[Guest post by DRJ]
Politico headlines this week’s GOP feud featuring Weekly Standard editor Bill Kristol and former McCain campaign chairman Steve Schmidt:
“Rival factions close to the McCain campaign have been feuding since last fall over Palin, usually waging the battle in the shadows with anonymous quotes. Now, however, some of the most well-known names in Republican politics are going on-the-record with personal attacks and blame-casting.
William Kristol, the editor of The Weekly Standard and at times an informal adviser to Sen. John McCain, touched off the latest back-and-forth Tuesday morning with a post on his magazine’s blog criticizing the Todd Purdum-authored Palin story and pointing a finger at Steve Schmidt, McCain’s campaign manager.”
Kristol, with support from former McCain advisor Randy Scheunemann, believe Schmidt was responsible for rumors that Palin’s behavior was caused by post-partum depression. I guess PPD is today’s version of the Eagleton situation, but Politico does a good job summing up the real issue:
“Was Palin a fresh talent whose debut was mishandled by self-serving campaign insiders, or an eccentric “diva” who had no business on the national stage? Going forward, does she offer a conservative and charismatic face for a demoralized and star-less party? Or is she a loose cannon who should be consigned to the tabloids where she can reside in perpetuity with other flash-in-the-pan sensations?”
I think Palin should be Palin but IMO she has two choices: First, get a good campaign staff and manager and bet it all on being herself. With luck and good timing, she may be able to do what Obama did — especially with so many problems in unemployment and the economy.
Alternatively, she could run a Hillary-type campaign that focuses on gravitas and bland steadiness. This approach probably won’t win a primary, let alone a general election, but it could position Palin for a Senate run or a position in a future Republican Administration.
— DRJ