One Mans Opinion - 9/17/2010
By Dewaine Shoulders

Well, it's Constitution Day. Considering the fact that the current administration is using it for toilet paper, I thought it was fitting to speak of the next presidential elections in 2012.

The Mayan Calender predicts that 12/21/12 will be the end of the world to some people. To me, it marks the beginning of a new era; a new age of possibilities. And in that mindset, allow me to talk about my favorite potential candidate...

When it comes to Sarah Palin, some people shrug while some grimace. Then there are those of us who sit up and pay attention. Not everyone gets her appeal, nor do they understand what it is she's doing. But some do, and that's a start.

Fox News ran a story about her being in Iowa; pondering if she was setting herself up for a run at the White House... Clearly hinting at that possibility.

In the story, taken from the AP, it says:
'DES MOINES, Iowa -- Former Alaska governor Sarah Palin is on a roll: Her political endorsements have helped propel upstart Republican contenders to victory in recent primaries, her cable TV show makes its debut in November, and now she's off to Iowa, a state that has made and broken its share of presidential campaigns.

The 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate will be the big draw at Friday's Reagan Dinner in Des Moines, the Iowa Republican Party's biggest fundraiser, and the question that will be on everyone's mind is whether she'll run for president in 2012.

Iowa, home to the nation's leadoff presidential caucuses, can be tough terrain for celebrity candidates. Those who try to ride their fame to victory in Iowa without organizing a grass-roots campaign often find themselves on the outs.

Palin is far from alone in taking early steps to court Iowa activists. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has made multiple trips to the state, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has put a staff member in Iowa and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania all have visits in the works.'

It would seem that she is testing the waters, just like the others mentioned in the article. But, if Sarah Palin runs, she will more than likely have the backing of the Tea Party, and most religious conservatives. But she would need to broaden her appeal to 'everyday Americans.'

Given her current appeal, Sarah Palin needs to spread her message to that broader audience, showing them that she isn't the Tina Fey version they have seen on TV, nor the woman portrayed by the mainstream media. She needs to strengthen her message and image as a woman that knows how to fix what's wrong in America and also show how to bring all parties together to move America forward.

I say the time is right for her to make a go of it. After all, 2012 is the beginning of new possibilities. But in order for her to have a shot at winning, she needs to become the next Ronald Reagan... And I truly believe that she is fast becoming that kind of leader.

She clearly has an advantage at the moment, and she could use that to get the upper hand on any potential candidates that choose to run for president. And considering some of the potential candidates, she could easily end up as the front-runner.

But the question remains: Can she beat Obama?

YES SHE CAN!

But that's just my opinion, I could be right!