In many ways, Sarah Palin is like the Hillary Clinton of Republican politics — minus the presidential nomination and adulation of her own party. I can’t think of a single major accomplishment of the former governor of Alaska and 2008 vice presidential running mate of John McCain.
And like Hillary, Palin refuses to go away.
On Tuesday, Palin weighed in on the 2024 presidential election and, specifically, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who many expect to toss his hat in the ring. Palin, however, said in effect she thinks DeSantis should wait for his turn, as reported by Fox News.
Besides, Palin told NewsMax host Eric Boling, DeSantis “doesn’t need to run.”
DeSantis doesn’t need to [run]. I envision him as our president someday but not right now. He should stay governor for a bit longer. He’s young, you know. He has decades ahead of him where he can be our president.
Why not, and why so?
In reality, no presidential candidate ever needs to run, but arguably, the Republic Party needs DeSantis to run in 2024— and win. Moreover, presidential politics is littered with one-time potential candidates who missed their respective windows and never had a viable chance again.
“Shockingly,” Palin said Donald Trump, who endorsed her 2022 midterm campaign — which she lost — has the best chance at winning the 2024 Republican nomination.
When you talk about the specific people, the individual people who are looking at putting their hat in the ring… they got a lot of guts thinking they’re gonna go up against Trump,
Actually, Ms. Palin, I can think of two candidates (so far)— one declared and one not (yet) — who “have the guts to go up against Trump.” Former South Carolina governor and Trump’s United Nations ambassador, Nikki Haley, and DeSantis. Both are well aware of Trump’s willingness — make that eagerness — to launch personal attacks against anyone who dares to challenge him, instead of attempting to engage in meaningful policy debate with those who challenge him.
My favorite part of Palin’s sitdown with Boling was her description of the “perfect” running mate for Trump, which sounded “vaguely” (ahem) familiar:
Trump needs to choose somebody who, like him, has nothing to lose. What more can they do to that person personally or [with] verbal attacks or anything else on family? That person has been through the wringer, so they know what they’re getting into. And that person then can just focus on doing what’s right for the people.
Hmm… Any idea who Palin “might” have in mind for The Donald? Wait, by Jove, I think I’ve got it! Sarah Palin!
Palin and her “Maverick” nonsense were thoroughly mocked and ridiculed throughout the 2008 presidential election campaign, with many Republican pundits at the time, suggesting not only that she was a terrible pick, but also that McCain likely would’ve had a better chance of winning without “Snow Machine Sarah” dragging down his candidacy down.
Hilariously, when Boling asked if she was describing herself as a potential candidate for the vice presidency, Palin said “not necessarily,” while laughing. Hey, Sarah — I was laughing right there with you.
As is Palin’s wont, she then busted out a bit of self-serving pontification:
However, I’ll tell you, the opportunity that I had to run with someone who wasn’t as commonsense [of a] constitutional conservative as I, and I think the majority of Republicans were, but still having the opportunity to form a team like that in running, in offering ourselves up in service to America—oh my goodness, no greater honor, no greater opportunity.
Granted, John McCain left a lot to be desired in the constitutional conservative department, Ms. Palin, but you guys ran against Barack Obama and Joe Biden, for heaven’s sake.
Incidentally, Hillary — er — Palin lost twice in 2022, first, to Democrat Rep. Mary Peltola in a special election to represent Alaska’s at-large congressional district, then again in the 2022 midterm elections as she ran for a full term in the seat.
Now that I think of it, Palin would be an outstanding choice for Trump, and I also think the GOP would be best served by the former president making the announcement as soon as possible so Palin can get herself out there on the campaign trail, pronto!