Republican Strategists Warn of "Catastrophic" Outcome with Palin as Nominee

Strategic Insights -

Top Republican strategist Steve Schmidt has expressed concerns about Sarah Palin's potential candidacy in the 2012 presidential election, labeling it as potentially "catastrophic" for the party. Schmidt, who worked as John McCain's chief campaign strategist in 2008, believes Palin's nomination would lead to a losing election result. Meanwhile, Democratic strategist Robert Shrum suggests that the Republican party's lack of fresh ideas may drive independent voters towards third-party candidates. The consensus among strategists is that the next election is still Barack Obama's to lose, with the economy playing a crucial role in determining the outcome.

Key Takeaways:

  • Steve Schmidt, former chief campaign strategist for John McCain, views Sarah Palin's potential candidacy as potentially "catastrophic" for the Republican party.
  • Schmidt believes Palin's nomination would lead to a losing election result, citing concerns about her ability to win the presidency.
  • Democratic strategist Robert Shrum suggests that the Republican party's lack of fresh ideas may drive independent voters towards third-party candidates.
  • Shrum argues that those independent voters are more likely to seek out third party candidates due to the Republican party's current dearth of ideas.
  • Both Schmidt and Shrum agree that the next election is still Barack Obama's to lose, with the economy playing a crucial role in determining the outcome.
  • Palin has fueled speculation about her potential candidacy with the upcoming release of her book, "Going Rogue".
  • Schmidt is quoted as saying that he may be portrayed as "anti-rogue" in Palin's book due to his opposition to her running style.

Statistics:

  • Steve Schmidt's tenure as John McCain's chief campaign strategist in 2008.
  • Sarah Palin's potential candidacy in the 2012 presidential election.
  • Republican party's lack of fresh ideas (as described by Democratic strategist Robert Shrum).
  • Independent voters seeking out third-party candidates due to Republican party's current status (as argued by Shrum).
  • Barack Obama's current status as the likely winner of the next election (according to Schmidt and Shrum).
  • Palin's book, "Going Rogue", released shortly before the election.

Sources:

  • (ANI) - Asian News International, "Republican strategists warn of 'catastrophic' outcome with Palin as nominee", October 3, Copyright 2009.