taking so long. We will wait them out. We are disciplined and organized while they are weak willed and lazy. So the longer the convention goes, more and more of them will leave. All of a sudden what started out as a majority for them dwindles away and the balance of power shifts to us. We will use every parliamentary tactic in the book to prolong the meeting. Dr. Paul’s campaign has sent national lawyers who will run circles over the local Alaska lawyers. Our lawyers are ready to sue anyone who tries to get in our way.
After we take over the Alaska convention, we will be able to nominate Dr. Paul from the floor at the Republican National Convention. We will have a floor fight at the national convention and when it’s all said and done, Dr. Paul will be the nominee. Despite what the Republican Party wants us to believe, this election is not about beating Obama. This election is about cleansing the Republican Party. The poor excuse for Americans that support Santorum, Gingrich, and Romney need to be run out of the Republican Party. Once we have cleansed the Republican Party and President Paul is elected, we will end America’s wars of aggression, we will put an end to American imperialism, and we will end the Fed!
DO NOT FORWARD THIS EMAIL. The element of surprise is critical. Our opponents don’t know what is about to hit them so they will not be able to defend themselves against our superior convention organization. By the end of the day Saturday, the Santorum, Gingrich, and Romney elements within the Republican Party will be cleansed from the Republican Party and we will deliver all 24 of Alaska’s national delegates to Dr. Paul!
In Liberty,
Mike Cook
I have been told by those who have given their best to the party that they’ve learned through the years that to stop this kind of nefarious behavior one must turn the light on the perpetrator. Secret political maneuverings soon disappear once those responsible are identified and brought to task.
It is a fact that Alaska’s delegates do not carry any authority to change the outcome to who receives the party’s nomination at the national convention. That is of no value to these people.
With that I’m just sitting there minding my own business chatting with the other ladies about our fine jewelry selection when some guy who I had already noticed was just walking up and down the hall carrying a binder with Ron Paul stickers all over it, as thick as 3 layers! This guy shouted out “hey, a star pointing down is a pentagram, it’s of the devil!” So, if any of you know what I’ve been doing at the Alaska State Fair for the last 23 years you’d know that I had to talk to this guy. Even though, I promised I was going to shut my mouth and just observe. This is the first of many times I couldn’t just observe!..
So, I let him try to explain why all his pins with a star are pinned upside down. He said he’s a Christian and evoked the name of Christ when ever he could. He tried to make his case saying a star, any star that points down is pagan. FYI, stay away from using words like ALWAYS and NEVER when trying to make your case. I simply asked him ” How does this affect your salvation?” That pretty much stopped him in his tracks on that subject. But this guy was looking for someone to spew to, I listened for a while. Between my answers were “yes, ma’am”. He was nice enough and some of his rants were justified, but, most were total crazy talk! The guy is a 911 conspiracy believer, that is his true endeavor, to spread the conspiracy theory of deceit by our nation’s government . I said, “Alright, if you want to believe such nonsense it is still legal, the government has not called Marshall law, yet.” From there this guy would pass by us dozens of times an hour.
As the evening progressed the delegates and alternates were gathering for the banquet and guest speakers. Because we were not delegates we were not able to enter any of the meeting rooms. And, because armed guards were stationed at every door! So, we had to wait to hear from others or sometimes the events were televised and shown down the hall in a room made available. The ugly and ignorant of these Ron Paul people was on display in a very big way Friday night. People milling around wearing tags like WIN. So, I asked what does WIN ‘really’ mean? A lady very honestly said that she’s a captain of a group, and that she’s in charge of texting these people to give them a yes/no on the votes and to que individuals to act. Later that evening….
The plot thickens, during dinner there were several speakers from districts talking about general political topics. Later our sitting Senator Lisa Murkowski got up and headed to the podium. She was only going to be introducing the keynote speaker. All of the sudden a woman appeared she stood on her chair and was yelling out to the Senator “You’re a little Hitler” I tried to speak to you 9 years ago, you shunned me”. And, of course Senator Murkowski was unmoved and handled it by the accounts I heard with class and dignity. The only thing is that it showed the visitor to Alaska what a bunch of buffoons us Alaskans could be. The Republican Ron Paul ones, of course. But, that’s not what he’ll take back with him to his home state.
Anyway, on Saturday some people from the RP movement approached Lisa to apologize for that person’s behavior. I was standing right next to her, in fact. So on that she was asked to speak again to the delegation. Some of us were very leery that would be a good idea. An older woman who Lisa was quite fond of said to her that this action is putting her out there, again to have someone take a shot at her wasn’t necessary at this point in convention process. But, as it turned out Lisa Murkowski is indeed a class act and a true Alaskan leader who knows the value of people having passion for politics. She simply made a point that we all have more in common than we may think! Convention people sometime leave broken or think they don’t matter to the process. She said, everyone matters, and we need to have your input. She appreciates the passion and zeal from the RP people but it has to be positive, not combative.
And, finally from the bully file.
A friend and I stepped into the room where the proceedings were being televised. Remember that guy with the stickers on his binder? Well, he was in there ranting and to nobody in general! He started to recant his story about former President George Bush being part of the Illuminati. He said he had a letter. My friend and webradio co/host asked from where? he said, Washington DC, ma’am. Then she asked from who? He said, I can’t tell you that. He might be murdered! I said, is he a 911 conspiracy person too?” Out of nowhere this guy who was 6’2 steps right in front of me with his chest popped out and aggressively says, “Hey woman, what’s wrong with someone who believes in the 911 conspiracy theory? I looked up and said “quite a bit, actually. And FYI, I wasn’t talking to you sir, step back, please!!” He retreated and went back to his dark, pathetic corner of the room. I realized I should have called for security, I did feel threatened for a minute!
Reviewing some the events of the weekend with others it’s clear there is some history to this kind of thing. Where these movements roll over everyone and get into leadership positions and after all the fun and games are over and the real work begins, they are never heard of again! So, as it turned out, the outcome of the divisive and deceptive movement of Ron Paul followers is that the Alaska Republican Party has a new chairman, a Sarah Palin, Ron Paul follower with no real experience running anything, let alone a political party.
To confirm that this group is completely out of touch with reality of Alaska’s political culture, is when a friend was speaking with one of this people they made a statement that Governor Leman as in, former Lt. Governor Loren Leman, is a good man. Indeed, he is a good man, but he’s NEVER been the Governor! So, there’s the tale of a fractured Alaska Republican Party, now you know!
This is currently NOT my Alaska Republican Party.
Marco Rubio is this year’s Sarah Palin.
25 Apr 2012 10 Comments
Originally appeared on Slate
Marco Rubio is this year’s Sarah Palin. As a possible vice presidential pick, he is popular with the grassroots. He is an envoy to a key part of the electorate and has crossover political appeal. He has successfully bucked his party establishment, and those who have seen him work say he’s skilled. He’s an easy and talented campaigner, and he’d wow them in Tampa the way Palin did in St. Paul, Minn. He is also fundamentally at odds with his potential running mate’s message and criteria for his vice president.
Mitt Romney is the candidate of executive experience. It’s not just that he was a “business guy” for 25 years. He was a business guy who made tough decisions. He told us this often during the primaries. Romney’s key critique of President Obama is that he lacks such experience. In evaluating possible veeps, Romney has said, above all else, he wants to pick someone who can step into the job if necessary. That means Romney’s No. 2 must have the same kind of experience–or at least some of it. Maybe just a hint? A thimble? Marco Rubio, at age 40, has none. (Unless someone counts two years as a part-time city commissioner.)
Mitt Romney isn’t the only one who praises executive experience. Republicans have long heralded that quality. It’s why so many Republicans liked governors and former governors like Mitch Daniels, Chris Christie, and Jeb Bush. Lamar Alexander cited the quality in his endorsement of Romney. So did Sen. Ron Johnson. It was perhaps the talking point for the various legislators and luminaries who have endorsed Romney. Gov. Christie, who is often cited by Republicans as the party’s expert on leadership, goes on about the executive temperament rather extensively: “Let’s be very leery, very wary of sending another member of Congress to the White House. Now see members of Congress, they can be OK, but they don’t know the first thing most of the time about using executive authority. They don’t know the first thing about getting things done.”
Experience making tough calls was the key criteria George W. Bush used to pick Dick Cheney. Yesterday, Cheney, who has been involved in several vice presidential selections, offered his views: “The single most important criteria has to be the capacity to be president.” Cheney said “talking heads” will call for a vice presidential candidate who’s a woman, Hispanic, or who is from a “big state.” “Those are interesting things to speculate about …. It’s pretty rare that the election turns on those kinds of issues.” Not only is Cheney agreeing with Nate Silver about the politics, but on the merits he would seem to be ruling out Marco Rubio.
You can mount a strong argument that no life experience prepares you for the presidency. Abraham Lincoln, our greatest president, had a relatively thin resume with zero executive experience. (He had even less legislative experience than Rubio and unlike Rubio never rose to be speaker of his legislature.) Problem: This is not the case that Romney has made. He’s made the opposite case.
Of course, Romney does have an out. One of the truths of vice presidential searches is that if you want the job, you should say you don’t want it. The other is that candidates can change the criteria they set for the job when they pick someone who doesn’t meet them. That is what John McCain did with Sarah Palin. During the primary race, McCain prized foreign policy experience above all else. A top attack line against Romney in the opposition file was “Mitt Romney has no foreign policy experience.” It was also McCain’s knock against Obama that he lacked any experience with the wider world. Then McCain picked Palin, who had more executive experience than Barack Obama but no real foreign policy experience, so never mind all that.
Romney has less room to throw his previous convictions overboard, since his opponents have regularly argued that he has a penchant for disposable conviction. One of the open questions of this election is whether voters unhappy about the economy care about this kind of thing. If so, it’s bad news for Romney. In the latest NBC/Wall Street Journal poll, Romney trails the president on whether he is consistent and stands up for his beliefs (41 percent to 30 percent) and being honest and straightforward (37 percent to 30 percent).
Regardless of whether Romney has any intention of picking Sen. Rubio, the courtship offers plenty of political benefit for both men. Rubio gets to raise his profile as a national figure. Romney can ingratiate himself with Florida voters who presumably won’t mind the association (and who perhaps won’t remember the mean things Romney’s spokesperson used to say about Rubio when she worked for one of his opponents). Hispanic voters might be more open to the idea of a Romney candidacy if he shows himself to be carefully considering the softer immigration ideas of a Republican of Cuban heritage.
Picking a vice president is the only presidential-level decision Romney will get to make before Americans vote in November. Romney has argued that his business career gives him special insight and leadership abilities. There are only a few ways to test this thesis. Evaluating his jobs record as a businessman turned governor is one, and evaluating how he makes his first top-level personnel decision is another. Romney has shown a laudable ability to ignore the day-to-day madness of the presidential cycle, keep his eye on what’s important. Romney may face his toughest test yet in avoiding the allure of Marco Rubio.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57421231-503544/marco-rubio-is-this-elections-sarah-palin/
Found Guilty of Abuse Of Power–Sarah Palin Calls The Secret Service Scandal A “symptom of government run amok”
20 Apr 2012 18 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: guilty of abuse of power, politics, sarah palin, scandal, secret service
The White House suggested Friday that Sarah Palin is engaged in a “preposterous” attempt to turn the Secret Service prostitute scandal into a political issue.
“It is preposterous to politicize the Secret Service,” White House press secretary Jay Carney told reporters Friday.
On Thursday, Palin said on Fox News that the scandal is a “symptom of government run amok” and tied it to what she called the president’s “poor management skills.”
“And it’s, like, you know, who’s minding the store around here?” she added.
Palin is among the Republicans who have suggested the Secret Service scandal, along with the recent GSA spending controversy and the revelation of new photographs of American soldiers posing with dead Afghans, reflects poorly on the president. Carney said those critics are “trying to turn these incidents, one that’s still under investigation, into, you know, to political advantage.”
“I think on the face of it, it’s a ridiculous assertion that trivializes both the very serious nature of the endeavor that our military is engaged in in Afghanistan and the very serious nature both of the work that the Secret Service does, the apolitical nature of the institution, the — and the seriousness of the investigation under way with regard to the Secret Service and the military and the incident in Colombia,” he continued.
Palin was asked to comment on the scandal after one of the agents involved was reported to have posted a photograph online of himself guarding Palin when she was the Republican vice presidential nominee along with the comment, “I was really checking her out, if you know what i mean?”
Anyone But Palin!
18 Apr 2012 12 Comments
Beth Myers Will Lead Romney’s Search for a Non-Palin Running Mate
BY ALEXANDER ABAD-SANTOS
Marco, Chris, Bob, and Allen … meet Beth Myers. She’ll be vetting you. Romney announced over the weekend that his long-time aide will be the point person on picking his running mate. Romney told ABC:
I have selected someone who has been an counselor of mine for a number of years, Beth Myers, she was my Chief of Staff when I was governor. I’ve asked her to be the person who oversees the process of the vice presidential selection and vetting an analysis and so she’s begun that process and is putting together the kinds of things you need to do to vet potential candidates.
http://m.theatlanticwire.com/politics/2012/04/beth-myers-will-lead-romneys-search-non-palin-running-mate/51179/
Kardashian, Palin: Same Person?
18 Apr 2012 Leave a Comment
Sarah Palin was a once-in-a-lifetime situation
15 Apr 2012 9 Comments
By Maureen Dowd
“SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE” writers have devastatingly lampooned Mitt Romney as a corny, coreless candidate.
“I don’t think it’s going to be as much fun as 2000 and 2008,” Jim Downey, the show’s inimitable satirist, told me. “When you have an incumbent president, it’s not wholly new. And because of the long Republican primary debate stretch, I’m already tired of Romney. I wish there could be a crazy brokered convention with someone we’ve never heard of to keep it fresh. But you don’t get a gift like Sarah Palin very often, and I’m sure it’ll never happen again.”
You’re telling me.
“Comedy writers are incredibly promiscuous, and we want as many targets as possible,” agreed Seth Meyers, the clever “S.N.L.” head writer and “Weekend Update” anchor. “We really slowed down in the second four years of Bush.”
Stuck with a Tin Man-versus-Spock race, the writers perk up at the thought of Romney’s picking the crackling Chris Christie as his running mate. But Mitt seems too programmed to risk his hard-won chance at the brass ring on a brassy partner who might overshadow him.
Two of the most hallucinatory moments in “S.N.L.” history came in 2008, when Tina Fey’s Sarah Palin and the real Palin sashayed past each other, and when John McCain roguishly appeared in a skit with Fey’s Palin going rogue.
“Sarah Palin was a once-in-a-lifetime situation,” Meyers marveled. “She was incredibly magnetic and came with a built-in catchphrase.”
She, like Joe Biden, inspires what Meyers calls “wet comedy” (as opposed to dry), and they both have what Downey calls “handles,” quirks of speech and personality that both writers and performers can latch onto.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/15/opinion/sunday/dowd-come-back-sarah-palin.html
Off to Arctic Man!
10 Apr 2012 5 Comments
We’re are off for a week to the interior of Alaska to join with thousands of Alaskans at Arctic Man Ski and Sno-Go Classic. This event is one of the largest gatherings in Alaska. Based in the beautiful canyons of Summit, Alaska. The Third Largest City in Alaska for 2 weeks in April! Remember: What Happens at Arctic Man Ends Up On Alaska State Troopers
This is my husband Tom. He’s got the sled and all the gear ready! We’re sponsoring a couple drivers, a boarder and a skier.
2008 Arctic Man Hill X
Gumbel had more choice words about Sarah Palin
09 Apr 2012 8 Comments
By Jack Mirkinson
At least one former “Today” alum was not impressed with the show’s decision to bring in Sarah Palin as a co-host last week.
Bryant Gumbel, who led the show for fifteen years and returned to “Today” for its sixtieth anniversary reunion show, told Howard Kurtz that he was “embarrassed” by the move.
NBC brought in Palin as a response to Katie Couric’s week-long stint on rival “Good Morning America.” It became the most hyped iteration of the long-running morning show wars for some time. “Today” is pulling out all the stops to fend off a resurgent “GMA” in the ratings. Palin’s one-day gig helped top the ABC show. (“Today” also brought back Meredith Vieira, officially dubbing her a “legend.”
Palin was both interview subject and host during her Tuesday appearance, shifting from heated denunciations of Barack Obama to light-hearted conversation with Tori Spelling.
Gumbel had more choice words about the state of the morning shows.
Read More:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mobileweb/2012/04/09/bryant-gumbel-embarrassed-palin-today_n_1411907.html?ref=tw
Recent Comments