NBC’s Harwood: Palin ‘Next to Zero Chance of Being Elected President’
As broadcast news programs over the weekend gave attention to Sarah Palin’s bus tour which was viewed as a possible prelude to a presidential run, NBC correspondent John Harwood had one of the most negative views of the former Alaska governor’s chances of being elected President as he appeared on Sunday’s NBC Nightly News and predicted that she "has next to zero chance of being elected President."
He went on to declare that most Republicans want her out of the race: "I think what Republicans hope most is that Sarah Palin clarifies before too long that she's not going to get into this race."
Below is a transcript of the relevant exchange from the Sunday, May 29, NBC Nightly News:
LESTER HOLT: John, she's got us all talking which is probably certainly part of what Sarah Palin is looking for right now, but does this go beyond just PR for a TV personality? Or are we watching the beginnings of a campaign for President?
JOHN HARWOOD: I think there's a good chance that what she’s simply doing is preserving her voice and her brand. The first thing to know about Sarah Palin is she has - given her negatives nationally in this country - she has next to zero chance of being elected President, probably can't even be elected to win the Republican nomination. But what she could do - as my friend (Republican strategist) Alex (Castellanos) suggested in Kristen’s piece - is deny someone else like Tim Pawlenty the opportunity to consolidate support on the right as an alternative to the establishment front-runner, and that’s Mitt Romney.
HOLT: Well, she's sucking up a lot of oxygen in the room right now, just after we finished watching the Donald Trump will he or won't he game. So what does that mean for the rest of the Republican pack, the folks who have declared they want to run?
HARWOOD: Donald Trump lent an air of chaos to the Republican race. They don't need any more of that. Republicans also don't need to absorb Sarah Palin's national negatives in this race. I think what Republicans hope most is that Sarah Palin clarifies before too long that she's not going to get into this race, but what we know is the same rules don't apply to her as apply to other people. She's so well-known, has so much influence and clout on the right, she could get in much later than a political candidate.
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Comments
Her Stock Just Went Up in my Book
Submitted by scottyusmc on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 9:05am.
If he thinks her chances are "zero" they must really be afraid of her - hence the need to keep knocking her down. Reagan had "zero" chance as well and became the best President of the 20th Century. Go Figure - can these useful idiots in the so called and most informed MSM be more wrong???
Yes Indeed
Submitted by JustAl on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 9:34am.
If she announces the media pukes are going to have to start wearing diapers under their cloths. If she wins they'll have to wear turbans to keep their little heads from exploding.
Despite being too much of a social con for me and supporting McShame for re-election, I'll support her just because of what she does to these socialists, hell ya.
Getting swayed
Submitted by Gat New York on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 10:57am.
I am one here who has said that Palin is not electable but would be a kingmaker in this coming election cycle.
However, after seeing the crowds and the following she is getting with this wack-a-mole bus tour (don't know where she will show up) I have to admit that no one - absolutely no one - has the celebrity appeal Palin has. Massive crowds gather in places based on a rumor she might be there. She is a true maverick (unlike McCain) and therefore breaks with conventional practices.
What is left to see is if she can do what Reagan did and move from a celebrity rabble rouser to a credible leader. She does have to lose those pundit phrases like "going rogue" and "lamestream media" because all that does it point back to her own vulnerabilities.
I was a young guy when Reagan ran and thought that no one is going to vote for a B rated movie actor. Palin has to change her stage presense from a rabble rousing pundit to a serious leader and that is the one thing I am not sure she has done yet. We'll see.
Having said that, Pat Paulson (even though he is deceased) could beat Barack Obama despite how liberal media lie and distort for him.
Harwood is only a slightly...
Submitted by Wiiliam1972 on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 9:09am.
...less partisan tool than Fineman.
Slightly.
..but both are bigtime Olbermann Butt Boyz.
Submitted by SickofLibs on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 9:16am.
And it's only a few days til the big launch!
Wonder where Harwood has been.
Submitted by Red Jeep on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 9:40am.
I hadn't seen his name mentioned in some time so I forgot about him. Haven't missed his comments a bit.
"...she has next to zero chance of being elected President..."
Submitted by Turn Right on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 9:16am.
Yeah, John, kind of like that guy from California who ran against Carter. What was his name again?
He's probably right
Submitted by Galvanic on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 9:20am.
As admirable, upbeat, and resilient a person as Palin is, her resignation from the Governorship is the show-stopper.
Regardless her reasons for doing so, she can't erase that fact no matter how much she repairs her public image.
Not even the MSM brings her
Submitted by Free Stinker on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 9:30am.
Not even the MSM brings her resignation up anymore. She resigned and became the de facto leader of The Oppossion.
/// Sarah Palin Fan since July 11, 2007 /// خال
The MSM enjoys the Tina Fey imagery
Submitted by Galvanic on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 9:34am.
But when it gets down to records -- and afterall, that's what we're counting on regarding Obama -- the Democrats will go back to her record and the resignation will be a focal point.
They don't need to wield it yet because they can afford to sit back and see how she does in the primaries (if she runs). And if she's still viable and other Republicans have fallen by the wayside, they'll throw in on the table, and the MSM parrots will make it the key issue.
And that includes Tina Fey mocking her decisions in some SNL skit.
If that's what the Make
Submitted by Free Stinker on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 9:46am.
If that's what the Make Believe Media is holding in reserve, then Palin will bxtch-slap Obama in the general election. And I hope Obama is foolish enough to bring it up during the debates.
Obama - "unlike my opponant, I didn't resign halfway throught my term"
Palin - "unlike my opponant, I didn't vote present 100+ times"
/// Sarah Palin Fan since July 11, 2007 /// خال
Record comparisons
Submitted by Galvanic on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 10:01am.
Whatever Obama did or didn't do during his terms as a state senator and US Senator no longer matter. He's the incumbent, and he'll have 4 years of Administration to defend.
He will claim to have pulled the US back from the brink of another Great Depression. He will claim to have saved 2-5 million jobs (Take your pick -- the Dems make up numbers and even they can't stick to them). He take credit for killing bin Laden. He'll take credit for Obamacare and attack the "Medicare Killing" Ryan Plan. He'll claim that America's international image has been largely repaired from the Dark Ages of the Bush Years. He will point to his support for diversity at high levels of government and on the Supreme Court. It doesn't matter if he's telling the truth.
And the MSM will parrot everything he says.
Palin has to defend her record, and while she was a popular Alaska governor, she didn't complete her first term, and that is what the Dems will focus on while the MSM lets Tina Fey carry the ball every week. Every network news program and many local ones will play the latest Fey clips, offered for free from Obama-friendly NBC.
That's if it gets that far. I can see one or more of the former GOP governors making the distinction -- indirectly, of course -- if they see her as a threat. They'll say things like "And when I completed my term as Governor of ---- ." The message will be subtle, but it will be there.
Would I prefer Palin over Obama? Certainly. But it's very unlikely to happen.
I hope Obama brings those
Submitted by Free Stinker on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 10:03am.
I hope Obama brings those things up, especially the Paul Ryan plan. Then she can state "for everyone 55 and older, NOTHING changes". Seriously, have you been paying attention to what Newsbusters writes? (that was rhetorical)
/// Sarah Palin Fan since July 11, 2007 /// خال
OMO! When Tina Feys attack
Submitted by Free Stinker on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 10:05am.
And seriously, Tina Fey? LOL
/// Sarah Palin Fan since July 11, 2007 /// خال
Yea, we can see Russia... will play as much as Quayles Potatoe
Submitted by upcountrywater on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 12:10pm.
Re-runs, re-runs will be played wall to wall.
Both of my lib sister's voted for O'bama, have a panic attack ever thinking of voting for Palin. Both babbled/passionately on about that very clip... How do you fight that?
But but, It's not a real clip..
So what! It's how she thinks...
The only cure is to run Cain, and expose/short circuit all that affirmative action, bs for what is is. Man O' man the Hypocrisy will be exposed and most libs will still defend it, kuz he's trying .
Can't wait tor wall to wall ads yawn...had 4 years of experience issues playing in HD, You know the feeling we want back.
Hay Mr. Shy... Need a song:.... "It's about a Sunset."
Back to the RNC and the RINO machine... Mitt I heart ethanol will win Iowa?
Re-run again nose pinching time, aka Dole, McCain, you know the drill.
Like Clockwork (orange) Mitt n' us shall get this ad spewed @ a month out this take 2.
You Didn't Build That.
Tina Fey IS Sarah Palin in the minds of many
Submitted by Galvanic on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 12:48pm.
Fey's "I can see Russia from my house" has had more lasting impact on Palin's image than the Couric interview.
I have found that among many retirees, what that they think they know about Palin is the Fey impersonation and the MSM blather. When I point out to them that Palin never said that, and that it was Fey quote, some have responded with "Who's Tina Fey?"
Younger voters know who Tina Fey is because they are plugged into pop culture. For them, Fey impersonation of Palin is spot on. These are the same folks who get all their "news and views" from Jon Steward and Stephen Colbert.
The Dems will be content with letting the entertainment industry ridicule the GOP candidates because being "entertainment," it's outside the FEC rules on campaign spending and equal time.
It's always interesting to
Submitted by Free Stinker on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 1:18pm.
It's always interesting to hear the reasons why a guy who didn't vote for Reagan won't vote for Palin. OMO! John Stewart and Tina Fey! We're doomed! /sarcasm off
/// Sarah Palin Fan since July 11, 2007 /// خال
I don't vote for Republicans or Democrats . . .
Submitted by Galvanic on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 1:49pm.
. . . the two major parties are corrupt.
And yet you oppose Palin, who
Submitted by Free Stinker on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 1:57pm.
And yet you oppose Palin, who fought GOP corruption in Alaska. Interesting...
/// Sarah Palin Fan since July 11, 2007 /// خال
Palin still has an "R" after her name
Submitted by Galvanic on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 2:30pm.
When honest politicians abandon these two major parties and form new ones based on integrity, they'll get my attention.
As long as they have P's and R's, no thanks.
Many on NB talk about the RINOs, but whether they like it or not, the RINOs run the Party. McConnell, Hatch, and McCain have been in the Beltway so long that they've lost touch with average Americans. And they ain't partial to Tea Partiers.
And I never said I oppose Palin; I just said she can't win against Obama. I actually do oppose Obama.
Look at Nevada in 2010. Reid was immensely unpopular and his Senate seat was at risk of a serious challenge. The GOP challenger was Sharon Engel. The result: Reid got re-elected.
Actually, Obama did resign
Submitted by jpwcpa on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 12:49pm.
Within days after the 2008 presidential election, Obama wrote a letter to Gov Rod Blagojevich to inform him that he was resigning from the United States Senate. Obama was less than 65 percent of the way through his six-year Senate term at the point the resignation became effective. In contrast, Sarah Palin was more than 65 percent of the way through her four-year term as governor on her final day in office.
Go ahead and try to sell that point
Submitted by Galvanic on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 2:37pm.
Obama resigned from the Senate to accept the Executive office he had been elected to. He can't hold both offices.
Palin quit her Executive office.
Same difference? Ask around and see what response you get.
Palin resigned to become an
Submitted by Free Stinker on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 2:47pm.
Palin resigned to become an author. Along the way she also became de facto leader of the opposition. Try to pay closer attention.
/// Sarah Palin Fan since July 11, 2007 /// خال
Palin resigned to become an
Submitted by Free Stinker on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 2:47pm.
Palin resigned to become an author. Along the way she also became de facto leader of the opposition. Try to pay closer attention.
/// Sarah Palin Fan since July 11, 2007 /// خال
Then you make her out to be a bigger quitter than . . .
Submitted by Galvanic on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 3:27pm.
. . . the Dems will make her out to be.
If I understand this point, Palin sought the Governorship and the citizens of Alaska elected her to perform that role, and she quit in her first term to go write a book?
I've got no problem with Palin deciding that she'd rather make more money selling books than being Governor. That was her choice. And choices have consequences. When she pondered the decision, she must've weighed them before concluding that resignation was the best option.
As for de facto leadership, leadership comes with responsibility and accountability. Palin has neither -- she's free to be and do whatever she wants. Palin is not a de facto leader, but an icon. A celebrity. People are enthusiastic about her being herself, and she never has to make a decision that will piss some folks off. Nothing wrong with that -- but it won't get her to the WH.
But of course you think
Submitted by Free Stinker on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 3:47pm.
But of course you think quitting Obamas Senate seat is no problem. Got it. I think Lenin had a term for folks like you.
/// Sarah Palin Fan since July 11, 2007 /// خال
Lenin? Wow, stinker. That's pretty heavy.
Submitted by Galvanic on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 6:27pm.
How in the world would Obama hold both his Senate seat and the Presidency? I'd expect Palin to resign her Governorship to assume the VP office had McCain won. That's what politicians do.
As you noted, Palin quit her office to write a book. I got no problem with that, but because she did, I could never vote for her to be President, even if she left the GOP. I like her, but can't vote for her.
Let her explain her resignation to the voters and we'll see what they think.
I still think she's not running for President, but we'll see.
~What?
Submitted by Wrathful Brunette on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 6:57pm.
Palin resigned to end the cascade of frivolous lawsuits that wasted Alaskan taxpayer dollars and threatened to bankrupt her family. Would you stay in a job that cost you twice as much in a year as it paid you?
She outmaneuvered the S.O.B's and went on to single-handedly spearhead the biggest electoral turnaround in 72 years.
I was dismayed at first by her resignation, but the more I learned about the situation the more clear it became that it was the smartest thing she could have done under those circumstances. If she'd stayed in office just to improve her chances of getting the '12 nomination I'd have a much lower opinion of her than I do now. She did the right thing for her state, and in so doing she did the right thing for herself. GO SARAH!
You can believe whatever you choose
Submitted by Galvanic on Wed, 06/01/2011 - 9:27am.
Palin had a book deal in the making, and a "Save Palin" fund would've brought in still more $$$. Legal bills were not a problem. Just look at the Clintons; they reported legal debt in the millions, and now they are reportedly worth over $150 million.
Besides, none of the suits stuck, and had she stayed in office, it would've enhanced her status as a champion against Big Government. I find it puzzling that you would have thought less of her had she completed her term rather than resign.
Was she smart? Well, she saw an opportunity to make money and she grabbed it (See Free Stinker's post). At a certain level, that is smart. As for national political aspirations, she stuck a fork in 'em.
Brunette: " (she) went on to single-handedly spearhead the biggest electoral turnaround in 72 years."
She did, huh? All by her lonesome? And 2010 was bigger than 1994, when the GOP captured both the Senate in the House for the first time in 40 years? Well, whatever you say.
~Um, yeah
Submitted by Wrathful Brunette on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 11:38am.
Yes, 2010 was bigger than '94. Not only did we have the biggest House gains since 1938, we made historic gains in state legislatures across the country (NC alone gained a Republican majority for the first time in over a hundred years) and picked up 15 governor-ships.
Her legal defense fund was determined to be illegal by the investigating attorney. Who just happened to work for the law firm that served as counsel to Obama's campaign. There's lots more, but I can see your mind is made up.
For pete's sake!
Submitted by jon_torlin on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 9:18am.
When the hell is anyone going to tell these MSM traitors to stop telling us who to vote for??
-Jon
Well one thing is for sure...
Submitted by c5then on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 9:28am.
If NBC declares it, it MUST be wrong.
A better statement is that NBC has zero chance of predicting who will be the Republican nominee at this early stage of the game.
I will also say this...resigning from the governorship to stop frivolous law suits from harming the State's finances is sure a HELL of a lot better than divorcing your wife while she is undergoing treatment for cancer and then cheating on wife number two almost immediately. You did notice that as soon as she resigned, the law suits stopped and the ones already filed were no longer pursued? Is that a coincidence?
I would vote for Palin WAY before I would even concider voting for Gingrich, Romney or Huntsman.
Madison and Jefferson and Franklin built a Republic - Roberts killed it!
~'Like'
Submitted by Wrathful Brunette on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 10:12am.
I'd crawl over broken glass to vote for Palin for President. I despise the rest of them except for Cain.
Harwood's chances of my watching him on TV? Is there...
Submitted by jawebster1 on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 9:32am.
a number less than zero? If not for NewsBusters, his name would have never crossed my mind. Each time I hear criticism of Palin from the Liberal media it only makes me like her more and them less.
Excuse me?
Submitted by almostacowboy on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 11:34am.
Can anyone tell me? Who is John Harwood?
Harwood-Biden
Submitted by Texndoc on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 9:50am.
This is the guy who minutes before Obama chose Biden as a running mate said he was a buffoon with a non-restrained mouth who would be a hinderance, and minutes after Biden was chosen found him "charming and his gaffes may work in their favor".
"He went on to declare that
Submitted by celator on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 10:20am.
"He went on to declare that most Republicans want her out of the race"
And how does Harwood know this? Well, he doesn't, of course.
Here we go again with a representative of the radical left MSM bloviating about what Republicans want or don't want, who should be a Republican candidate or not, what Republicans are "really" thinking.
We're going to see a lot of this in the next year and a half.
Astroturf Negatives
Submitted by pbthinker on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 10:52am.
Sarah Palin's negatives are, what I'd call, astroturf negatives. Most of them have been brought about by the LSM, repeating lines like she's really divisive or "some consider her...." sort of fill in the blanks. Almost every liberal outlet has spread these lies for the past 2-1/2 years to they're out there as perceptions with people because they hear them constantly, but they don't have any roots and those of us who have followed Sarah Palin know this.
If you want divisive, Barack Obama's speech, in Texas, about immigration reform was about as divisive a speech as any politician could give, but shouldn't have come from a President of the United States.
There are going to be some perceptions changed, during this bus tour, and the LSM isn't going to be able to do much about that. I'm beginning to love how Sarah is playing them. Guys, like Harwood, are going to be emotional cripples if she declares and wins. Oh well, that's what you get when your supposed to be objective and you lose it all.
Wow. This probaly means she's a shoe-in
Submitted by JLin on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 10:51am.
What a putz.
What are you, a marketing professor? Brands... ppffftt.
Submitted by JLin on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 10:55am.
"JOHN HARWOOD: I think there's a good chance that what she’s simply doing is preserving her voice and her brand."
Much the same as Obama is desperately trying to do? How's that spiking the footbal routine working for him?
Palin has only to announce her.....
Submitted by Charles B. Simpson on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 11:40am.
intention that she will run and then the rest of the Republican candidates will soon drop out. Read it and weep all you country club republicans.
I've been hearing about how
Submitted by killa37 on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 11:45am.
I've been hearing about how 'stupid' she is, and what an 'idiot' she is, and how 'un-electable' sheis, and the rest of this crap............from Day One!!! So why should they worry??? They should be ENCOURAGING Palin to run!!!!
I know righ....wait
Submitted by Djinn1975 on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 1:06pm.
They did already, just on Friday, May 27th.
(See NB's own Scott Whitlock's 'Morning Shows Tout White House Claim that 'Distraction' Sarah Palin Is 'Re-Election Insurance')
Seems they can't make up their mind. Either that or they can't decide if they should wipe front to back, or back to front. Either way they still shit'em.
But WHICH Democrat will run...
Submitted by B.Soetoro on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 12:48pm.
The bigger question: WHICH Democrat will run for President?
Is the "media" going to give us another goober?
There they go again!
Submitted by NJRightWinger12 on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 12:53pm.
She didnt even announce her candidacy and the lib media are already chomping at the bits awaiting their turn to rip her a new one! Wow, she must have them quaking in their birkenstocks!
Go Sarah!
Submitted by docjohn52 on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 2:28pm.
If it's the one thing I love about you, it's the apoplexy you bring to the MSM and the left.
The mere mention of your name brings on the hate and vitriol. They are TRULY afraid of you and what you might do...
I need popcorn!
I will love it if she runs and wins
Submitted by Funbowhunter on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 3:10pm.
The problem is the MSM will never come to terms that their bubble of friends do not share what the majority of Americans love, and that is common sense conservatism.