Sarah Palin waves to supporters after she endorses S.C. gubernatorial candidate Nikki Haley. Palin's stamp of approval becoming a serious factor in GOP primaries
Posted on 07/23/2010 12:31:49 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Slowly but surely, and admittedly without much competition, Sarah Palin is emerging as the most serious and effective player in the Republican Party.
To Palin's proponents that may inspire a "Well, duh?" response.
To the great mass of Americans who, if polls are to be believed, remain doubtful with regard to the former mayor of Wasilla, however, the response will be more along the lines of: "Serously?"
I understand that dubiousness. I really do.
I covered Palin's bumbling attempt at a vice presidential campaign that became fodder for international parody. I covered the surreal announcement where she tried to explain that, because she was "not a quitter," she was quitting mid-term as governor of Alaska. I reviewed a Palin autobiography that should have been cross-marketed in the spirits aisle as "a fine whine."
I know that reasonable people — including a lot of Republicans — continue to dismiss her as little more than millionaire dilettante wearing expensive fishing gear.
But Palin's endorsements in Republican primaries — her most significant political initiative since resigning her post in Alaska last year — have been more adventurous and more successful than her critics (and some of her allies) choose to imagine.
Palin's picks are eclectic, some Tea Partisans and neo-libertarians (think Kentucky Senate candidate Rand Paul), some relatively mainstream conservatives (think California Senate candidate Carly Fiorina) running against Tea Party allies. Some have been predictable frontrunners, but others are back-of-the-pack outsiders. What has been most distinctive about her endorsements is a penchant for advancing the prospects of conservative women whose candidacies are changing the "good-old-boy" face of the party, particularly in the South.
Much has been made of the Alaskan's early and steady backing of South Carolina gubernatorial candidate Nikki Haley, who faced opposition from significant elements within the party establishment and (as the state's June primary approached) a steady stream of personal abuse from old-school Republicans. Haley was always a solid contender. But even after she took her hits she coasted to easy primary and runoff wins with Palin at her side.
On Tuesday, in an even bigger test, she had an even bigger impact.
Palin's late-in-the-game endorsement of former Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel shook up that state's crowded GOP primary for governor. Here is evidence of Palin Power: In early July polling, Handel was trailing far behind the race's frontrunner, state Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine, and was struggling for second-place position with another runner, former Congressman Nathan Deal.
When the votes were counted Tuesday night, however, Handel was a big winner — finishing in first when a substantial lead over Deal, who she is expected to face in an August 10 runoff. The frontrunner of two weeks ago, Oxendine, was training far behind.
What made the difference for Handel?
She shot up in the polls after Palin released a pro-Handel statement that read: "Though considered an underdog candidate (more power to her!), this pro-life, pro-Constitutionalist with a can-do attitude and a record of fighting for ethics in government is ready to serve in the Governor's Office."
In fact, Handel was more moderate than some of the other candidates, but the approval of the Alaskan was enough to sway Georgia Republicans like Carolyn Draper, a 67-year-old retiree who told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "It influences me. I am a very conservative person and I have very conservative values, and I think Sarah Palin does, too."
Draper is not alone.
"The Palin endorsement definitely helped," Brad Coker, managing director of Mason-Dixon Polling & Research, which conducted the surveys on the race for Georgia newspapers, told the Journal-Constitution.
Handel's first-place finish positions her as the frontrunner in the Republican runoff fight (which is required when no candidate secures more than 50 percent in the first round), as Haley did in South Carolina. And if she wins it will be as a Palin protégé — with a website that urges voters to "Join Sarah and Support Karen" and television ads that reprise Palin's lipstick lingo from the 2008 Republican National Convention.
Are we seeing a pattern here? Tuesday's voting in Georgia was telling. There's not much question that Handel has Palin to thank for at least some of her success; the last Mason-Dixon poll found that 30 percent of Republicans said they were more likely to back Handel because of the Palin endorsement. Only 2 percent suggested they were less likely to back Palin's pick.
This is a pattern that extends beyond Georgia, and it has serious political observers, like Merle Black, the political science professor at Emory University and historian of Southern politics, suggesting that Palin's stamp of approval really is becoming a serious factor in GOP primaries.
"Palin has a very intense, loyal following among Republican primary voters," argues Black.
What is perhaps most significant about Palin is that she is not taking the easy route when it comes to endorsements. She is wading into contests where the supposedly "smart" move would be to stay clear. That's a mark either of a fool or a bold political player.
To be sure, there have been missteps. One of Palin's picks, Idaho Congressional contender Vaughn Ward, melted down spectacularly after he got caught plagiarizing speeches by Barack Obama (kind of a deal-breaker with a lot of Republicans) and imagining that Puerto Rico was a foreign country. And her endorsed Congressional candidates in special elections against Democrats have been notably unsuccessful: New York Conservative Doug Hoffman in a traditionally Republican seat last fall and Republican Tim Burns lost a Pennsylvania race where GOP aides thought they would be competitive.
Palin has also stirred some resentment by backing establishment candidates such as former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, whose comeback bid received a boost from the Alaskan prior to a June primary in which he beat more rigidly conservative contenders. The same thing happened in California, where her endorsement of millionaire Republican US Senate candidate Fiorina upset Tea Party activists who were backing a more consistent conservative, state Sen. Chuck DeVore.
But when the votes were counted, Palin's candidate had won the biggest primary in the biggest state. And, as Karl Rove says, it was Palin who "helped give conservative credentials to Fiorina"
What this adds up to is significant. If Branstad wins in Iowa, Palin will have a friendly governor in the first caucus state of the 2012 Republican presidential race. And if Fiorina wins, she will have an important ally in the state that will send the largest delegation to the party's convention.
If she brings a solid base out of the South — with help from the likes of Haley in South Carolina and Handel in Georgia — it will be a lot harder to write Palin off.
After Palin's political crack-up in 2008, and as someone who has reported on her ethically challenged tenure as Alaska's governor, I was (like many Republicans) skeptical about her ability to master the intricacies of Republican primary politics on the national level — an essential first step in a presidential bid. But Handel's finish on Tuesday, in combination with the other results she has contributed to, argue for a rethink.
The safer bet until recently was that Palin would opt out of the 2012 race, in order to keep making money and, perhaps, to position herself for a future run. But, like Ronald Reagan heading into the 1976 and 1980 Republican presidential primaries, she is beginning to establish a network of connections — and evidence of political savvy and influence — that make it harder and harder to dismiss her as a real prospect.
Juxtaposed against the gang-that-couldn't-shoot-straight nature of the rest of the Republican 2012 pack, Palin is emerging as her party's most potent prospect. A favorable result from Georgia will merely add to the argument that it is time to accept that Palin is becoming the definitional player in the GOP — much as another conservative outrider, and former governor, named Reagan was in the late 1970s.
-- John Nichols writes about politics for The Nation magazine as its Washington correspondent. He is a contributing writer for The Progressive and In These Times and the associate editor of the Capital Times, the daily newspaper in Madison, Wisconsin.
This guy has journolist myopia.
He doesn’t get it - he only gets his liberal world view.
I am glad she endorsed Kelly Ayotte for Senate in NH. Imagine Paul Hodes as a Senator....
This observation from Reuters ...
http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-50359720100723
Consider the case of Karen Handel. She is among Republicans running for the party’s nomination to become the next governor of the state of Georgia.
Palin, the former Alaska governor who was the Republican vice presidential nominee in 2008, endorsed Handel with a Facebook posting. Then she recorded a “robo-call” telephone message for her that was called out to Georgia voters.
Palin never set foot in Georgia. But the effort she made catapulted Handel, who had been trailing opponent Nathan Deal before the July 12 endorsement. Handel won the most votes in Tuesday’s election and faces Deal in an Aug. 10 runoff.
Palin’s endorsement of Nikki Haley in South Carolina’s Republican primary for governor had a similar outcome. Haley overcame charges of marital infidelity to win the nomination.
“Governor Palin’s decision to get involved — and stay involved - in the race here was a huge boon to our campaign,” said Haley spokesman Rob Godfrey.
These political favors doled out by Palin may mean that she will come calling for their support one of these days.
“She’s certainly picking up some IOUs,” said Merle Black, a political science professor at Emory University in Atlanta.
She offers slashing opinions on Fox News Channel, Twitter and Facebook, and is following up last year’s best-selling memoir with a second book, this one about “faith, family and patriotism.” Palin is making a fortune and is much in demand as a speaker and ally to candidates, often from the conservative Tea Party movement that backs small government and low taxes.
A polarizing figure in American politics, Palin is beloved by conservatives as a fighter willing to stand up to President Barack Obama and the Democrats.
Standard NPR scumbaggery at its worst. "What Liberal bias?"
This observation from Reuters ...
http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-50359720100723
EXCERPT:
Consider the case of Karen Handel. She is among Republicans running for the party’s nomination to become the next governor of the state of Georgia.
Palin, the former Alaska governor who was the Republican vice presidential nominee in 2008, endorsed Handel with a Facebook posting. Then she recorded a “robo-call” telephone message for her that was called out to Georgia voters.
Palin never set foot in Georgia. But the effort she made catapulted Handel, who had been trailing opponent Nathan Deal before the July 12 endorsement. Handel won the most votes in Tuesday’s election and faces Deal in an Aug. 10 runoff.
Palin’s endorsement of Nikki Haley in South Carolina’s Republican primary for governor had a similar outcome. Haley overcame charges of marital infidelity to win the nomination.
“Governor Palin’s decision to get involved — and stay involved - in the race here was a huge boon to our campaign,” said Haley spokesman Rob Godfrey.
These political favors doled out by Palin may mean that she will come calling for their support one of these days.
“She’s certainly picking up some IOUs,” said Merle Black, a political science professor at Emory University in Atlanta.
She offers slashing opinions on Fox News Channel, Twitter and Facebook, and is following up last year’s best-selling memoir with a second book, this one about “faith, family and patriotism.” Palin is making a fortune and is much in demand as a speaker and ally to candidates, often from the conservative Tea Party movement that backs small government and low taxes.
A polarizing figure in American politics, Palin is beloved by conservatives as a fighter willing to stand up to President Barack Obama and the Democrats.
Palin is a firebrand - best suited as head of the RNC, imo.
The Left has successfully demonized her to the point where she would be destroyed on a daily basis without Obama even having to open his mouth. The independents who are now in the Republican court would flock back to Obama if she is on the ticket against him.
This is not my wish - but it is reality.
We ought to REFUDIATE the lies that come from the lamestream ( another dictionary word ) media.
I wonder if Sarah Palin knows that Handel supports abortion rights? I’m guessing she doesn’t.
But she is the only one that would go in and clean house. The others would just be absorbed into the Washington cess pool.
Too many of our politicians are too willing to allow their votes to be bought, who are looking to join the elite ruling class and will do all in their power to be in the ruling class. Which is why we see over and over backstabbing when we need republicans to stand up.
Washington corrupts - look for someone who has fought that corruption in their own past.
Hmmmmm abortion rights -or- a democrat working for the gates of HELL?.....
Hard choice.. (((NOT))).. /snide
When Ronald Reagan began his quest for the presidency in the mid-1970's, long before conservative talk radio, the internet (and FR) or Fox News existed, he was constantly characterized by the left (via their media water-carriers) as a 'washed-up B movie actor reading a script someone else wrote for him'. However, Reagan prevailed despite the left's attempts to portray him as a doddering old fool. Again, with no help from the 'alternative (conservative) media we have today - because it didn't exist. As president, the leftmedia constantly characterized Reagan as 'dangerous' (he was going to start WWIII) and that the 'smart guys behind the scenes' were making all the decisions and that Reagan was little more than a prop. He proved them all wrong and had a very successful two-term presidency, one that Obama has said he wants to emulate, only going to the political left instead of the right. I hope he fails.
I also hope that, as it slowly dawns on liberals that Sarah Palin is the real thing and not some political fad that can be laughed off, that 'conservatives' that hold similar views will wake up and stop trying to dismiss Palin and argue over inconsequential matters with those who support her. Palin isn't Reagan - we get that. However, this is 2010 and Sarah Palin is the best thing to come along for conservatives in many years. Look at the supposed potential contenders for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination. Mostly re-treads and wannabes. Sarah Palin is shrewdly building a strong popular and political base, while being insulted by the leftists and carped at by some on the right. Like Reagan, I believe she'll prevail. I hope those conservatives who are now trying so hard to dismiss Sarah Palin as a political force (not just a political celebrity) will have the integrity to celebrate her victory in 2012.
I saw that the original writer bought in to the liberal lies about Palin’s AK “scandals” and also the liberal “that’s the way we wrote it up” about the NY-23 district race (AGAINST a jerk liberal repubbie-backed fool who BACKED the hidden-liberal democrat who won!)
More liberal lies included about plagiarizing in that bit on her choice for ID races.
Handel (in GA) is NOT pro-abortion.
How about the former GOVERNOR OF ALASKA... ASSHOLE?
These left-wing elitist snobs think they are being real "cute" with their tiresome and childish barbs aimed at a good woman with INFINITELY more real world knowledge and leadership capability than the Socialist Kenyan Community "organizer" did before becoming "president", and TO THIS DAY.
Karen Handel is pro-choice.
See here :
http://clatl.com/freshloaf/archives/2010/06/04/karen-handel-snaps-back-at-pro-lifers/
Karen Handel snaps back at pro-lifers
GOP gubernatorial candidate Karen Handel, if you haven’t already heard, is embroiled in a dust-up with Georgia Right to Life, the anti-abortion group that earlier this year pushed a heinous piece of state legislation that would have criminalized “coerced abortions,” whatever those are.
Jim Galloway outlined the brouhaha in detail, but here’s a snapshot: Dan Becker, GRTL’s executive director, said Handel’s take on abortion — she thinks women whose pregnancies are life-threatening or the product of rape or incest should still have the option — doesn’t jibe with the group’s definition of “pro life.” Handel also opposes a ban on in-vitro fertilization, which GRTL championed last year. For these reasons, the group gave endorsements to all GOP candidates but the former secretary of state and Fulton County chairwoman.
Handel responded with a blistering press statement saying she’s dismayed and disappointed by Becker’s comments. In the process, she referenced her own efforts to become a mother and trotted out an endorsement from a former GRTL honcho. She also wondered whether her opponents, who passed GRTL’s muster by affirming that life begins at conception and ends at natural death, are in favor of the death penalty, which she supports.
The snub by GRTL, which still enjoys some political sway among the Gold Dome’s mouth breathers, might hurt Handel in some circles. But methinks this move will win her more fans than enemies, even among pro lifers. Peach Pundit’s Icarus, a Handel supporter who’s also pro-life, defended Handel yesterday with a ringing endorsement.
Like we said some months back, Handel’s going to be the candidate who wins over the more moderate Republicans. You know, the ones who aren’t supporting candidates who ask the president for his birth certificate, find themselves in nasty ethical dilemmas, or shave off their Van Dykes to appeal to voters and target illegal immigrants just to get their name in news articles. Which honestly is like, what, all the frontrunners in the GOP race?
RE: Handel (in GA) is NOT pro-abortion.
Karen Handel writes this in her own website :
http://www.karenhandel.com/site/c.dwJTKgO2JiI6G/b.5970531/k.C6FC/Issues.htm
Since my opponents and others continue to misrepresent my views on Life, I want to be abundantly clear about my core beliefs. I am staunchly and unequivocally pro-life. I believe in the sanctity and inherent dignity of human life, and I will be a pro-life governor who will work tirelessly to promote a culture of life in Georgia. With recent scientific advances and others on the horizon, our society is increasingly facing new and serious moral and ethical issues. In dealing with these issues, I believe that the sanctity of human life must be the priority and fundamental premise upon which all policies are based.
I believe that each and every unborn child has inherent dignity, that every abortion is a tragedy, and that government has a role, along with the faith community, in encouraging women to choose life in even the most difficult of circumstances. And while I will not seek to prohibit abortions in the extremely rare cases of rape, incest, or where there is a real threat to the life of the mother, I will do everything in my power to encourage and promote alternatives to abortion in these tragic situations. In this respect, I strongly support the noble work of crisis-pregnancy centers across the state and those who compassionately and lovingly counsel women on a daily basis. Finally, I oppose embryonic stem cell research, which creates life solely for the purpose of destroying it. I do, however, strongly support adult stem cell research, which has produced numerous scientific achievements without terminating innocent lives in the process.
My opponents have recently recycled old attacks against me concerning Fulton County’s funding of some programs through Planned Parenthood. They are doing so without providing any context and continue to omit several key and important facts. First, let me be clear, since I am pro-life, I do not support the mission of Planned Parenthood. During my time as Chairman of Fulton County, there were federal and state pass-through grants that were awarded to Planned Parenthood for breast and cervical cancer screening, as well as a “Healthy Babies Initiative.” The grant was authorized, regulated, administered and distributed through the State of Georgia. Because of the criteria, regulations and parameters of the grant, Planned Parenthood was the only eligible vendor approved to meet the state criteria. Additionally, none of the services in any way involved abortions or abortion-related services. In fact, state and federal law prohibits the use of taxpayer funds for abortions or abortion related services and I strongly support those laws. Since grants like these are from the state I’ll eliminate them as your next Governor.
I hope that this helps to clarify my views on this issue, and I appreciate that you’ve taken the time to get additional information from me. If you have additional questions, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 770-740-0010.
Well, if it comes down to Handel or King Roy, it’s really not a hard choice, but I’d rather have someone who is Pro-Life.
No. It's a prediction about what would happen if something else happens two years in the future. After two more years of Obama revealing his ineptitude and Palin defying her detractor's predictions of doom, you just don't really know, do you?
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