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Rove: Palin's Toughest Days Are Still Ahead

By: Jeff Dufour
Editor at Large/Columnist, "Yeas & Nays"
09/04/08 10:28 AM EDT

Former deputy chief of staff and senior advisor to President Bush, Karl Rove waves to the audience as he speaks with School of Journalism professor Frank Durham at the University of Iowa Memorial Union on Sunday, March 9, 2008, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/The Gazette, Jim Slosiarek)

"She'll be the most tested and the most judged"

The reviews are in, and most observers think that Sarah Palin nailed her speech Wednesday night before the Republican National Convention.

Political guru Karl Rove agrees with those accolades, but also thinks that Palin faces a difficult road ahead.

"She had a test last Friday and she nailed it," Rove told a crowd gathered for a breakfast panel discussion in St. Paul. "She had a test last night and she nailed it. But being the newest player on the stage, she will also be the most tested and the most judged on the stage. Everyone is going to ask: 'When is she going to appear on a Sunday talk show program?' 'When is she doing to do an interview?' 'When is she going to give an unscripted speech?' 'When will she do a town hall meeting?' 'When will she answer questions on foreign policy?' 'How will she perform in a debate?'"

"And we're going to hear more questions about her performance than about any of the other candidates," said Rove. "The media is going to wonder, 'How can we make this an easy storyline and the easy storyline is, 'Can she do it?'"

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Sep 4, 2008

At what point in the nearly-concluded convention will the Republicans set aside the Bushian tactics of fearmongering and dissembling and begin to address the grave issues facing the country -- do they have any understanding that the economic disaster created by people like George Bush, top McCain adviser Phil Gramm (yes, still) and their ilk cannot be solved by personal attacks? That their foolish and failed war has made the world less safe? That the American people have lost patience with the rapacious cronyism of the past eight years? Or has Sen. McCain abandoned all principle in his lust for power?

Sep 4, 2008

Sarah Palin is the reincarnation of Eva Braun...or maybe Hitler in drag

Sep 4, 2008

CHECK out the obama-lugar bill a bipartisan effort providing for transparency in government. link to table with obama's hundreds of legislative efforts: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_bills_sponsored_ by_Barack_Obama_in_the_United_States_Senate link to table with obama's primary legislative achievements, including the bipartisan obama-lugar bill (ethics, reform) obama has other ethics achievements. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama i have not included the many years in the state legislature, only the use senate where he was for a scant three years. productive?

Sep 4, 2008

The media's storyline will not be "Can she do it?" because she can clearly perform in public. Or fake her knowledge in interviews and debates. The storyline will be "What has she done? or tried to do" -- to her home town's budget, for example, or to its library; and "What would she do?" as VP: namely, what are her policies and beliefs. They're still VETTING her.

Sep 4, 2008

it's easy to be a charming messenger and memorize a script this is a political Cyrano de Bergerac moment! But are we in love with Bush/Cheney and McCain? let's look at the issues!!!

Sep 4, 2008

it's easy to be a charming messenger and memorize a script this is a political Cyrano de Bergerac moment! But are we in love with Bush/Cheney and McCain? let's look at the issues!!!

Sep 4, 2008

zedthewizard@yahoo.com Thanks for the reality check but when did the facts or reality for that matter ever get in the way of a "good" story aka lie

Sep 4, 2008

Why is Rove still free? Why isn't he in jail for outting a CIA agent? I hope that an Obama administration will prosecute traitors like Rove.

Sep 4, 2008

Palin is preaching to the choir. And it appears a small one. She is a user and is being used. She will not past the test of media vetting since McCain didn't do it on his own. I wonder what Cindy is thinking about her husband not vetting theis "babe".

Sep 4, 2008

What are these handout's that the GOP keeps referring to? I never received any handouts. Can I have some handouts if they are out there?

Sep 4, 2008

KARL ROVE IS A COWARDLY VIETNAM DRAFT DODGER, JUST LIKE BUSH AND CHENEY AND THE REST OF THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP. THEY ARE COWARDS AND CRIMINALS ALL.

Sep 4, 2008

She did not look Presidential!!! I could not imagine her as the President of the US!! That is important because the VP is the President in waiting. She will have to rely on a lot of others because she does not have the knowledge about national and international affairs!!!

Sep 4, 2008

I am Hillary's supporter and now I know how I will vote> McCain/Palin 2008!!!!!

Sep 4, 2008

I am Hillary's supporter and now I know how I will vote> McCain/Palin 2008!!!!!

Sep 4, 2008

I am Hillary's supporter and now I know how I will vote> McCain/Palin 2008!!!!!

Sep 4, 2008

I can not imagine a true Hillary supporter now supporting Sarah Balin. There is no comparison between the two. Hillary spoke with knowledge about issues and Sarah Balin concentrates on half truths, no truths and insults. Sarah Balin is no Hillary Clinton!!

Sep 4, 2008

Time will tell is she is cut out for this role or be cut up by this roll.

Sep 4, 2008

Once she goes out and does not have a script she will fall flat on her face. She is a QUEEN BEE bully and she needs to go back to Alaska and fight the MOOSE because the animals are the only 1's who will listen to her drivel. I hope the McSame/Palin ticket lose and lose BIG!

Sep 4, 2008

I wonder if she knows what the job of VP entails by now??? She didn't a few months ago...how she's a fast learner......give me a break! What a nut job!

Sep 4, 2008

maca55----Go ahead and vote for "W" in drag, because that is all she is!

Sep 4, 2008

She did a great job as 'attack dog' for the GOP. Great. Now the Dems can take off the glove and slug it out with her with no crying and whining about being sexist. And, there was no program in there for Americans. It's the same old Bush of the last eight years. We're having problems which they caused and they have no answers. The extreme right are overjoyed, but that won't win them the election.

Sep 4, 2008

"Why is Rove still free? Why isn't he in jail for outting a CIA agent?" Uhh... maybe because it turned out Richard Armitage was the "outter" [sic], you dunce.

Sep 4, 2008

Don't want a female version of Karl Rove.

Sep 4, 2008

A Real Clinton Supporter would not be backing a McCain/Palin Ticket. And if Palin's governorship makes her more quailified to run the country than Sen. Obama and Sen. Biden, wouldn't she be more qualified than Sen. McCain? Did I miss something? Has McCain ever governed?

Sep 4, 2008

For being the unholy evil incarnate, Rove is, as usual exactly right.

Sep 4, 2008

Laroque@earthlinknet said: "Sarah Balin is no Hillary Clinton!!" No she isn't, and thank Christ for that.

Sep 4, 2008

She would have to rely ENTIRELY on others for foreign policy advice if Old Man McCain kicks it. What is a better argument than her for "more of the same." Same experts, same policy, same staff behind the scenes. She doesn't even have the sophistication to HIRE SOMEONE!

Sep 4, 2008

Palin defeated a sitting governor to get the Repub. nomination in Alaska, and then defeated a former Governor to win the office. None of the other three -- not Obama, not Biden, not McCain -- had to defeat TWO politicians in a row who both had, earlier, won state-wide majorities, in order to win state-wide office. And she did it without fame or riches or prior political connections. Whtehr you are for her or against her, wake up, folks -- this woman is for real.

Sep 4, 2008

Perhaps the most important difference between Palin and Hillary is what Palin described as a "servant's heart." Hillary succeeds like no other in making me feel I'm one of the "help."

Sep 4, 2008

then you reall ywere NOT a Hillary supporter! Clinton was not a lying book burning creationist.

Sep 4, 2008

Poor McCain. She's gonna have him on a leash. Ownedzizzle!! I bet he's thinking "Dear God, what have I done??"

Sep 4, 2008

This post has been Godwined faster than any other post on the internet! Bravo to the brilliant Obamabot!

Sep 4, 2008

> CHECK out the obama-lugar bill a bipartisan effort providing for transparency in government. It is the Coburn-Obama transparency act, and Coburn introduced it in 2005, before Obama was elected to the senate. It was a unanimous consent item - the new Dem Senate leadership threw Obama a bone to make him look good. That's what new Senators do - they try to get their names on legislation that is going to pass anyway while they learn the ropes. At least that was Obama's story when he was elected. We are still waiting for Obama's subcommittee on the area that includes Georgia to have its first meeting. Said committees are Biden's sole claim to foreign policy experience while Obama got his giving speeches.

Sep 4, 2008

Palin has no family values. If she did have a good relationship and the confidence of her daughter the 17 year old would not be an unmarried mother - a teenager to boot. Is this what America has become? What about education? Why is she not going to college? How is the young boy father going to support the child? I know it's her private business, but I am concerned about the message being sent to my children.

Sep 4, 2008

I really don't understand why the republican "BIMBOS AND BIMBAS" keep saying regarding Palin's speach, that she "Hit it out of the park' All this BIMBA did was read a speach writers writing. I just don't get all the fuss? Apparently she know how to read!!! Big deal!!!

Sep 4, 2008

And if Palin's governorship makes her more quailified to run the country than Sen. Obama and Sen. Biden, wouldn't she be more qualified than Sen. McCain? Did I miss something? Has McCain ever governed?" Excellent point!!!

Sep 4, 2008

Michelle Obama comments that for the first time in her life she's proud to be an american, Rove, and FOX jump on it like a bunch of rabid dogs questioning her patriotism. This woman's husband is a card carrying member of an Alaskan secessionist group which she as governor addressed at their convention. Anyone remember Timothy McVeigh. This is putting country first? These republicans are so cynical they don't even try to hide it. They don't give a shit about right to lifers, christian groups, the conservative base or anybody. There is only one goal hang on to power while they stuff their pockets. When are these white working class folks going to wake up to the fact that they are being used and manipulated.

Sep 4, 2008

Like W she will be misunderestimated until it doesn't matter anymore when she is picking out the rugs and drapes for the Naval Observatory house.

Sep 4, 2008

I think she can do it. Rove is right, it's going to get nasty, but I don't think Palin is afraid of nasty.

Sep 4, 2008

hell no and what a shame to be away from her son, nothing like a mothers LOVE

Sep 4, 2008

I'd like to see how Palin does in a townhall format. Of course, I'd also like to see how Obama does in a townhall debate, but his team doesn't seem anxious to put him out there without the teleprompter.

Sep 4, 2008

It is good to see liberals squirming now that the conservatives have a great spokeswoman who can clearly and effectively convey their politics to the American people. They have been missing someone with this kind of charisma and you can feel a new found sense of energy and optimism in the Republican party. I think this will be seen as the moment that shifted momentum from the Democrats to the GOP and propelled them in to the White House. It is great to watch and wonderful to live in these interesting and important times.

Sep 4, 2008

That's good. I hope Rove is right, because she'll do great at all of it. It turns out it's not that hard to be a politician, though it's real hard to be a leader, which Sarah Palin does naturally.

Sep 5, 2008

I so sick and tired of the Republicans using that sexism card. Why shouldn't Sarah Palin be subject to the same criticisms and scrutiny that all politicians must endure while running for office. If she is so tough, why can't the McCain campaign let her defend herself without constantly whining that every criticism is sexist and ignore the question. If the men cant "fight her" without folks getting to sensitive, Obama should have a strong team a women to be is "attack dogs" against Palin. If she can't handle the heat, she should get out of the race.

Oct 5, 2008

i am a paid McCain troll. i get paid well. however, i cannot hold my nose long enough to troll for Palin. so i am quitting my job. tomorrow i will apply for a job at Davis Manafort.

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Yeas & Nays

Rove: Palin's Toughest Days Are Still Ahead

By: Jeff Dufour
Editor at Large/Columnist, "Yeas & Nays"
09/04/08 10:28 AM EDT