During a speech last week, Sarah Palin wondered aloud why the phrase “In God We Trust” had been moved from the center to the rim of the dollar coin, saying, “Who makes a decision like that? It’s a disturbing trend.”
The former vice presidential candidate was clearly pointing the finger at President Obama, which is funny considering:
A. Anyone with half a brain would figure it must take more than 10 months in office to change the face of currency.
B. The coins were actually commissioned in 2005 by the Republican-led government.
C. Then-President George W. Bush approved the change.
This is my long-winded way of asking whether Democrats like myself are better off rooting for Sarah Palin to fail in her efforts to earn the 2012 Republican presidential nomination, or to succeed. It’s a toughie.
If Palin fails, we’re left with Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty, Mike Huckabee. While I strongly, strongly, strongly disagree with the stances of those politicians, I can’t argue that they’re qualified to be president. All three men have done some impressive governmental work, especially Romney (who I despise/respect at the same time). And all three men would seem to be better candidates to head the Republican ticket.
If Sarah Palin is the nominee, I think Obama wins. Big. Really big. Obama may well be a liberal (thank God), but he’s a moderate liberal. Palin, on the other hand, is an arch-conservative. Arch, arch. She also quit her only impressive job, as governor, before completing her term. She also supported and opposed the Bridge to Nowhere. She also has a Fruit Loops-crazy family. And says bizarre things, like the “Death Panel” line. She came off as woefully unprepared during the 2008 campaign, but certainly will get up to speed during the four-year gap.
The risk, however, is a huuuuuuuge one. What if Sarah Palin (egad) wins? What if she runs a perfect campaign, or Obama runs a miserable one? Truth be told, I’d take a third Bush term over a Palin first. Without question.
So what do I want?
I want Obama-Palin.
And I want him to trounce her.
