How Palin Could Beat Obama Now

Lots of folks are still wondering whether Sarah Palin is going to jump into the 2012 Republican presidential campaign.

But if she really wants to make history, I have a bigger and better idea for her. First of all, let's explore her options.

If Sarah Palin ran as a Republican candidate in a crowded field, she might win. Then again, she might not. She would be a late entry. Much of the big money needed to win is already committed. She would add some excitement to the GOP race, but she might not stand out all that much.

Only one Republican is going to face off with President Barack Obama in 2012, and I can hardly count the number of contenders for that opportunity right now. She'd be a frontrunner for sure, but her Tea-Party base is already eyeing other candidates.

However, there is something Sarah Palin could do right now that would be truly radical — and, at the very least, bloody Barack Obama so badly he wouldn't have a hope of beating the Republican nominee.

What's that? Brace yourself for a crazy idea. Sarah Palin should re-register as a Democrat and announce her intention of seeking the Democratic Party nomination in 2012 over Barack Obama! Crazy? I told you it was crazy. But think about it.

How many Republicans nationwide would re-register as Democrats right along with her — temporarily — to support such a bold, unprecedented political move?

How many independents, who might not otherwise participate in primaries at all, would do the same? How many Democrats, realizing they made a profound mistake in 2008, would vote for Palin?

Yes, with Obama's popularity at an all-time low, she could even win — and rewrite American political history, redefining what the parties stand for at the same time.

Think of the money that would pour into that campaign! Sign me up for the first contribution.

In 2008, Rush Limbaugh came up with the idea of "Operation Chaos" — in which he urged Republicans to vote in the Democratic primaries for Hillary Clinton, to deny Obama an easy victory.

It almost worked. Rush's intent was not to make Hillary the beneficiary, but simply to cause enough chaos for Democrats that might lead to an open convention battle and a weakened nominee.

But this wouldn't just be "Operation Chaos 2." The idea would be for Palin to win the Democratic nomination with mostly Republican and independent votes. Personally, I believe most Americans would lose interest in the Republican contest and focus their political money, time and energy on the Palin-Obama race.

Don't tell me about all the problems involved. I know there are obstacles. The party system is rigged to a great extent. Obama controls it. There are many tricks he could play to deny Americans a real opportunity to select the nominee. There would be legal challenges. And, of course, he has lots of money with which to fight.

But a Palin challenge would also divert hundreds of millions of Obama campaign dollars that are being raised for his general election bid. Even if he wins, he loses.

I like Sarah Palin a lot. I especially like her independent spirit. She's anti-establishment all the way. That's why she and she alone could make a challenge like this work. I'll tell you right now, if Sarah Palin wants my support and my endorsement and my money, she knows what she can do.

What do you think of my crazy plan? Would you support Palin for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2012? I think it's a sure-fire recipe for saving America by making sure Obama is not even a viable option in the general election. He might be forced to run as a third-party candidate, a write-in or not at all!

Where do you think the Tea Party vote would go in the primaries? I would venture to guess that most of it would get behind Palin for the Democratic nomination.

Why do we have to wait until November 2012 to beat Obama? Somebody with the courage and enterprise of Sarah Palin should start running against him right now — for the Democratic Party nomination.

And what does she have to lose? Even if her quixotic bid failed, she would be more famous than ever — and positioned to do anything she wants inside politics or out.

To find out more about Joseph Farah and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

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