WASHINGTON (CNN) – It looks like Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin may have one less fan.
On the same day that Palin is set to transfer power to her lieutenant governor, Republican strategist Alex Castellanos said her prospects for national office looked grim.
“’I’ve been a supporter of Sarah Palin - at times,” Castellanos said Sunday on CNN’s State of the Union. “She gave the McCain campaign its best two weeks. But, you know, if we’re going to be critical of Democrats when they shirk their responsibilities, we have do the same within our own house. She abandoned her state in the middle of a term.”
On the national political stage, Castellanos, who worked as a political consultant for Mitt Romney's 2008 presidential bid, likened Palin to former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. The Arkansas Republican’s long shot bid for the White House in the last election cycle gained traction when he pulled out a surprise win in Iowa’s Republican caucus but then Huckabee lost steam when he could not follow through with wins in other key primaries.
“We’re going to have a division in the Right in the Republican Party,” Castellanos told CNN Chief National Correspondent John King, “We now have two Mike Huckabees – people who have a powerful force in the party but can’t get out of the party in a general election and win.”
Conservative radio talk show host Bill Bennett was noncommittal about Palin’s prospects.
“I have no opinion about this. I really don’t know what’s going to happen with Sarah Palin,” Bennett told King.
Also on State of the Union Sunday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell suggested Palin has a bright future within the Republican Party.
“Boy, I don’t think we’ve seen the last of Sarah Palin,” McConnell told King, “She excites an awful lot of members of my party. They’re anxious to see what she’s going to do next and so am I.”
“I hope, as a Democrat, Mitch McConnell is right,” Democratic strategist Paul Begala told King. “I hope she’s their nominee because I think she’s the easiest to beat.”
Related: I'm not thinking about Palin's new move, Obama aide says
Begala, Bennett, and Castellanos are all CNN Political Contributors.
Updated: 4:24 p.m.
From CNN Politics
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"“Boy, I don’t think we’ve seen the last of Sarah Palin,” McConnell told King, “She excites an awful lot of members of my party. They’re anxious to see what she’s going to do next and so am I.”"
bussy boy
Paul Begala is correct when he says she is the easiest to beat...that's why we dems want her to run in 2012...Run Sarah Run.....lol
Of course her picnic drew mostly supporters. Why would anyone else waste their time with this poor excuse for a politician.
Let her die an easy death. The media is the only group keeping her alive. Quitting early, ethics problems, foot-in-the-mouth disease all need healing time, and we ar eall tired of thsi!
Republicans have put on an impressive display of what not to do when you lose in any kind of competition. This now includes speaking ill of your friends.
Republicans are content with dumbing down their party. They seem content with having the most popular rather than the most capable. They decided they rather have the person who they most wanted to have a beer with rather than a nerd. They preferred to allow fear and smear to take over their party than someone who tells the truth. We see the results. Now you have some who actually think Sarah Palin is the best Republicans have to offer for no other reason than she is cute .
Well...who is this Catellanos, anyway? As a Republican strategist, what did he do to help Republicans win anything last year? Can't CNN stop giving these know-nothings a platform, or is it a part of your over-all strategy to see Republicans stay beaten? I'm also wondering if execs at CNN and the other media outlets are going to like to see their taxes go through the roof because of their blind support for Obama and the Dems.
Now here is a Lady worth her salt... If you do anything to her level of Energy. You need your Salt. Is she not a new product of???
Why is this a story today , I forgot that there is so much bashing available for Obama you had to provide a vent for the Socialist Liberal militia.
Isn't it odd that Mr. Castellanos would compare Mrs. Palin to the current Fox News host and contributor ? Is that a telepathic message from fellow conservatives or a CNN attack on the Fox News Channel ? I see no comparisons between the two former governors other than being the Relgious Right's flavor of the moment .
Ya think? Sarah Palin is an idiot, through and through. I hope so much that she will just go away...but I'm afraid that we won't be that fortunate, and that instead she will continue to inflict herself on the American public. God help anyone who views her as the Republican party's savior! She is not only a bad dream, she is a nightmare. Can you spell w-h-a-c-k-o??
Who can trust her if she manages to secure a role in public office? When it gets rough or not to her liking like the pipeline or her time as governor, will she up and leave?
Past performance is an indicator of future performance in almost all things.
Palin has a huge following. She can do anything she desires. The sky's the limit.
Huckabee served out his entire term, Huckabee has his own talk show, Huckabee successfully fought obesity, Huckabee is a former pastor with good morales, Huckabee has ideas for the country. He may not have made it through the primaries but he's served his country with honor and is still a leading voice. I usually don't agree w/ him but he's a good man and doesn't deserve to be compared to Sarah Palin.
The average republican follower (not their leaders, who are often cunning and amoral) is easily fooled and is most attracted to the anti-intellectualism or downright stupidity that is Sarah Palin.
Unfortunately the once proud Republican Party has been reduced to an anti-science fundamentally ignorant crowd that now sees one of the own as a heroine (Palin), while their leaders and insiders try to steer this mass to a more devious and amoral type like Mitt Romney.
Bill Bennett, save at last! A non-slam dunk issue I can aviod an not have to waiver on. IT"S NOT REP and IT"S NOT DEM, what do I say?
Bill, get off the pot! YOUR slam dunk GOP analysis won"t work in EVERY scenario. Comment, state an opinon (not a problem against the DEMS) and move on.
YOU LOOK partisan, biased and un..............................
Only Mitch McConnell would say that Palin has a bright future in the repub party. What would he say of a democrat if they quit in the middle of their term? McConnell needs to go home, quit the Senate, and realize that unless the repubs wake up, that the world will pass them by. I believe in some of the "old" principles of the repub party-like being financially responsible, but this party has been hijacked by the extremists. Goldwater would shake his head, and have a few words to say to his fellow republicans if he were still alive. I hope Palin fades in to the background and never raises her head again (although this will not happen since there are still a number of repubs out there that believe she has a brain). Does anyone remember how she doled out royalties from the pipeline to the citizens of Alaska? Isn't this socialism you guys?
I would like to see people ruining for a higher office resign the office they have. If they are electioneering, they aren't doing their job. I would like term limits also. Two terms max and no benifits after office, they can pay into SS.
I don't know how she manages to stay in the spotlight
Palin is nuts
two elections in a row....and that's why Obama is ONE and DONE.
Huckabee,and Palin would be a good GOP ticket in 2012. they could wink,and pray their way into office.
Palin neds to get a job , but not in politics she is stupid and a show off.
As a Democrat, I hope she's the Energizer Bunny that keeps going and going and going and...
The more blatantly anti-intellectual the Republican Party becomes, the better off it is for Democrats' chances– and the future of our country. And (former, don't-look-at-me-I-quit) Governor Palin puts all of that into a little box with a pretty bow on top.
Go, Palin, go!
Why are we supposed to care?
you old and status quo REpublicans are so out of touch that you make my butt sore, and I'm a republican.
I wont vote for Democratic Liers or Out Of Touch Republicans.
Bring Back Ross Perot
One of Romney's people is critizing Palin for shirking their responsibilities? In Romney's first and only term in public service, as Governor of MA, he was gone for over 300 days in his final year raising funds and his profile for a run for president.
Romney couldn't even complete 1 term of public service before he got distracted with his own ego, so he shouldn't be criticizing (through his henchmen) Palin, who was mayor before being elected Governor. Romney may be richer than the rest of the republican candidates, but it doesn't mean he doesn't have to do any work anymore.
I don't think she wants to run for President. I think she wants out of public office for that reason: to get out of public office. I do think that she will still be active in the political world and still give speeches for the conservative movement. I think there are a lot of people wanting her to run, but she seems like she wants out. I don't blame her. I have never seen someone be attacked as much as she has, even after she lost the election. Liberals must still be scared that she will run though, because CNN keeps posting about her every move.
CNN hasn't asked any real Republicans in it's zeal to destroy Palin!
Keep an eye on Russia for us...in case it moves or something.
A CONCERNED AMERICAN.
Woohooo! I've been a quitter all my life and it is great to finally see a quitter-leader taking it to another level and inspiring millions of quitters just like me around the country.
Lead us to the white house 2012 Palin where you can just resign a year into your presidency because the media was too mean and critical
And we should listen to Mitt Romney's aides comments! One reason Huckabee had to pull out was money – he was flying coach and using buses to spend his money wisely while Romney is rolling in it!
When will people look at those who are of modest means like themselves instead of voting in someone who claims to be like them but has millions + $. Look at the money that Obama is spending on his vacation in Martha's Vineyard. Does that make you feel like he is one of us, the middle class?
Go ahead, republicans. Run a quitter with a penchant for victimhood as your candidate. No, really, it's a good idea.
another republican who is widly envious of palin, and who doesn't even know what the word Stategist means, and still thinks he can tell Iran how to run their elections.
I think Alex Constellanos is right about this. Palin appeals to the extreme far right. She is unable to win the moderate voters. That was obvious last November.
sarah "the pitbull in lipstick" palin is a quitter, period. she is now out for the money. she couldn't wait 1 more year until her term was up. she wants the money now. she is the biggest joke around. hopefully she will use some of the money to further her education. she thinks money will help her fit in with the snobby rich repugs. they think she's a joke as well. so long sarah. I hope we never have to hear your annoy voice and 3rd grade volcabulary again. I know that is wishful thinking.
She says she wants to campaign for Republicans who are running for office. What GOP candidate would want her to campaign for him/her? Is she that vain that she thinks she can pull in votes with her record? She suffers from delusions of grandeur! Sure she draws crowds, in the same way people come out to see the circus coming to town, or the people in checkout counters stare at the latest story made up about a celebrity! If they have any sense they'll tell her thanks, but no thanks. She is the kiss of death. Ask McCain!
I'm just going to repeat myself.. She is Beautiful no doubt and electrfying.... BUt I feels she is very shallow.. Low on education.. needs to enhance her degrees.. Maybe study some law.. I also feel she is very shallow on a personal level.. If she doesn't like the way you play, she takes her toys and goes home. and it is Never her fault always someone else....I think she qualifies wonderfully to work on Fox...
My god can this woman please go away already! Maybe then we can focus on double digit unemployment and an increasing deficit – things people actually care about.
Maybe she could get a job with Fox network too and only her Republican buddies would watch her.
If Mrs. Palin were to turn to CNN and yell "Boo!", how high do you think they would jump.
Have you EVER seen a news organization so infatuated or who have feared a political figure as much as CNN fears Palin?
She must be PRETTY AMAZING to be in CNN's cross-hairs so often.
GO SARAH, GO!
THANK YOU! A Republican that sees the glaring deception of this move by Palin! The fact that she has so much support from poeple that say they are Republicans despite walking away from her committment, astounded me, yet no one had come forth from her side except to defend her.
So again, thank you!
What? Bill Bennett is lost for words? I'll bet he'll never be speechless when it comes to giving his unsolicited advice of a Democrat. Personally, it is hard to look and hear any comments from Mr. Bennette. It's about time he has no opinion.
Obviously CNN is very much in the tank for Palin. Exactly how many stories are you going to run about this has-been loser in one day?
Go Sarah! Go Mike. Your party needs you because we aren't divided enough.
We don't need a US version of the Taliban and when you want the government to control what individuals do in their own homes, that is what you are pushing.
As expected, Castellanos and other Republicrats who consumed the kool-aid with their soul mate Dems, have totally missed the unstated point of Mrs. Palin's resignation: with her right hand she poked the Dems in their eyes, with her left the Republicans. She parted with both in what I believe will be another path which will lead to both of the former becoming irrelevant. The two parties have morphed into one and betrayed the people, good ridance.
Umm....if I recall correctly, didn't Huckabee come in second place?? He has far more appeal that Mitt Romney. And after RomneyCare has failed, I don't know if Romney even has any support left.
That's right Alex – she's a QUITTER! Even members of the Grand Obstructionism Party don't like QUITTERS that are fellow members!
Thats right let her run.......Obama could screw up from now till the end of 2012 and he could still bet her
You've got to love these GOP-ers. They will hammer away at anything, even their own people.
I would just love to see Sarah Palin as the 2012 GOP Presidental Nominee. I don't think I could be any happier if that was the case.
tell us something we haven't known for over two years...you're just catching on now Alex? I would say you're not the sharpest tool in the shed.
Sara will do fine maybe not in the washington arena because i think she is to honest. She wouldn't lie to us like.
No Lobbist in my adminstration.
No tax on the middle class.(cap and trade, Social medican.)
Well I could go on but heven forbid if their was someone honest in WASHINGTON.
Palin is the most polarizing member of her party. When you figure in how disingenuous she is it adds up to 4 more years of Obama as the lesser of two evils candidate all over again.
Hear this Palin supporters: SHE IS TOAST. . . .
It is curious that most media outlets have concentrated on the recent ABC/WaPo poll, giving Governor Palin's favourable/unfavourable rating at 40%/53%. There seems to have been very little reporting of her favourable/unfavourable ratings by Rasmussan 47/45, Pew 47/46, Gallup 43/45, and Public Policy Polling 47/45. In a July survey, Public Policy Polling gave her a score of 43% to Obama's 51% in a 2012 hypotethical matchup. This was a gap of 8%, which compares with a gap of 20 points (35%/55%) for a similar poll last March. The July poll was taken after her resignation as Governor. No one with any political acument can doubt that she is the most potent threat that the Democrats face in 2010 and 2012.
The fact that Bill Bennett has no opinion on this is insightful. It demonstrates how low these guys really are.
The Republican Governor of a state, one with obvious Presidential aspirations, quits in the middle of scandal after scandal laid at her feet and Bennett has no opinion? Beyond disgusting.
I burned his crappy morality books as the opportunistic pieces of fraud they really are. And to think I once admired this guy.
Run, Sarah, Run. 2012 is your time to take on the Republican establishment and re-own the party for the social conservatives. You should also propose changing the party name to the Conservative Republican Party, as that is what it truly is. Go girl!
Are you sure Senator McConnell, when talking about Sara Palin, didn't say, "She excites an awful lot of my party's members!"
I personally believe she has a lot going for her. I also liked the Titanic, and the stock market in 1929. If she supports the Birther movement, she has my vote.
No accident that your headline on the homepage says "GOP loser" instead of "Huckabee" in the comparison to Palin. CNN, you are pathetic. You have sacrificed all journalistic integrity and objectivity in favor of plugging an Obama agenda. I notice that you headline any poll that has unfavorable numbers for Palin, but haven't mentioned at all that Obama's approval ratings are hitting all-time lows. Keep the propaganda going, CNN! You are truly scum when it comes to journalistic quality and integrity, and your ratings will continue to tank.
Palin keeps asking God what she should do next, but He keeps replying, "I'll have to get back to ya on that, Sarah".
Palin is planning on being the next rush or ann coulter. She is perfect for the job. She can make alot of money and get alot of attention, which is what she really wants. She would never make it in a national elected position. She is just not up to it.
I don't know, the more I hear about Sarah Palin the more I'm beginning to like her. If she were to run against Obama you better bet I'd vote for Palin.
Palin is runing for the Presidency in 2012??? Why??? So shr can quit afetr 2 years???
She couldn't defeat Obama last year, how can she defeat him in 2012?? Go ahead, make my day and let Palin run for office.
Don't put her down, she is the best the GOP has to offer!! Sarah, please, run in 2012!! During these extremely hard times we are going through we need the laughter you bring into our lives!!! With health care premiums being so high we need tons of laughter in our lives to keep the doctor away! Thanks, Sarah, for being so thoughtful.
The Republican "Pit Bull" is appropriately nick-named and represents the party quite accurately. They're not the brightest dog, they behave badly when threatened, and stupid people will gather to watch them fight.
In God she trust and not on manipulations. The conscience of truth will always overcome...let sarah live her freedom as it best suits her creator and family.
Palin... HAR HAR.