There are times that I find myself hoping that Sarah Palin runs for President. I imagine her at an actual news conference. I picture her debating President Obama. I see an enormous amount of Tina Fey.
Then I slap myself for two reasons: First, I think about the unthinkable. In addition, I think that Presidential elections are about a real debate with real candidates. We ought to hope for the very best Republican possible who can, with authority and ease, present Republican ideas and values. The election in 2012 should be a contest between the best and the best.
Points in favor of hoping that she runs:
- If she runs, she will win the Republican Primary and lose the General Election. There is probably no easier path to Obama's re-election than Palin running.
- Every Republican running in 2012 will have to answer the question, "Do you support Sarah Palin for President?" There is no fudging on that one. There is no John McCain figleaf to wear. Each and every candidate is going to have to face the fact that a batshit crazy woman is the leader of their party.
- If it is true that laughter is the best medicine, Sarah Palin's candidacy will do more for the health of the nation than any amount of health care reform. Tina Fey, John Stewart, Dave Letterman, Jay Leno, Conan O'Brien and nearly every other comedian will be funnier by a factor of 10.
Points in opposition to her running:
- Deep down under the lowest recesses of my thoughts is a nagging image: Sarah Palin taking the oath of office. Elections can be crazy things. North can seem like south. Up can seem like down. Its a little like flying a plane at night when there are no instruments and no reference point to find the horizon. I don't have an image of what happens after the inauguration because the nightmare always ends right there. I don't ever think about all of her tea party buddies taking up positions in the government, such as Tom Tancredo becoming Secretary of Homeland Security or Glenn Beck going to the Supreme Court.
It can't really happen, can it? Even if it did happen, the Democrats in Congress would no doubt have the courage and backbone to stop the really crazy stuff. Right?
Fear and loathing is (or ought to be) the exclusive domain of Republicans. I don't fear her or hate her. And yet...