Posted on 01/23/2012 5:30:49 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Prior to the South Carolina primary, former Alaska governor and vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin, in an appearance on Sean Hannity’s television show, urged South Carolinians to vote for Newt Gingrich.
Palin said that she wanted the vetting process to continue, as the current occupant of the Oval Office had not been thoroughly vetted before the election in 2008. Did Palin’s ‘endorsement’ help put Gingrich over the top?
No doubt, outstanding debate performances coupled with Gingrich’s blistering of the media and Mitt Romney’s collapse due to missteps regarding the release of his taxes influenced the results to a great degree.
But one has to wonder whether Palin is playing the role of kingmaker in this election. She certainly still maintains a great deal of political capital.
It appears evident that she is not a Romney supporter. She chided him for withholding the release of his taxes. She has challenged his job creation record. And she said that scrutiny of his tenure at Bain Capital is fair game because Barack Obama will certainly bring it up should Romney become the nominee.
At the same time, Palin said that last week’s ABC News interview with Gingrich’s ex-wife Marianne would actually serve to help him.
In South Carolina, that was apparently the case. Gingrich won big among women, evangelical Christians, independents and democrats. These groups were expected to run from him like the plague (especially women, in light of what was supposed to be a very damaging interview with Marianne.)
Could Palin be a factor in Florida and beyond?
Polls show Gingrich leading Romney in Florida heading into that state’s primary on January 31st.
To be sure, it won’t be a cakewalk for Gingrich. Romney has a huge machine set up there.
However, if Romney continues to collapse nationally as Gallup trends show him doing, and Gingrich continues to give stellar performances in the debates, the entire dynamic of the race could change.
And should Sarah Palin continue to talk up Gingrich, the establishment GOP’s desire to hand Romney the nomination on a silver platter may run into a serious roadblock.
Of course she did... Her and Todd did it...
Made many open to the emotional outburst at John King..
Any that say she didnt are delusional..
Still many forget Nov. 2010... the TPCaucus is a juggernaut..
Of course she did... Her and Todd did it...
Made many open to the emotional outburst at John King..
Any that say she didnt are delusional..
Still many forget Nov. 2010... the TPCaucus is a juggernaut..
Did Palin Put Gingrich Over The Top? NO.
Gingrich’s performance in the debates put him over the top.
Yes, she did.
The question is whether she meant to help Newt get nominated or whether she just, as she said, thought it was worthwhile to “keep the process going.”
I think a lot of SC voters only heard the part where she said “I would vote for Newt.” Or if they did hear the part about “to keep the process going,” that could have been a rationale for them, too.
If this was just about putting the brakes on Romney, not about actually getting Newt nominated, we are headed for a brokered convention. Newt’s campaign was not attracting the kind of donations that demonstrated grassroots love, as opposed to pragmatism, in the days leading up to the SC vote.
Yep. Todd really put him over the top.
As much as I love Sarah, I think it was Romney that put Gingrich over the top. lol
Sarah is brilliant. She is actually holding that endorsement for that one moment when she will push Newt over the top.
Wait for it.
I saw she did not. Todd did not. And I’m certainly not delusional. And I’m certainly not afraid of you and your spittoon-level accusation.
[ I saw she did not. Todd did not. And I’m certainly not delusional. And I’m certainly not afraid of you and your spittoon-level accusation.]
You obviously know nothing of the Tea Party..
Spit!...
Without a doubt. She should be VP.
Absolutely Sarah put Newt over the top. The order of events that got the steamroller going...1] Newt in talks with Todd Palin, Todd endorses Newt 2] Newt Monday debate “juan” 3] Sarah says South Carolinians should vote Newt 4] Gov Perry withdraws and endorses Newt 5] Newt thursday debate “john king”.
Sarah’s reference to Romney: “I don’t think we want a candidate who flip flops like a halibut on the deck before it is clubbed.”
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