THE ARENA: On Wednesday evening, Sarah Palin, the former Alaska governor
and 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee announced in a radio interview that she will not seek the Republican nomination in 2012.
Politico asks, “did Palin make the right call? Will her stature among conservatives now grow or will her star fade? And how does her decision affect the rest of the 2012 Republican field?”
BENJAMIN: Sarah Palin proved MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell right. He asserted months ago that Palin had no intention of running since, unlike Gingrich and Santorum, she still had her Fox News contract. O’Donnell did same “emperor has no clothes” truth telling regarding Donald Trump’s brief dalliance with the GOP.
Sarah Palin will be remembered for quitting in the midst of her gubernatorial term. Like the New York Mets Jose Reyes who didn’t want to risk losing the 2011 NL batting title so he took himself out of the game after a first inning base hit, Palin will be remembered as a quitter, not a true champion.
The GOP bench is so weak that Sarah Palin will remain an attractive candidate. Her speaking engagements and TV appearances will sustain her visibility.
The field of 2012 candidates will no longer have to look over their shoulders. Mitt Romney is the clear winner since Christie and Palin are no longer in play.
Money and support will soon follow as those previously on the sidelines start to place their bets on Romney being the last man standing. And Rep. Ron Paul goes rogue and runs a strong third-party Libertarian candidacy for president.
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