As the three viable GOP candidates fight for the Republican nomination, one thing is certain: the goal of each is to lay claim to the title of “conservative.” For as far as grassroots voters are concerned, the search is not on for a “fiscal conservative” or a “social conservative,” but for one individual who embodies true conservatism, both fiscally and socially. And that’s why an endorsement right now by the right person–Gov. Christie is not the right person–means so much. (Of course it has to be supported by the candidate’s own conservative past.) But it’s also why criticism from the right person is so damning: especially if that person carries the kind of clout Gov. Sarah Palin carries with the Tea Party.
From the moment Palin opted not to run for president, many believed the role she’d play in the upcoming 2012 presidential election would be that of kingmaker: that the GOP candidate whom she supported would be not only be the Republican nominee, but also the next President of the United States. However, right now Mitt Romney is finding out how crucial a role she can play in simply questioning the conservative credentials of one of the remaining GOP contenders.
In an appearance on Fox News Sunday over the past weekend, when Palin was asked why Romney seems to get so close to sealing the deal, only to lose to a candidate who appears more conservative, Palin said:
I am not convinced [that he’s conservative] and I don’t think that the majority of GOP and independent voters are convinced. And that is why you don’t see Romney get over the hump. He’s still in the 30 percentile mark when it comes to approval and primary wins and caucus wins. He still hasn’t risen above that yet because we are not convinced.
Palin also pointed to the fact that Romney’s past is a “moderate past,” and “in some cases, a liberal past.” And between his former pro-abortion stances, his current man-made global warming views, and his history of supporting the assault weapons ban, Palin’s statements appear unquestionable.
Of course, Romneycare–a measure Romney seems determined to defend come hell or high water–continues to remind conservative voters that the former Massachusetts Gov. supports top-down, government run medicine. And Palin pointed this out as well, when she said: “He agreed with mandating on a state level what his constituents needed to be provided, needed to purchase in the way of health care and Romneycare, which, of course, was the precursor to Obamneycare. Now, that’s a problem.”
Is Gov. Palin a kingmaker? If the November 2010 congressional elections are any indicator, the answer is yes. And what that means for Romney is that the kingmaker’s no-so-subtle hesitance may be enough to keep him from reaching the throne. “Now, that’s a problem.”
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