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Sarah Palin speaks during a rally in Florida. |
To the dismay of all but hard-core political junkies, the endless campaign is a reality of modern politics. With some midterm races still unresolved, voters’ attention is already turned to 2012. And no potential presidential candidate now garners more attention than former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.
Love her or hate her, admire her or fear her, respect her or ridicule her, it seems no one in the chattering class is without an opinion on Palin. Virtually every part of her life is dissected — sometimes by her own choice. Each word is scrutinized, and each misstep — no matter how small — is treated as breaking news.
Palin has made clear that she is thinking about running for president. Everyone, from pundits to former first ladies, has weighed in on what she should do. Many urge her not to run.
But if she decides to, Republicans of all stripes should applaud her decision. This isn’t an endorsement of her candidacy. It is, however, an endorsement of her right to participate in the process.
If we want a GOP nominee prepared for the rough-and-tumble of the general election, then we need a rigorous primary. To ensure we nominate the best our party has to offer, we need as many of our leaders as are willing to throw their hats in the ring. If we want to guarantee that our standard-bearer reflects Republican values and priorities, then we need a diverse field to choose from.
The presidential primary process isn’t a coronation — even when it’s expected to be. Just ask Hillary Clinton.
The Republican Party has a proud history of competitive races. Not even sitting presidents have been immune. Ronald Reagan, the father of the modern conservative movement, challenged President Gerald Ford in 1976. Few today begrudge Reagan that insurgent campaign. Indeed, many credit it with giving birth to today’s conservative movement.
Palin has earned the right to run if she chooses. Despite the left’s caricature of her, Palin’s résumé more than qualifies her as a top-tier candidate. She brings almost 20 years of public service experience to the table. She has served as city council member, mayor, chairwoman of Alaska’s Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, governor and GOP vice presidential nominee.
Men with no elective experience have sought the GOP nomination. In the 2012 cycle, we might see a former mayor, a former ambassador, a senator defeated by almost 20 points in his reelection bid, a sitting governor and a former one-term governor all seek the Republican nomination. Rightly, none of these men has been urged not to run — and neither should Palin.
At the end of the day, we place our faith in GOP primary voters. We should trust voters in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina — not the pundits or professional politicos — to begin the process of thinning the presidential timber.
We don’t pretend to know what Palin will do — and can’t tell her what’s in the best interest of her and her family. We can, however, say with confidence that if she wants to run, she should. She has earned that right.
A Palin candidacy would be good for the process, good for our party and good for our country.
Grover Norquist is the president of Americans for Tax Reform. Christopher Barron is president of CapSouth Consulting and chairman of GOProud, a advocacy group representing gay conservatives and their allies.
Politico
