New Washington insider wisdom: If you have the courage of your convictions and support those who do likewise, then you’re not to be taken seriously.
At an event at the Ronald Reagan Building hosted by Roll Call/CQ in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 4, Roll Call Executive Editor Mort Kondracke, also a Fox News contributor took a few shots at the political leadership of Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. (h/t Keach Hagey, Politico.com)
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Kondracke suggested the way DeMint and Palin have been able to lead certain candidates to the GOP’s nomination in various races have damaged the party’s viability and he used his platform to disparage the former Alaska governor’s political prowess.
“The same applies to Sarah Palin, I think,” Kondracke said. “I think she – I think she is a phenomenon. I think she’s a rock star. I think she attracts cameras wherever she goes. But she’s a joke, you know? Even within her own party, the idea that she would be the presidential nominee among vast majorities of ordinary Republicans is just unthinkable.”
Kondracke’s assessment is a bit curious. Before the Fox News Channel show he co-hosted with The Weekly Standard’s Fred Barnes, “The Beltway Boys,” was canceled in 2009, he seemed to respect the political prowess of “long-shot” 2008 Republican presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, which even Rush Limbaugh pointed out. During one of his shows, he explained Paul could be somewhat of a threat to former GOP presidential nominee Sen. John McCain’s candidacy. And Paul is certainly someone who sticks to his ideology.
However, if Kondracke continues to dismiss the influence of Palin, he could be making a mistake. During the 2010 election cycle, Palin had a solid primary record and a fairly strong general election record. And based on this, she could have an impact on 2012 race for the Republican presidential nomination, if she doesn’t run herself.
“I mean she’s got a following – no question about it,” he continued. “But I don’t think that she’s triumphed in this campaign.”
