THE US REPORT

(Miami, Fla.)-Chatting by phone from Miami during the Republican Governors Association conference, Roger Stone sounded just like the political warrior he is. Not one to dwell on recent losses, he’s all about the new bright guard in the Grand Old Party. He dealt the names like aces from a deck—“Barbour, Crist, Jindal, Palin…[h]ot properties.” And then he one-lined assessments. “If Crist is successful as governor, he’ll be a viable candidate for president. Barbour has party mechanics skills. Jindal speaks for himself. Palin is the star.”

He hit on something Palin has that so far other candidates haven’t demonstrated. “If you announced she’s in downtown Miami, there’d be a big crowd.” And pinpointing the Palin appeal, he added, “You cannot learn charisma—you either have it or you don’t.” She definitely has it.

Asked about media attention to Palin, Stone suggested she exercise caution. He recounted something Nixon brought up about Jean Kirkpatrick—“She was viewed as a hot political prospect.” Stone says Nixon once asked, “Why is she overexposing herself?”

A hot topic right now is Michael Steele, in the running for chair of the Republican National Committee. There’s already a Draft Michael Steele website. Thursday night on Hannity and Colmes, Steele ably debated Alan Colmes. Sean Hannity asked Steele, “You want the gig?”

Steele replied, “I want the gig. I’m ready to lead this party.” Asked if he liked Steele, Stone said, “Yes.” Stone says the RNC needs to focus on rebuilding the grassroots of the party, a sentiment many of us share. Hannity told Steele, “I’m supporting your candidacy.” Steele definitely has an edge; his brand is strong and recognizable. He's quick on his feet with media, an absolute necessity in politics.

Stone was philosophical about Sen. John McCain’s loss, but he says President-Elect Barack Obama will definitely be challenged. “Soros and the MoveOn crowd are going to come calling,” Stone said. “Barack Obama will be the greatest single force in rebuilding the Republican Party.” Noting that Rahm Emanuel is an “exceedingly partisan figure,” Stone said, “If Obama gives higher taxes and trade restrictions as Hoover did, we will get The Obama Depression.”

Stone sounded very upbeat about the governors’ meeting—I could sense a change in tone since the interview I did with him prior to the election. He sounded very energized and as always, extremely articulate and focused. Stone is one of those rare individuals whose brain is perfectly aligned with his tongue—he says something as he thinks it. He said Palin does have a huge amount of rebuilding to do after the “liberal mugging” Democrats and media levied. She needs to not overexpose herself, and he pointed out that right now, the Republican mission should be “about the future, not the past.”