Via Talking Points Memo, top Republican Strategist Mike Murphy--who served as Chief Strategist to John McCain, and Peggy Noonan discuss Sarah Palin, off mic: (cut away) Peggy Noonan: Yeah. Mike Murphy: You know, because I come out of the blue swing state governor world: Engler, Whitman, Tommy Thompson, Mitt Romney, Jeb Bush. I mean, these guys -- this is how you win a Texas race, just run it up. And it's not gonna work. And -- PN: It's over. MM: Still McCain can give a version of the Lieberman speech to do himself some good. CT: I also think the Palin pick is insulting to Kay Bailey Hutchinson, too. PN: Saw Kay this morning. CT: Yeah, she's never looked comfortable about this -- MM: They're all bummed out. CT: Yeah, I mean is she really the most qualified woman they could have turned to? PN: The most qualified? No! I think they went for this -- excuse me-- political bullshit about narratives -- CT: Yeah they went to a narrative. MM: I totally agree. PN: Every time the Republicans do that, because that's not where they live and it's not what they're good at, they blow it. MM: You know what' sreally the worst thing about it? The greatness of McCain is no cynicism, and this is cynical. CT: This is cynical, and as you called it, gimmicky. MM: Yeah.
Chuck Todd: Mike Murphy, lots of free advice, we'll see if Steve Schmidt and the boys were watching. We'll find out on your blackberry. Tonight voters will get their chance to hear from Sarah Palin and she will get the chance to show voters she's the right woman for the job
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Post Vetting Vetting: What Top Republicans Think of Palin (When They Are Off Mic)
