Reply #26: Different situations entirely.

[HughBeaumont]

Reagan was a convincing corporate spokesperson, folksy demeanor and was groomed to succeed what was perceived at the time as a very weak presidency. With no strong challengers in his way and corporate America on his side, this was a "Right Person, Right Time" situation for the GOP.

Bewsh 43 got in because of his name, his daddy's buddies on the Supreme Court, blatant election theft, Gore's horrible campaign (selecting Lieberman and moving away from the positive attributes of the Clinton Administration didn't help matters) a mostly unvigilant public & internet, stupidity from independents and dirty trickery from Rove.

This isn't 1980 or 2000.

Sarah Palin only has the support of this country's grizzled nutjob Tea Klux Klan contingent and the religious whackjobs. She freely and without care aligns herself with the fringest of the fringe right wing-ding groups. Anyone with a brain stem can see this woman isn't qualified to run a Burger King, let alone this country. She's a tabloid comedy act. Thinking conservatives really aren't that jazzed about her, her family or her irresponsible behavior, which is why they're understandably concerned about 2012. I don't really even think she has near the media support Bewsh and Reagan did.

They know deep down she wouldn't even pose a remote threat to Barack Obama's re-election chances, and chances are, she's pretty much who they'll be stuck running with. Despite what you read on DU, most of the people who voted for Obama are glad they did. I just don't see her gaining any Obama states.