Continued: Grover Norquist comes to town

What to expect under President-elect Obama

Basically, higher taxes and encroachments on gun rights. On the former, Norquist said, many people have been fortunate to come of age or gone into business at a time when there haven’t been large tax increases. As for those who bought Obama’s pitch that he would lower taxes: "I think some people are in for a rude shock.’’

The next generation of Republican leaders

Norquist said the party shouldn’t commit itself too early to 2012 contenders. About two breaths later, he gave high praise to the current governor of Louisiana. "Bobby Jindal... will be president of the United States some day.’’ The governors of Texas, Florida and South Carolina also got a thumbs-up.

Sarah Palin

Norquist put the former McCain running mate in the top five of GOP up-and-comers but explicitly said she’s not "next in line.’’ He added that she’s been a target for the left because of her potential: those who attack her are essentially trying to sack the other team’s quarterback because she’s such a valuable player. As for internal criticism of her from GOP operatives, Norquist said, it’s because others are ambitious and as a former veep candidate, she "stands between everybody else and the gold ring.’’

The pundits and the GOP’s future

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