What’s next? The rise of the heartland.

By Bernie Quigley

For The Hill on 11/3/10

My New Hampshire governor, Democrat John Lynch, won a landslide victory here in a historic 4th term. He ran on a positive business model that echoed that of Virginia senator and former Virginia governor Mark Warner‘s when he was voted one of the best governors in America in a Wall Street survey. Lynch, last man standing on this creative approach, should be considered the most successful Democratic governor and a candidate for the 2012 presidential race if President Obama bows out. The Lynch/Warner business model should be the new Democratic template. But for now the Democrats’ future is MSNBC’s Chris Matthews, Rachel Maddow and Keith Olbermann at the news desk giggling at Michele Bachmann. And the future is Michelle Bachmann. And the future is the slow realization that Sarah Palin is a real part of American life and will continue to be. The question today is who will be her running mate in 2012, Mitt Romney or Texas governor Rick Perry?

The best bet for America right now is the fierce spirit of the north woods that is Sarah and Todd Palin. This free and feral spirit awakens America but it should be packaged. This could be a job for Mitt Romney. This is what he does and does better than most anyone. Palin told Neil Cavuto on Monday night that she did not vote for Romney in the 2008 primary but she apparently thought well of him. She might consider now what has happened since she appeared on the scene – partly because of her and partly because of the Tea Party and mainly because of a convergence of the two. John McCain was a great team mate for her in 2008. But Romney could be her best choice for VP in sustaining her spirit in 2012 and beyond.

The unique genius of Romney could be seen at the opening of the Winter Olympics in Utah in 2002. It was a great show featuring Robbie Robertson of Woodstock fame – The Band – and a crowd of Native American women singing chants and Indian blessings to the participants. It was a magical Ice Follies-like drama featuring the White Buffalo of Native American folk lore which ushers in the Age of Aquarius. What I found most impressive was that straight-as-a-gate Romney seemed to find the creativity in this to be empowering. It seemed to be his job and his gift to package and organize this wild spirit. America needs the heartland empowerment and awakening brought by Palin. She is Jacksonian, she is Emersonian, she is wolf spirit of the forest and daughter of Goldwater and Reagan. That power may need the containment and organization of Romney. Together they/we have a new vision of America and a workable program to sustain it.

The crusty old conservatives pay homage now to the Tea Party but they hope to hobble it and draw it back to the old ways. They are frightened by The Others and intimidated by Palin. But Romney can see the beauty in things that are not his own. That is a rare gift for anyone.

Advice for newly reelected Texas Governor Rick Perry: Sorel snow pacs and duofold underwear. Pay the extra dollar. You will need these when you visit New Hampshire.