BY THE NUMBERS

Insiders Want To Hear Palin On Palin

by James A. Barnes and Peter Bell

Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008


Usually, the primary assignments of a vice presidential candidate is to sing the praises of the presidential nominee and attack his opponents. But in the case of Sen. John McCain's running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, most Republican political Insiders want to hear her talk about herself tonight.

Bloggers PollNational Journal has invited top bloggers to join in its survey of insiders for the Republican and Democratic conventions.

Specifically, when Palin delivers her acceptance speech before a prime-time television audience, the Insiders surveyed by National Journal want her to present herself as ready for the job of vice president.

Thirty-nine Insiders said that should be the focus of her remarks, while 23 said her principal aim tonight should be talking about McCain as a reformer. Two Insiders said she should play the traditional running mate role as attack dog and define Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama as too liberal.

None of the Insiders said her focus should be to talk about McCain as a conservative. Another 14 Insiders said her remarks should contain some combination of all of these themes, as well as talking about herself as a woman in politics and a working mom.

Insiders had many ideas on how she should address the "is she ready" issue that has swirled around Republican circles since McCain announced his surprise choice of Palin late last week.

"She needs to talk about herself as a proven reformer and an experienced conservative," said one Insider. "She needs to deliver a serious policy speech, demonstrating her expertise on energy issues and relating her experience, not just her personal story," said another Insider. "Let others take the swipes at the Ds."

Indeed, as Palin has just stepped onto the national stage, attacks from her on Obama might not work. "The governor has to talk about herself and her abilities," said one Insider. "She doesn't have the credibility or the name ID to attack anyone."

And while Palin passed the first-impressions test last Friday when McCain introduced her to a rally in Dayton, Ohio -- a test that was a challenge for former Sen. Dan Quayle of Indiana when George H. W. Bush unexpectedly announced him as his running mate -- tonight will pose another challenge.

"For most Americans, this will be their first introduction to her and Democrats are already attempting to define her as inexperienced and not ready," said one Insider. "Palin needs to take command of her image and come across as a strong leader comfortable with making executive decisions."

As one Insider put it, "She needs to hit one out of the park on the 'heartbeat away' front."

Other Insiders believe she has powerful credentials to address the reform issue as "a tough talkin' hockey mom who takes on big oil, the 'bridge to nowhere' and the scandal-ridden Alaska GOP," as one put it. "Americans will be charmed and impressed."

Said another: "Palin's value, beyond gender, is the thematic of reform. She should preach reform -- code for change and independence -- and demonstrate she is worthy for the job indirectly by impressing with her delivery."

No matter what she focuses on, the GOP Insiders say they hope Palin's performance tonight will allay concerns about her experience. "If she gives a good speech, seems intelligent, charming, engaged and committed, she will put to rest a lot of the concern about not being ready," said one Insider who wanted her to focus on McCain's reformist credentials.

More than one Insider said McCain's running mate should make it more personal tonight. As one put it, she should "tell the Sarah Palin story -- a working mom who, like millions of women in America, finds a way to be a mother, wife and breadwinner."

We also asked prominent bloggers to answer this question.

GOP Political Insiders: Dan Allen, Stan Anderson, Gary Andres, Saulius (Saul) Anuzis, Rich Ashooh, Whit Ayres, Brett Bader, Mitch Bainwol, Gary Bauer, David Beckwith, Wayne Berman, Charlie Black, Kirk Blalock, Carmine Boal, Jeff Boeyink, Ron Bonjean, Jeff Buley, Luke Byars, Nick Calio, Danny Carroll, Ron Christie, Jim Cicconi, Cesar Conda, Jake Corman, Charlie Crist, Greg Crist, Diane Crookham-Johnson, Fergus Cullen, Rick Davis, Mike Dennehy, Ken Duberstein, Steve Duprey, Debi Durham, Frank Fahrenkopf, John Feehery, Don Fierce, Carl Forti, Alex Gage, Sam Geduldig, Benjamin Ginsberg, Bill Greener, Jonathan Grella, Lanny Griffith, Janet Mullins Grissom, Doug Gross, Todd Harris, Steve Hart, Christopher Healy, Ralph Hellmann, Chris Henick, Terry Holt, David Iannelli, Clark Judge, David Keating, David Kensinger, Bruce Keough, Bob Kjellander, Ed Kutler, Chris Lacivita, Jim Lake, Chuck Larson, Steve Lombardo, Kevin Madden, Joel Maiola, Gary Maloney, David Marin, Mary Matalin, Dan Mattoon, Bill McInturff, Mark McKinnon, Kyle McSlarrow, Ken Mehlman, Jim Merrill, Mike Murphy, Phil Musser, Ron Nehring, Terry Nelson, Neil Newhouse, David Norcross, Ziad Ojakli, Jack Oliver, Van B. Poole, Tom Rath, Scott Reed, David Rehr, Steve Roberts, Jason Roe, David Roederer, Ed Rogers, Dan Schnur, Russ Schriefer, Rich Schwarm, Brent Seaborn, Rick Shelby, Andrew Shore, Don Sipple, Robin Smith, Javier Soto, Fred Steeper, Bob Stevenson, Eric Tanenblatt, Heath Thompson, Jay Timmons, Warren Tompkins, Ted Van Der Meid, Dirk van Dongen, Jan van Lohuizen, Dick Wadhams, John Weaver, Tom Wilson, Dave Winston, Ginny Wolfe, and Fred Wszolek.

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