She got burned in the last two elections because certain political strategist pushed issues and tactics that alienated the majority of Oklahoma voters and consequently caused the loss of seats by the Republicans.
I imagine she was at that dinner because of her volunteer work for the party. She has never pretended to not be active in politics and anyone who followed the 2000 election or the 2004 election would probably remember her comments.
I think she sincerely likes Guiliani.
That's quite debatable.
"I imagine she was at that dinner because of her volunteer work for the party."
PKM has posted on another site that she is officially working with the Rudy campaign now. It’s not just with the party, she’s said so herself. You ought to know Miss Marple since you too post there. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that.) ;^)
“I think she sincerely likes Guiliani.”
That’s an understatement. She’s like those little girls who were swooning for Sanjaya on American Idol. I really worry for her when Rudy comes crashing down—like Dean Howard did.
I've always thought that the "you are a paid operative" was somewhat overwrought, because I can't imagine working either for free OR for money for a candidate unless I liked the candidate and would already be saying good things about them.
So I have no doubt she really like Rudy, whether she is a volunteer specifically for him or not.
I think the only time "official" connection is important is that if you are a person whose opinion was respected AS OPINION, your attacks on other candidates might have less weight with others if they know your job requires you to attack the others.