Sending surrogates out to counter Sarah’s popularity will just give Sarah more grist for the mill. Think of the quips she could make about “too many players on the ice”.
Obama will just look like a contemptible wimp.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus