He only plays a conservative or a Senator representing the best interests of the people of Arizona when he run for re-election every six years. If Palin had not endorced the treasonous old bird, he would not be bothering the country in the Senate today.
That WAS a punch in the gut. I don't think she will ever hold an elective office, but she can still use here amazing charisma to energize the base. The fact that she played it coy in the primary season until she dramatically "withdrew" (she never got in) and then declined to endorse anyone, was a major factor with the dud of a candidate we ended up with.
Of course, I realize this is considered blasphemy in certain quarters. The truth sometimes can be painful.