April 9, 2010 8:06 AM

Schieffer: GOP Looking Inward For Now

By
David Morgan
Topics
Republicans

Republicans are gathering in New Orleans this weekend for the Southern Republican Leadership Conference, featuring such GOP stars as Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich and Liz Cheney.

On "The Early Show" this morning CBS News chief Washington correspondent Bob Schieffer alluded to the usual suspects of 2012 candidates in attendance, such as former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, but noted that two people who are expected to run — for Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty — aren't bothering to show up.

Gingrich took aim at President Obama and his White House courtside interview on "The Early Show" one week ago: "Shooting three-point shots may be clever, but it doesn't put anybody to work," he said. "What we need is a president, not an athlete."

"I think what's going on in New Orleans now is about the Republican Party and not yet really about the American people and what their reaction is," said Schieffer. "These would-be candidates are trying to get the attention of donors to begin to build a base here. This is very, very early in this whole process.

"The next serious thing Republicans have to do is concentrate on these Congressional elections later this year," Schieffer said. "Once we get past that, I think you'll begin to see the presidential candidates, as it were, begin to sort themselves out and start appealing to people."

Newt Gingrich: We Need a President, Not an Athlete (4.08.10)

Liz Cheney: Obama Putting America on Path to Decline (4.08.10)

Money Flows into RNC, but Steele Still Hounded (4.07.10)

Could a New Report Spell More Trouble for the RNC? (4.07.10)

The Battle Begins for 2012 GOP Contenders (4.07.10)

Also in New Orleans this weekend is the former Governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin.

CBS News national correspondent Dean Reynolds said the 3,000 Republicans in attendance will be looking for any sign of the future intentions of Palin, who has been busy stumping for fellow Republicans, delivering high-profile speeches to conservative groups, and becoming a regular presence on TV.

Virtually everywhere she goes she receives a rapturous reception from her carefully-selected audiences, Reynolds notes, but a new CBS News poll would suggest that her appeal cannot be broadened to make her a viable presidential contender — Only 24 percent of the country (only 43 percent of Republicans) views her favorably.

Schieffer repeated his belief that she will not be a contender.

"I think she's very good at raising money," Schieffer said, "I think she's very good at coining phrases and so on. But let's not forget this is someone who resigned governorship of a very small state, a very small population.

"I find it very difficult to believe that someone who could resign an office like that could actually be a viable candidate when it comes right down to that. You think about when she gets in a primary, when people are going to vote, her opponent is bound to say, 'Sarah, when the going gets tough, will you get out?' I think that's still a very tall hill for her to climb. Others might disagree with me, but I still believe that."

Which begs the question for Republicans in 2012: If not Palin, who?

CBS News political analyst Marc Ambinder says that the problem for the GOP is, "When you think 'Republican' these days, no one's face comes to mind."


  • David Morgan

    David Morgan is a senior editor at CBSNews.com and cbssundaymorning.com.

Add a Comment
by rmonroe401 April 9, 2010 6:26 PM EDT
fiddlestickawshucks,

Please, please, please, please stop spouting Fox News talking points. Obama passed comprehensive health care reform that will help people get insurance, keep their insurance, and force insurance companies to actually PAY when a claim is submitted! A novel idea, i know. If you continue to listen to Glen Beck, Rush Limbaugh, and Fox News in general you will never be anything but a talking points head who has no idea about the issues. Put some time into it and research it yourself. Stay away from cable news in the process and you will come out with some real answers, and you will be surprised to see these real answers are the opposite of what Fox News is telling you. Just think about it, if you were in a crowded theatre and a large group of people were yelling fire, but their was these couple of fringe people in the corner telling you everything is fine, no need to leave, who would you listen to? Fox News are the ones in the corner telling you the opposite of reality to further their corporate interests. WAKE UP.
Reply to this comment
by multipoise April 9, 2010 6:14 PM EDT
by fiddlestickawshucks April 9, 2010 2:51 PM EDT

""He promised a transparent government, no closed doors.
He delivered closed doors in an effort to force his health care plan.""

I imagine that if someone never bothered to examine the multiple versions and iterations of health care bills published all over creation as they were developed, they may have your perception.

This admidnstration is amazingly open compared to the past administration, all you have to do is open your eyes and actually be able to read.

As for the rest of your rant, my comment above also applies.
Reply to this comment
by robstoddard April 9, 2010 10:14 AM EDT
Are the Democrats any better?

Face it, we need a whole new set of players, people that answer questions and don't beat around the bush. I see the likes of Jesse Ventura as the only hope we have. Progressives like Bush, Hillary, Obama, 80% of the senate, McCain... they are all killing our country. Mass media is also progressive. Most people I talk to that say "Palin is stupid" couldn't tell me anything about her objectively... they merely quoted soundbytes from progressive media sources. Believe me, I can make any genius look stupid given enough recordings of intelligent conversation.

Stop believing the media, start listening to the politicians, and start looking at their record. Also, don't vote for "getting it free" vote for freedom.
Reply to this comment
by Zann-Zel April 9, 2010 1:36 PM EDT
"Progressives are killing our country"
=======

I do not understand how the words progress or progressive were turned into negative words? Look at the definitions........

Progress - the development of an individual or society in a direction considered more beneficial than and superior to the previous level.

Progressive - favoring or advocating progress, change, improvement, or reform, as opposed to wishing to maintain things as they are, esp. in political matters: a progressive mayor.
by multipoise April 9, 2010 6:23 PM EDT
by robstoddard April 9, 2010 10:14 AM EDT
".... I see the likes of Jesse Ventura as the only hope we have. .... I talk to that say "Palin is stupid" couldn't tell me anything about her objectively... ""

Oh?

Apparently you have not seen this:
http://blogs.citypages.com/blotter/2010/04/jesse_ventura_c_1.php
by chris87654 April 9, 2010 9:16 AM EDT
SPO101 has some good points - backscratching during Republican control concentrated wealth and proved "trickle down" economics don't work - money goes from the workers up to the fat cats, and there nothing left to go upstream after jobs/money go out of the US. Yeah, Clinton had issues, and really can't take credit for the good days (the PC increased production and spurred the economy in back then), but he didn't divide the country into haves/havenots, and what he was doing with bimbos behind closed doors is what the Republicans have done to the entire nation.
Reply to this comment
by chris87654 April 9, 2010 9:05 AM EDT
I guess looking inward means they'll be fingerpointing within their own party and whining about why they're losing elections. Republicans haven't come up with viable solutions for anything since Bush went on the defense. Palin is the worst - all she cares about is being on center stage and riling up her groupies - luckily the Palinians are so few in number (albeit very LOUD) that their support doesn't matter in a general election.
Reply to this comment
by PulSamsara April 9, 2010 8:26 AM EDT
The Republican Party is a dead party of old decaying ideas. When will it split - any day now.
Reply to this comment
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