Even if the John McCain campaign loses on Election Day – not a guarantee, no matter what liberals think – Alaska Governor Sarah Palin will emerge a winner.
An electrifying choice for vice president, she proved that Barack Obama does not have a monopoly on “change.” The 95 percent of Americans turned off by Washington are still listening to her. Why? America is still a center-right country. They are simply tired of hearing the same language from the political elite. She is seizing upon the hopes that Americans have for new political faces who speak honestly to them in a language that they can appreciate.
So what does Governor Palin do as a new politically dynamic force after a potentially bad election outcome?
Do exactly what Senator Hillary Clinton did after her failed effort to gain the Democratic presidential nomination: Get ready for another run.
Create the Sarah Palin movement. She and her family should go back to Alaska, where she can remain a politically popular governor and build on her newfound fame.
Even if the opportunity presents itself, she shouldn’t seek a Congressional seat. If Palin ran for Senate, she quickly becomes part of the establishment. She’s more effective as an outsider.
President Bill Clinton used the National Governors Association to showcase his skills and make connections. Palin can use this organization and the Republican Governors Association to her advantage. Palin should dominate the energy debate. She should travel the world, meet with foreign policy leaders and create more international relationships.
All of which would set her up for a run on the 2012 ticket.
Only Surround Palin with the Brightest People. Governor Palin should think wisely about who she appoints to positions inside of her administration. They cannot be friends or neighbors with questionable qualifications. Palin was criticized for not having policy depth. Her subordinates must be people of the highest caliber who understand how to promote her agenda while negotiating new political minefields.
Palin should surround herself with smart analysts from conservative leaning think tanks like Heritage, the American Enterprise Institute and CATO. They will give her ideas to generate new agendas for solving problems. In turn, they will energize their activist base for her.
Do Not Make Washington the Palin Center of Power. Defining yourself as an outsider means that you are only in Washington on a limited basis. When President Bush was Governor of Texas, he made Austin his center of power. He forced important people like Henry Kissinger and George Schultz to visit him at the Governor’s mansion. It will take time to create Alaska as a power center, but making important players and conservative thinkers come to Palin creates publicity and buzz about her.
Find and groom future Sarah Palins. There are honest, hardworking people serving in elected local, city and state offices right now who could serve as building blocks to a 2012 Palin ticket. This should be a recruitment effort led by Palin that could be like no other. Hillary Clinton has succeeded at creating a loyal following unmatched by Republicans. Imagine a group of new Republican candidates spreading the “Palin Change” message across America.
Use the Media Wisely. Palin should not accept Hollywood overtures for reality or talk radio shows. “Saturday Night Live” whetted Hollywood’s appetite for her ability to skyrocket ratings. Instead of letting the media use her for their benefit, she should harness the media during the moments that matter to her, using the communications skills that she has aptly sharpened. Americans will remember when Palin speaks to them and she must pick the right times to do so.
If the Republican Party in Washington is wiped out, it will have grapple with how to change and deal with the losses. House Republicans are whispering that they may potentially replace their leaders. Governor Palin should take advantage of the leadership vacuum and present the Republican Party with newfound hope.
She may be the only one who can.
Ron Bonjean is the former communications director for Speaker Dennis Hastert and Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott and Chief of Staff to Senator Jon Kyl. He is now CEO of The Bonjean Company, a public affairs firm.