Posted on 07/22/2010 2:16:03 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
First, she plucked little known state legislator Nikki Haley from obscurity to victory in the South Carolina GOP governor's primary. Then there was a helping hand for Susanna Martinez in New Mexico gubernatorial primary, Sharron Angle in the Nevada Senate primary, and Carly Fiorina in the California US Senate primary. Now there's an endorsement for Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel. Is Sarah Palin's Political Action Committee packing the GOP with female candidates in 2010?
SarahPAC made news this month, both for its fundraising prowess and its "Mama Grizzly" advertisement, which has gone viral on the internet. She's made a series of endorsements that give her a high batting average. And it's paid off for the latest recipient of her blessing. Handel easily finished first in Tuesday's Georgia GOP primary, putting her in an Aug. 10 runoff against former Congressman Nathan Deal.
Is the former Alaska governor trying to boost women, conservatism, or is there something else afoot with her support?
I like to pride myself on writing about the rise of women in politics in the past few years. But long before I ever wrote a column, back in 2001, syndicated columnist Matt Towery published his book Powerchicks: How Women Will Dominate America with Longstreet Press. It seemed like a risky move, given how few women were in Congress, the Senate, and governor mansions at the time. But you could say it was a decade ahead of its time.
So is SarahPAC an example of a PowerChick takeover? Let's look at the entire list of endorsements first before we conclude that Mama Grizzlies are devouring the male boars of Republican politics, with Sandra Fish's article "Sarah Palin's Endorsement: Curse or Blessing?" in PoliticsDaily.com.
First, she's endorsed plenty of male candidates, like Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn, North Carolina Sen.Richard Burr, South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint, etc. But several of them are running unopposed in their primaries. She's endorsed Rand Paul in Kentucky, but he ran against another man (Trey Grayson). The same can be said for Clint Didier (Washington Senate).
In fact, she's endorsed a few male candidates against female candidates. She opted for Texas Gov. Rick Perry against Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison in the GOP Primary. And she supports Joe Miller's insurgent campaign against Alaska GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski. There's bad blood between Palin and Murkowski, but that doesn't explain why Palin donated $5,000 to Murkowski last year, as Fish noted.
Maybe it is a conservative thing, given that Perry and Miller are the more conservative candidates. If that's the case, then why did she endorse the more moderate candidate in the Arizona Senate race (John McCain vs. J. D. Hayworth), Iowa governor (Terry Branstad vs. Bob Vander Plaats), and send a donation to South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham?
Let's see…backing an Iowa Republican who is more likely to win than govern conservatively, splitting donations between well-known moderates and relatively obscure conservatives (each would "owe" her), making picks in tight races where the slightest endorsement could tip the scales (Haley, Handel, Fiorinia, Angle)…it sounds like a 2012 or 2016 Presidential campaign strategy.
Put it this way...Tina Fey might look like a dummy...but Sarah isn’t
“Is Sarah Palin’s Political Action Committee packing the GOP with female candidates in 2010?”
Does the left have a problem with a female power base? Because, really, we could exclude them all...the guys have done so well running the GOP, it would be a shame to disrupt such a brilliant group of strategists...
Better than the “men” we have, like McConnell and Graham (among other shining examples).
Well, it seems the GOP “guys” can’t get the job done, so we need SOMEONE to step up to the plate.
If this is Sarah's answer to "the good ol' boys'" network, so be it.
If they’re conservative, I could care less if they’re male or female, white, black, brown, yellow, red, or green with pink polka-dots.
Just as long as they are conservative. Oh yeah, and no LGBTCs either.
It seems fairly clear to me at this point that she is trying to build a governing majority, which makes me think she will run for president.
And as far as powerchics go, please, let the GOP be filled to the brim with them, no Lindsay Graham doesn’t count, because the GOP men are pathetic losers.
Sounds like a cartoon...
College professor's ain't what they used to be.
Take the one now occupying the Oval Office.....
I keep hoping Sarah notices Jackie Walorski to help rid us of Joe Donnelly
http://www.standwithjackie.com/
LGBTCs
I’m almost afraid to ask...what is the C for?
>> Take the one now occupying the Oval Office.....
Yeah. PLEASE take him! Far, far away. :-)
That would be a blessing to what we have now.
>> I’m almost afraid to ask...what is the C for?
Heh heh... that’s one I threw in myself to see if anyone was paying attention.
C is for “Confuzed”
I don't care about race or gender.
I care about character and policy.
I used to hear “If you want the bets man for the job, hire a woman.” as a male I understand that. Many co-ed colleges are over 70% women. Look at the percentage rise in law, medical and business schools of women. They ain’t messing around. It is said that men have become feminized. I don’t know what it is but a lot of young men are still living with their parents, like to lay around and play their video games, etc. Yes, I know this is stereotyping and generalizing, but from my own personal observations there is “something wrong” as the OJ law Doctor said.
P.S. I love Sarah P
I think many on the Right have that problem, too. Newt, Mitt and Huck have all made condescending remarks towards Palin. And then there was serial party-changer and soon to be retired Snarlin’ Arlen and his remark to Michelle Bachmann (Act like a lady).
The women of the Left can’t stand it, they’ve carried the “Ms.” mantle for so many years and feel entitled. But when confronted with genuine articles (Palin, Bachman, Brewer, etc.) they are cringing.
Well, she endorsed Juan "Lettuce" McShame for Senate, so I'm going to say yes! (No insult intended to females)
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