Sarah Palin created a firestorm today on the right side of the blogosphere by endorsing RINO Carly Fiorina.
Sarah Palin’s Facebook page: I’d like to tell you about a Commonsense Conservative running for office in California this year. She grew up in a modest home with a school teacher dad, worked her way through several colleges, and then entered an arena where few women had tread. Through a combination of hard work, perseverance, and common sense, she proved the naysayers wrong to reach the top of her field, where she led with distinction – facing hard truths, making tough decisions, and showing real leadership through a rocky transition period. Where others had failed, her company had weathered the storm and settled on a stronger new foundation.[…]
To say this did not go over well with many conservatives is an understatement. Most conservatives and bloggers, like my buddy Left Coast Rebel, are supporting the real conservative Chuck Devore (I would too). Despite the great devotion that conservatives have for Chuck Devore, he simply does not have the numbers on his side.
Palin appears to understand this too and stated so in her Facebook endorsement.
Please consider that Carly is the conservative who has the potential to beat California’s liberal senator, Barbara Boxer, in November. I’m a huge proponent of contested primaries, so I’m glad to see the contest in California’s GOP, but I support Carly as she fights through a tough primary against a liberal member of the GOP who seems to bear almost no difference to Boxer, one of the most leftwing members of the Senate. Carly needs our support in this crucial election year when we have a real chance of putting an end to the Pelosi/Reid “Big Government” agenda.
Palin again reiterates this when after the initial uproar; she posted an update and again reiterated it.
Update: I’d like to add a few things about my Carly endorsement because some reaction right out of the chute calls for more information:
Carly has been endorsed by the National Right to Life, the California Pro-Life Council, and the Susan B. Anthony List. She is pro-life, pro-traditional marriage, pro-military, and pro-strict border security and against amnesty. She is against Obamacare and will vote to repeal it and prevent the government takeover of private companies and industries. Carly is also a strong supporter of the Second Amendment. Like me, she is a member of the NRA, has a 100% NRA rating, and she and her husband are gun owners. She is pro-energy development and believes as I do in an all-of-the-above approach to energy independence. She is against cap and tax. And most importantly, Carly is the only conservative in the race who can beat Barbara Boxer. That’s no RINO. That’s a winner.
- Sarah Palin
Here is some hard truth for my California readers. It appears there aren’t enough true conservatives on the left coast to pull Devore over the line. As such you guys face a very tough choice. Do you stand on your ideological principles and risk über RINO Tom Cambell being your nominee or do you join in with your ideologically soft brethren and nominate the lesser RINO Fiorina? I think Palin has already made this tough choice and that is why she is endorsing Fiorina.
Via: Memeorandum
Via: Left Coast Rebel
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27 comments:
As a Californian I see that we're screwed. No matter who wins, we're going to get the same liberal BS from our senator since these RINO's are not much different than Boxer. The only bright side would be I wouldn't have to look or listen to her any more but that's assuming she loses and Californian (LCR and supporters excluded) are as stupid as they come.
As for Palin, she's lost my support for good. I felt she too was a RINO like McShame and this proves it. Just because the numbers aren't there just shows how she'll cower down. What happened to the courage that she was being credited with though I felt she was just as Narcissistic as Obama, especially after the Retard thing. If Palin is willing to go RINO, then what hope is there?
I go with standing on principle. I would vote for Devore in the primary and probably would leave it blank in the general if those were the choices.
I would rather know what I was getting and with Boxer you do. Carly is no different than John McCain; Hey maybe that is why she endorsed her.
Well, even of people don't agree. I think Sarahcuda at least makes tought decision. That is more than we can expect from the softball-in-chief
as usual, i like your assessment.
a very tough choice - but if we don't stand on principle, how do we stand against the barbarians at the gate?
at the same time, after all, CA is known as the "left coast" for a reason.
the vitriol vs SP is unwarranted - sometimes the "true blue" conservatives come across as either jilted lovers or leftist provocateurs. her follow-up seems genuine and rational.
in AZ, i take SP's McCain appearance as a token of political respect + calculation - which should temper the "rino turncoat" mantra.
every battle cannot be fought at fever pitch in this war for America's soul and spirit of liberty - we must be as wise as a serpent...
but i do consider the AZ senate race a bellwether case: if a proven liberal/"progressive" cannot be retired in our current climate in AZ (yes, given JDH has his own baggage and pr issues), then perhaps we really are lost.
Hmmm ... I find this troubling. I like Chuck DeVore, and I thought that Rasmussen had DeVore and RINO Fiorina at about even against Boxer only a month ago (http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/california/election_2010_california_senate).
The more troubling thing, though, is that this is yet another RINO that Palin is supporting, and while her backing McCain can be excused as a sort of honorable thing as he did select her for VP, this defies understanding. DeVore, from what I've read, can win out there. Geez, Brown won here in MA for Ted Kennedy's seat, and there is no reason at all that much the same thing (except Boxer is no Ted Kennedy!) can't happen out there.
I'm not the Palin fan that you are, Clifton, and I really do wonder about her judgment in this one. It's more politics as usual to me.
Go Chuck DeVore!!!
My goodness -- you can always count on conservatives to eat our own! We have to keep our eyes on the three goals that matter in November. Those goals do NOT include electing Mr. or Ms. Perfect -- never going to happen; not even our beloved -- and much missed -- RR could adhere to some of the standards set forth by some of our more rabid brethren. The goals, as I see them, ARE to STOP this mire and morass of out-of-control spending and nation-destroying debt that the Dems will use to drive more and more Americans to dependency; and to REPEAL and REPLACE this oh-so-lame, malicious and monstrous health care bill with something sane, sensible and simple; and, perhaps the sweetest to contemplate, to KNOCK the diabolical duo of Pelosi and Reid off of their smug stools of power (LtCol Allen West said it best: "Give me that damn gavel!").
It would behoove us -- as people who probably agree 80+% of the time -- to stop badgering each other (and prominent people like Palin -- who has shown uncanny political acumen thus far -- who do not endorse our preferred candidate). Such a course of action seems to me only to create bad blood and cynicism at a time when we need idealism and unity. By all means, vote for whomever you'd like in the primary -- then, throw your support and energy behind the GOP nominee and help pull us to victory in November!
What makes Carly Fiorina a RINO? This is an honest question, as I admit I know nothing about her.
@ Justine, I'm not sure that stating my view of an election in which I cannot take part is "eating my own." One of things I abhor about leftie loons is that they are deaf, dumb, and blind to any of their "own's" faults or failings. Surely that is more dangerous than speaking freely about our own views even if they are not in lock step with the GOP or conservative leaders?
I'm not sure that anyone here has said that they wouldn't support the final candidate on the ballot come November (if they're in Cali, or in their own elections). I know that I, for one certainly am and have blogged a couple times about the danger of running third party candidates because this will ensure that BO and his traitorous horde keep the power that is allowing them to dismantle and destroy our nation.
That said, surely you don't mean that we are to slurp koolaid and blindly follow people without thinking simply because they are conservative or because another conservative has told us to do so? Or that we shouldn't learn from mistakes made and/or victories in other states and elections? What's the point in being informed if that means shutting up, not thinking, and just doing what you're leader does. Isn't that dangerous and counter-productive? Why on earth can't anyone disagree with the GOP without it meaning that there's some sort of rift or divide? That sounds like leftie hope and hysteria to me.
As to Palin, I LOVE her, but I do not share Clifton's desire to see her as our presidential nominee. However, if she gets it somehow, I'd support and vote for her. Hell, she was the reason I felt better about voting for McCain aka RINO extraordinaire. And I'd have voted for him anyway in that election. I'd have voted for friggin' Charlie Crist, crazy Lindsay Graham, or any other RINO over BO as we didn't have a conservative nominee. What I refuse to do is to sing their praises . . . just because.
To those that are having a hissyfit over Sarah Palin endorsing Carly Fiorina, and dismissing her as a "RINO" (what exactly makes a person a "RINO" anyways?) do not know Sarah Palin, and what she did in Alaska. While she was Governor in Alaska, she frequently reached across the aisle to Democrats in State Government, because she was not getting the support of the Republicans in her state (the Democrats eventually turned against her for political purposes, during and after the election). While she was Mayor of Wasilla, the voters approved a tax-funded sports complex, and is now a wildly popular facility for events.
(Cont.)
The problem with many people that have stood behind Sarah Palin is that they have expected her to be the Great Conservative Hope. Many Conservatives have made TOO GREAT expectations for her, and if she does not grant their every wish, they start acting like little children and start calling her names and making false accusations against her, finally abandoning their support.
God bless those of you in California who plan to vote for Chuck Devore in the upcoming primary, even though, in my opinion, he has not acted like a statesman, especially in the last couple of days (see his op-ed at Redstate.com that he posted today). However, it sounds like that Sarah saw the numbers and she felt that Fiorina is the best person that can defeat Barbara Boxer. I can't see Devore having those numbers. Call Sarah Palin a "RINO" all you want for that decision, but again, as I stated earlier, you probably did not really know her record at all, and thus made unrealistic expectations for her.
Hi Clifton: Saw you linked on The Other McCain on this so I thought to fill in the 'blanks.' I am a conservative California blogger.
Here are two posts with LOTS of links so that your readers can understand what a huge mistake Sarah made...and she made it on bad facts.
We are actually trying to pull our state off the edge of the cliff...so thank you very much for the enabling comments about Sarah and Carly...but nooooo Carly ain't it.
Anyone who has questions can write me at my blog...www.uncoverage.net.
I hope that conservatives all around the country will get behind Chuck DeVore who is moving up in the polls as Carly declines.
http://www.uncoverage.net/2010/05/sarah-palin-alienates-fans-with-fiorina-endorsement/
http://www.uncoverage.net/2010/05/chuck-devore-on-palin-endorsement-of-carly-fiorina/
Best regards,
Jane Jamison
UNCOVERAGE.net
geesh! this is just an endorsement, she is just asking you to consider/take a look at fiorina, she is not forcing you to vote for her! and before we throw the RINO meme please take a look at her RECORD as guv & mayor and not just endorsements. what if mitt suddenly thought he'll endorse tea party candidates(whether they have a chance to win or just be a spoiler) would you now consider him as a true-blue conservative & just forget about his track record as guv?
madmath1:
I don't think Palin is a RINO or RINO lover. If you read her book, you will understand her support for McCain was an issue of loyalty. As far as Fiorina is concern, I think Palin is looking at the bigger picture ... gaining control of the Senate. Should control of the Senate come down to just one or two senate races, will Devore supports still be willing to stick to their principles?
JACG:
I too do not want to see another RINO elected, but I also do not want to see Democratic control of the Senate until 2012.
Mats:
Tough decision are never easy to make and the girl is sticking with it. That being said, it is just an endorsement, not a command.
billdmn:
You summed up Palin's reasoning perfectly.
Fuzzy:
The issue at hand is not the general election against Boxer. Devore can hold his own there. The problem is the primary. There are not enough true conservatives to support his nomination. It appears that too many of California's Republicans lean a little to the left. That is why Fiorina and Campbell are doing better.
Devore supporter have two choices, find a way to aggressively win over some of those Campbell and Fiorina supporters or use their vote to make sure they get the lesser of the two RINOs. Neither is an easy thing to do.
MiaZagora:
Here are two examples:
http://michellemalkin.com/2009/11/23/carly-fiorina-channels-dede-scozzafava-wields-racegender-card-against-conservative-rival/
http://washingtonindependent.com/68650/fiorina-i-would-have-voted-for-sotomayor
Justine:
You understand the realities at hand. Time is our enemy this time around. In a perfect world, I would scuttle the GOP and bring the TEA Party to life, but the truth is we have time and only have one shot to take control of the House and possibly the Senate. As such, yeah we may need to do a little nose holding. After 2012 and Obama is history, then we can be far more pickier.
Fuzzy:
I think what Justine was saying is, we cannot become too wed to any one candidate that we loose sight of our main goal.
Hefmier:
The problem with many people that have stood behind Sarah Palin is that they have expected her to be the Great Conservative Hope.
Exactly. Some forget Palin has to work with political realities just like everyone else.
Jane:
I still don't think Palin made a mistake. If anything, I think she sees an unfortunate reality. Devore isn't going to win the primary and Tom Campbell may. If that happens California will be left with two very bad choices, Campbell and Boxer.
The other option is to take the lesser of two evils and go with Fiorina. Yes she is a RINO too, but not as bad as Campbell.
I would love to see Devore become the nominee, but if it ain't happening it ain't happening, you have to work with the realities before you.
Hi Clifton, for the record, I do NOT think that Palin is a RINO. As for DeVore's chances, I just don't see it the same way. Scott Brown won over a less conservative candidate in the primary here in MA, arguably as liberal as Boxer's district, a candidate who is now back working for healthcare for unions. DeVore has momentum and can definitely win the primary. The only upside for DeVore that I can see here is if Palin is right, and that district is too liberal for him . . . they'll certainly be too liberal to care about Palin's endorsement if that's the case. Ain't irony grand? ;)
Clifton:
You know nothing about the polls which show all 3 Republicans are within a few points of Boxer...in other words any of them can beat her potentially with what we know now.
If you bothered to read my posts, what Sarah apparently didn't bother to check is Carly's record, or lack therof.
Since you didn't bother to read the links I posted I will not bother to answer your ridiculous pimping of Sarah.
We understand she had to help McCain because, as I wrote in the post, she would be home skinning Todd's salmon on Saturdays without McCain.
HP employees have been arrested for bribery that took place in Russia and Germany during Carly's tenure. The investigation is ongoing and will doom Carly's race if she is our unfortunate nominee.
So thank you very much RNC and RNSC geniuses for muddling around in our race and confusing the issues!
THanks for helping another RINO get elected this year.
There is no way, if you read my posts I linked to you that any thinking person will find Carly to be the viable, clean, credible candidate.
She may end up the nominee because of the help she is getting from the RNSC...but Carly will lose miserably to Boxer. Fiorina has too much baggage.
BIG BIG mistake...and we Californians don't appreciate the "club" coming in to throw the weight around.
PFFFt.
I have defended Sarah in the past...but no more...she was a twit to do this. Better to keep her mouth shut.
And oh...I do NOT get paid to post for candidates...unlike some people who will go unnamed.
Sarah Palin never does anything without thinking it over and knowing the consequences. So, saying she didn't check on Carly's record is bullcrap... saying you will stick to principles when your guy has only 13% and Campbell and Fiorini have about 30% each is stupid.. dumb, stupid and very near-sighted. You have a choice now... vote for Campbell the useless RINO or vote for Carly... the 90% Conservative.
"And oh...I do NOT get paid to post for candidates...unlike some people who will go unnamed."
For the record, Jane, I am currently working part-time, and making minimum wage unloading trucks at a warehouse. I posted my comments in response to this blog post on my FREE TIME, and certainly by my free will. If you are refering me as one of those "unnamed" people who are getting paid to post here for candidates, then you are making a completely false accusation about me and you deserve to be called out on that. Regardless or not I am among those so-called unnamed people that you are referring to in your last comment, your comment was still way out of line.
Also, I am sorry that Clifton and that "Twit" Sarah hurt your poor WITTLE FEEWINGS: Clifton for not commenting at the information that you are refering to, and Sarah for not endorsing your candidate. This is Clifton's blog, so he is entitled to defend himself. However, you come off as a sore and sarastic loser (yes, I am being sarcastic to you, but I am throwing your sarcasm back at you). You can call me "pimping Sarah" if you want, but Sarah made her decision, and she has legitimate reasons for that. If she had illegitimate reasons, then show us the proof. Were you a fly on a wall when Sarah did her research? I wish all the best to Chuck Devore, but if Carly Fiorina gets the Republican nomination, then so be it. Sarah is in a "no-win" situation in your mind, no matter what.
@ Jane, maybe it's time to take a deep breath and relax. I don't know most of the commenters here, but I doubt that they are being paid to post for anyone. That just sounds like paranoia to me and maybe disappointment on your part? As to people butting into your election in Cali, I sort of understand that just having gone through the same thing in Mass, but the fact is that every single election this year is national, not local (the reverse of what Gingrich used to say about all politics being local). We're at a crossroads in this country, and this year's elections are going to define this country for decades to come. Many people believe, I among them, that this will be our one and only chance to save our country. Replacing Barbara Don't Call Me Ma'am Boxer is everyone's goal, and yes, I'd far far rather see Chuck DeVore go to Washington and will continue to support him despite Palin's endorsement of his opponent. But attacking people, including (well, especially) Clifton, is not helping you . . . or your candidate.
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