Sarah Palin 'Dissing' Establishment Conservatives

When the word was out that Sarah Palin would not be attending CPAC, but would be going to the Southern Republican Leadership Conference.  Palin supporters defended the action as 'standing up for her beliefs'.  Whether it is a personal beef with ACU Chairman David Keene, the fact that the John Birch Society is also a sponsor, or beliefs, still remain unclear.Several of the popular Palin blogs including texas4palin, conservatives4palin, and palintwibe are backing their champion against the old guard conservatives.

As she did in Alaska, Palin is shaking up the extablishment, granted some of the practices used in CPAC, having organizations that sponsor provide presenters, may not be the best practice.  But this is a bad practice, piting the conservative old guard against the newly engaged 'TeaParty' conservatives.  Palin's lack of support with the old guard can be summed up in the National Journal Political Insiders Poll, with Romney coming out with 29% and Palin getting trounced with only 3%.

Palin's frustration with the old guard keep be the real reason she will not be attending CPAC, which is one of the most important events of the year for the old guard.  But, as detailed here in previous entries, the 'new guard' is still very unfocused and not really providing any movement inertia.

As a member of old style conservatives who is also a Palinista, I say she better mend this riff quickly.  The conservatives being energized to action by the Obama administration, are yet to prove themselves in long-term staying power, and Palin has yet to step up to the plate, and start a coordinated movement to give them a place at the table.

I hope she does, Sarah could be the new Reagan is she is inclusive, but she cannot possibly hope to win if she divides conservatives, considering the growing schism between the GOP and conservatives, further fracturing this base could be damaging beyond belief.