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Obama Wars Title: Palin's backing pays off for pals Palin's backing pays off for pals Some of Sarah Palin’s riskiest endorsements scored major victories Tuesday for the former Alaska governor, showing off her power in Republican primaries.
Palin had four primary endorsements in play – Carly Fiorina, Nikki Haley, Terry Branstad and Cecile Bledsoe – and three won or moved on to a runoff.
Palin served different roles for each candidate – sometimes spotlighting conservatives not well known to the national scene while at others validating conservative credentials to an unsure grassroots and even stepping in to deflect nasty attacks.
Perhaps Palin’s most powerful demonstration came in South Carolina, where her endorsement propelled a major swing in the polls for Haley’s primary campaign for governor and sustained the state representative through accusations of two separate affairs.
"Her decision to get - and stay - involved in the race here in South Carolina was a huge boon to our campaign, because it caused a lot of South Carolinians to take a second look at a rising in the polls but once-little known state legislator who was fighting to give them back their government,” Haley spokesman Tim Pearson said of Palin.
Palin was quick to defend Haley from blogger Will Folks, who claimed to have had an “inappropriate physical relationship” with Haley, writing on her Facebook page that Folks was trying to “make things up.” Palin recorded a robocall for Haley in the closing days, urging South Carolinians to ignore the “made-up nonsense.”
For Fiorina, Palin bucked some of her own supporters in choosing the former Hewlett Packard chief executive over tea party favorite Chuck DeVore in the California Senate race.
After announcing her support for Fiorina, the former governor’s Facebook page was overrun by negative comments trashing Palin’s support of the more moderate candidate with strong establishment ties.
But Palin rebuffed her conservative critics by touting Fiorina’s pro-life credentials as well as her 100 percent NRA rating – thus helping build the conservative grassroots narrative the multimillionaire former businesswoman utilized to dispatch both DeVore and former Rep. Tom Campbell.
“Governor Palin’s endorsement was integral to the success of our campaign,” Fiorina spokeswoman Julie Soderlund told POLITICO. “She provides the ‘good housekeeping seal of approval’ for conservative, outsider candidates. After earning her endorsement we saw an immediate spike in support for Carly amongst conservatives, who represent the vast majority of Republican primary voters.”
Palin also surprised some conservatives with her endorsement of Terry Branstad in the Iowa gubernatorial race over Bob Vander Plaats, a top aide to Mike Huckabee’s 2008 operation in the state and a grassroots favorite.
As with Fiorina, Palin was able to successfully reassure many of her troubled fans that Branstad was indeed a strong conservative amidst protests on Facebook.
Palin frequently uses the Susan B. Anthony List as barometer of suitable conservative candidates, and, as with Fiorina, the group’s support of Bledsoe led Palin to the Arkansas House candidate.
Palin labeled Bledsoe one of the “mama grizzlies” the former governor contends are leading a new feminist movement, and the Arkansas state senator turned a distant second place showing a month ago into what looked like a narrow defeat at the hands of Rogers Mayor Steve Womack Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest Nikki HIlton is probably going to be elected because most of the expat Notherners who moved there are horny old men...a natural constituency for anything that looks good in a skirt... #67. To: war (#48) Keep hiding behind the bozo, bozo. (laughing) You've always been a world class pussy. Badeye posted on 2010-01-14 16:12:48 ET Reply Trace #2. To: All (#0) Liberal talking point memo's for the past year have been based on two basic premises. 1. The Tea Party was a bunch of ignorant racists that wouldn't matter. 2. Sarah Palin wasn't able to generate any support nationally for herself, or anyone she endorsed...because she was too stupid, to shallow, etc etc etc. Yet every time an election is held, general or primary, these two interwined political entities keep WINNING. Not 100% of the races. But a clear majority. And they are influencing this mid term nationally beyond any reasonable doubt. Whats become very very clear is this. Attacking the intelligence of either is counter productive. The Left has savaged both Palin and the TP in ways that were simply inconceivable 15 years ago. Its not working, in fact its become clear its working AGAINST the Leftwingers. The question is will they learn from this latest example that its not working? Or will they continue through the November election cycle? We'll see. For approximately 72K, BP Oil bought Owe-bama. And as President, he let them Spill, Baby, Spill! Its documented. #3. To: Badeye (#2) The fact is, The Tea Party got its ass kicked yesterday and Palin's support did nothing. But keep posting to yourself, Boofer. #67. To: war (#48) Keep hiding behind the bozo, bozo. (laughing) You've always been a world class pussy. Badeye posted on 2010-01-14 16:12:48 ET Reply Trace #4. To: war (#3) The fact is, The Tea Party got its ass kicked yesterday and Palin's support did nothing. He must be getting dizzy by now. Making the world safe for United Fruit. #5. To: mininggold (#4) Demonstrating denial isn't just a river for you two clowns. (laughing) For approximately 72K, BP Oil bought Owe-bama. And as President, he let them Spill, Baby, Spill! Its documented. #6. To: Badeye (#5) Didn't we both just say that it was for you too? #67. To: war (#48) Keep hiding behind the bozo, bozo. (laughing) You've always been a world class pussy. Badeye posted on 2010-01-14 16:12:48 ET Reply Trace #7. To: Badeye (#5) Demonstrating denial isn't just a river for you two clowns. All I saw in Cal for the pubs was more neocons winning primaries. Hardly an "oh happy day" moment. It's old Gov Moonbeam back again, I wonder how Linda is holding up. Making the world safe for United Fruit. #8. To: Badeye (#0) Carly Fiorina, Nikki Haley, Terry Branstad and Cecile Bledsoe – and three won or moved on to a runoff. Fiorina, Haley and Branstad were well ahead in the polls when she endorsed them. Bledsoe lost. As long as she keeps endorsing candidates who are already way ahead in the polls, she should do well. And of course it's worth noting that Branstad and Fiorina beat Tea Party candidates. Being a Republican means you get to choose your own reality. #9. To: go65 (#8) Haley in particular benefitted after the smear jobs having Palin on her side. Wasn't too long ago the Left was asserting Palin would 'harm' candidates via her endorsement. As we keep seeing, thats not the case at all. Yes, GO65, its true. Not EVERY TP endorsed candidate won. I'll alert the media, they can run that right after 'sun rises in east' and 'dog bites man'....(chuckle) For approximately 72K, BP Oil bought Owe-bama. And as President, he let them Spill, Baby, Spill! Its documented. Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest |
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