Palin's 2012 Playbook

Some advice for the Alaska governor should she seek her party's nomination in four years.

By Karen Breslau | Newsweek Web Exclusive

Nov 5, 2008

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When conservative leaders gather in Virginia on Thursday to assess the fallout from the presidential election and start planning their comeback, they will also be taking a closer look at their new potential standard-bearer, Sarah Palin. Most national conservatives have never met the Alaska governor selected as John McCain's running mate on Aug. 29. Says longtime conservative activist Richard Viguerie. "She doesn't know us and we don't know her."

Despite Palin's newfound national profile, she is anything but a sure shot to become the frontrunner for a wounded GOP in 2012. Other young, charismatic Republican governors are waiting in the wings: Louisiana's Bobby Jindal and South Carolina's Mark Sanford are already both well known in the conservative movement and are sure to give Palin tough competition. And former Arkansas governor and 2008 dark horse Mike Huckabee (though he's now detoured from politics with his talk show on the FOX News Channel) is also a potential contender. Palin herself said during an impromptu Election Day interview at the Mocha Moose in Wasilla that, "if there is a role in national politics, it won't be so much partisan." That could come as a surprise to the conservatives surveyed by NEWSWEEK, who say Palin has at least an even shot for 2012. Here, a NEWSWEEK playbook for Palin, should she want to gun for the top job next time around:

Make Friends With Your Friends
When Ronald Reagan lost the GOP nomination to Gerald Ford in 1976, he wasted no time becoming the 1980 frontrunner by setting up his own PAC, and raising money for other GOP candidates around the country. You could start by helping Republican candidates raise money in the 2010 midterms, a strategy that would keep your name in the headlines and at the same time, allow you to put a few favors in the bank, which any good pol knows can be drawn on later. "The more candidates you raise money for the more supporters you have down the line," says Keith Appell, a Washington, D.C.-based conservative public-relations consultant.

Get to Know the People Who ' ve Been Singing Your Praises
The social and conservative leaders who gushed all over television about Palin in the days following her nomination had never met her. They still haven't. Palin, you need to meet with movement leaders at the local, state and national levels, as well as at the grassroots: first to thank them for their support in 2008, and then to butter them up for 2012. You can start with an appearance at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) held every February in Washington, and then hit the circuit for the rest of the year. And don't just give the speech and run for the airport. Stick around and schmooze. "Politics is about human relationships," says Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, a prominent conservative Christian think tank. "While I think she has a lot of promise, I have never even talked to her. I'd have to gauge her values and intentions. I'd caution anyone to think that just because she held the number two spot she is qualified for number one." And don't forget "Focus on the Family" founder James Dobson. The Christian network is a perfect venue for your base.

Earn a Gravitas Merit Badge — or Two, or Three
Yeah, the Tina Fey thing was fun while it lasted, but don't let yourself be defined as a national laughingstock. Publish a piece in The Wall Street Journal Op Ed page next month, outlining the road back for Republicans. Don't point fingers at McCain—that would be unseemly. Instead, "be substantive and positive," says D.C. media strategist Keith Appell. "Come out against any more bailout packages. Lay out an agenda, talk about an across-the-board tax cut. She could call it the 'Joe the Plumber' bill." After studying the issues (really, really hard) show up on a Sunday morning show. Get your sea legs; do one a quarter, says Appell, so that it doesn't become such a breath-baiting rarity. Go on the speaking circuit. Join trade delegations. No, you can't see China from Alaska, but you can learn an awful lot by using that new passport. Often.

One thing our experts agree on is that Palin should not appoint herself to Ted Stevens' seat, should Alaska's senior senator—convicted last week in a federal corruption trial be forced out. First, it would make her a Washington "insider", thus diluting her charm. Second, with the exception of 2008, Americans rarely elect a senator to the White House. So Palin, keep on being governor. Get re-elected in 2010. Establish your credentials on the "three legs of the conservative stool," advises Wendy Wright, president of Concerned Women for America, a conservative group. "Become an authority on economic conservatism, foreign policy and defense issues and social issues."

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Posted By: Mwalimu @ 11/15/2009 1:22:07 PM

So Sarah Palin has to get featured in the Christian network because after all she is supposed to be a Christian.

Very well. Let's look at health care reform and ask a simply question. What would Jesus do? Jesus healed the sick. Never once did he ask about health insurance coverage. Jesus told the rich man to "sell all you have and give to the poor." St. Paul writes that "the love of money is the root of all evil." Our current system of for-profit health care, which robs you when you are will and drops you when you get sick - is an affront to Christianity.

And what can we say about the title of Sarah Palin's book, Going Rogue. A rogue by definition is a cheat, a crook, a liar, a fraud, and a hypocrite. A rogue finds nothing wrong with bearing false witness - and this is precisely what Sarah Palin did when she accused Obama of pulling the plug on grandma or setting up government death panels. (Actually for proft health insurance companies employe death panels to cut off treatments to people who are too sick to cure profitably.)

I am sure various so-called "Christian" groups will welcome Sarah Palin with open arms. But remember Jesus said "Beware of those who come in my name and are not of me."That very definitely applies to all the Christian groups mentioned in this article as well as Sarah Palin. They are nothing but a bunch of God frauds who steal in the name of the Lord.
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Posted By: jlgab @ 11/15/2009 12:51:15 PM

Palin is a fraud and an idiot - she would have served well under Bush! Africa - Heellloooo? She needs to worry about how she mis-billed her fellow Alaskans for her and her families time and travel. Troopergate wouldn't have happened if she wouldn't have let her personal problems get in the way of her professional decisions. She couldn't even tell the truth about something as simple as the sale of the State of Alaska's airplane. Palin admitted to smoking marijuana which made me wonder after she bombed her interview with Katie Couric so bad, had Palin JUST smoked some of that wacky weed? Palin should have stayed home to tend to her pregnant unwed minor teenage daughter instead of traveling the US and patting herself on the back every step of the way. Where O Where will she do her shopping now? When O When will she drive on her Bridge to Nowhere? Palin should not throw stones while living in a glass house.

She might have been able to gain some credibility had she not allowed herself to be pimped out so quick and easily by McCain's camp to do the dirty work by bashing Obama without merit. And now she publicly blames McCain's camp for 'MAKING' her bash Obama. My My MY what a web we weave. Funny what comes around goes around, what is more funny, is the bashing she is getting is coming from her own party! Gotta love it!

Palin is so self-absorbed, it is sickening to listen to her give herself a pat on her own back every time she talks. She doesn't even allow Todd so answer questions posed to him.
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Posted By: jlgab @ 11/15/2009 12:50:39 PM

People were dumb enough to re-elect the dumbest president ever who lied to start a war, which has killed thousands of our military men and women, therefore people are definitely dumb enough to vote for Palin for any political office.

Know this Palin idiots - Biden could have made that Lipstick-B___ cry if he would have wanted to. She knew NOTHING about foreign policies - well, she didn't know much of domestic policies either. All she can do is memorize and deliver lines.

When a person enters the political arena, by now they should know everything is up for grabs, including personal matters. The Republicans don't want their personal issues public but they love to point fingers at the Democrats and Liberals. What comes around goes around, unfortunately GOP's haven't figured out they are NOT perfect and they are NOT above rules and laws.

Interesting how Palin's family problems and disfunctionalism was not supposed to be questioned. When a person enters the political arena, by now they should know everything is up for grabs, including personal matters. The Republicans don't want their personal issues public but they love to point fingers at the Democrats and Liberals. What comes around goes around, unfortunately GOP's haven't figured out they are NOT perfect and they are NOT above rules and laws. Why is it okay for a bunch of LOSERS to rub Bill's actions in Hillary's face or why is it okay for a bunch of LOSERS to ask Chelsea about her fathers actions? Why does this not fall into the category of personal issues that should not be discussed in public?

Know this - if Chelsea would have gotten knocked-up as a minor teenager the Republicans would have plastered her all over the news - TV, Radio, and Internet. Make no mistake Republicans, especially you right-wing fanatics, you don't know how to play nice. For once in your lives be fair, call a spade a spade.

Let's hope Alaska gets reimbursed for all her families travels before she leaves. She is/WAS good at pointing fingers at others but boy whiny Grandma Palin can't take it when you point a finger at her.