One should not declare the political death of Sarah Palin, the Fix has news that somebody wants her help:
Illinois Rep. Mark Kirk penned a memo to Republican poobah Fred Malek hoping to secure an endorsement from former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin for his Senate candidacy, according to a copy of the memo obtained by the Fix.
After noting that Palin will be in Chicago later this month to appear on “Oprah”, Kirk writes that “the Chicago media will focus on one key issue: Does Gov[ernor] Palin oppose Congressman Mark Kirk’s bid to take the Obama Senate seat for the Republicans?”
Kirk goes on to write that he is hoping for something “quick and decisive” from Palin about the race, perhaps to the effect of: “Voters in Illinois have a key opportunity to take Barack Obama’s Senate seat. Congressman Kirk is the lead candidate to do that.”
Malek confirmed the authenticity of the memo in an e-mail exchange with the Fix.
Kirk’s memo is tangible evidence of the power of Palin’s endorsement in a Republican primary. Kirk, a moderate by voting record in the House, is clearly very concerned about the negative impact a Palin endorsement of one of his primary opponents could have on his chances at being the party’s nominee for the seat being vacated by appointed Sen. Roland Burris (D).
It should be noted that Kirk wants Palin’s endorsement the December before the election. What this suggests is that Palin is becoming a bit of a primary kingmaker. A Palin endorsement for anti-Kirk candidate could consolidate opposition behind a single candidate. An endorsement of Kirk could help him build an insurmountable lead.
Kirk, however doesn’t want Palin around at General Election time. I think the paradigm we see developing with Palin at this point is that she can help close the deal in a primary and can be great in certain Southern States, and other high concentration GOP areas in a special election, and of course she’s great for fundraising.
This gives Palin the opportunity to have a nice power role in the GOP for years to come, but doesn’t seem to suggest a Presidential campaign.
November 4th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
I really don’t see how Palin becomes President. I can draw up possible scenarios (however unlikely) for Romney, Huck, Pawlenty, etc.
But I think Palin’s road is a dead end.
November 4th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
Looks like white house is already started 20110 campaign! http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/11/04/axelrod-white-house-looks-energize-independents-youth-voters/#discussion-form
November 4th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
“But I think Palin’s road is a dead end.”
Barring a successful image overhaul. But Adam makes a good point about Palin’s potential to influence primaries. I think she will be wooed more for that, than general elections.
November 4th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
Governor Palin can help pick up the seat in Illinois and spur the GOP takeover of the Senate in 2010. She will be the biggest candidate in demand.
November 4th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
“She will be the biggest candidate in demand.”
In demand for what? For the select places where there are multiple conservatives running where independents and Democrats won’t have a say?
November 4th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Pruce,
I will be SHOCKED if Kirk is asking for Palin’s public support in Oct. of 2010.
November 4th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Sorry JA but Palin helping in Illinois? I just don’t see it.
November 4th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
Mark Kirk: How can I get Sarah Palin to like me?
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1109/29157.html
November 4th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
“I think the paradigm we see developing with Palin at this point…”
While I agree in principle, one instance does not a paradigm make.
If Sarah endorses Kirk who is a moderate over an opponent of his that is more conservative, what does that do for Palin’s reputation?
November 4th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
you know, thats an interesting question – much of her support is because, thus far, she has supported hard-line principles over anything else.
If she breaks that, I think we really have to ask A) will her supporters follow her, and B) will they turn on her?
November 4th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee won’t get the nominee in 2012. They are done! They both are not conservative. I don’t know what is wrong with these liberal or modern Republicans. They are hurting the Republican Party. These Rinos don’t believe in the U.S. Constitution. I am pleased that the state of Virginia is turning red. The Republican (Conservatives) will win again in 2010 and take control both US House and the Senate. Mrs. Pelosi won’t be the Speaker of the House in 2011.
November 4th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
“Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee won’t get the nominee in 2012. They are done! They both are not conservative.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJDhS4oUm0M&feature=fvw
November 4th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Anonymous, you are the Only RINO here, go away and read a book, it would do you good.
November 4th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
WSU – Great Video – Imagine Reagan bashing corporations, demagoging social security and school lunch cuts, pushing special privilages for unions, why he sounds just like Tom Daschle…Why that flip flopping unpricipled spineless Jellyfish…he will never get the Republican nominee….
November 4th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
This is smart of Kirk. He knows he has to shore up his support amongst the party’s right-wing, and maybe Palin can help energize the base in Southern Illinois. Also, the timing is good. It helps clear the field in the primary, but is early enough in the year so that Illinois moderates and indepedents don’t automatically link Kirk to Palin.
Winning this seat would be great. Not even Robert Gibbs or the MSM could say that losing his own Senate seat in his home state isn’t a repudiation of Obama.
November 4th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
Chief cook and bottle washer?
November 4th, 2009 at 7:51 pm
#11:
I would not be so categorical in dismissing Romney and Huckabee. I am a supporter of neither but both of these gentlemen have a following that I cannot dispute.
Having said that I have always believed that Palin will be a major player as long as she maintains her sway over the “base” of the GOP and broadens her base among independent conservatives and “tea party types”.
There is nobody at present who is guaranteed the 2012 GOP nomination. In sporting terms “it is still up for grabs” and will probably stay that way to at least 2011 when things will begin to sort themselves out.
November 4th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
Let me ask all of you a question?
Can anyone tell me why Palin is touted by conservatives more than Michelle Bachman. Michelle is:
equally pretty
much more knowledgeable on the issues
Much more eloquent
will have more experience in goverment (not counting a small town mayorship)
She is equally conservative
She is not afraid of interviews, and does very well, unlike Sarah…..
with all of this in mind, why Sarah and not Michelle?
November 4th, 2009 at 7:58 pm
why Sarah and not Michelle?
- Because Sarah was, when she was picked, a Governor – a position that would generally lend itself well to candidates for national office.
Once she was picked, well, then Sarah was just there first.
November 4th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
I would think quitting would have canceled out that advantage….let’s hear some more ideas.
November 4th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
“Nice power role” for Palin but not POTUS nominee??!!??
Pleeaaeeeze!
As I said on the other thread, if Romney, Huckabee, Pawlenty and Palin scheduled appearances on separate days at say, Bush Stadium in St. Louis, WHICH ONE WOULD DRAW A FULL CAPACITY CROWD?
Need I say more.
Palin/Rubio ’12
November 4th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
– or Palin/Bachmann ’12
November 4th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
A rock star would draw more, even paying 100 bucks per seat….so should we elect them instead?
November 4th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
ConservativeRepublican, nice try, but no cigar!
The point IS Palin is a once in a generation leader, a Reagan/Thatcher rolled into one!
She’s got the charisma, smarts, background story — she’s got it all and barring some unforseen circumstance WILL be the GOP nominee.
November 4th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
#18:
I will never knock Michelle Bachmann. She is a great conservative. Quite simply she is not touted as much as Sarah is because of the impression that she is not running for POTUS in 2012.
And to boot Sarah is more hated than she is. Michelle will always be #2 in that category behind Sarah Palin.
Michelle does excellent work but there is only one Sarah Palin.
November 4th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
What makes you believe Palin is smart? I haven’t heard many people make that claim! How many years did it take her to get through the 6 colleges?
November 4th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
ConservativeRepublican:–
Or ask yourself this, WHICH candidate would the Dems and MSM prefer NOT be the GOP POTUS nominee — who they are fighting day-in-day-out? Answer: Palin
Or, which candidate would the Dems and MSM prefer for GOP POTUS nominee? Answer: Huckabee
That’s all that has to be said.
November 4th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
What makes me think Palin is smart?
(not worth responding to you on this)
November 4th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
What is so significant about her background story?
being a point guard?
runnerup beauty queen?
running huge deficit as mayor
quitting as governor?
siding with hubbies views on seccession?
traveling 5 thousand miles after water breaks to deliver premature baby?
I don’t get the background thing..help me out!
November 4th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
ConservativeRepublican:–
again your inquiries reveal it’s a waste of effort to respond to your points
November 4th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
Seriously, on the smart issue…how do you draw that conclusion….it’s not at all obvious JACK.
November 4th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
These predictions are unbelievably infantile. There is still 2 more years to go until official campaigning begins for the nominee. Anyone who thinks that Sarah Palin has no chance with 2 years until campaigning begins should not be following politics. When her book comes out in 2 weeks and she’s on Oprah and the book tour and she rolls with the interviews and then helps with 2010 elections, she could very easily be unstoppable. I actually am happy with where she is right now in the standings. I was a Giuliani guy since the late 90′s and I was hoping and waiting for him to run. When it became evident that he was going to, he held onto first place in the polls for the longest time and look what it did for him…so I am more than happy to wait and let the American people be reintroduced to Sarah Palin…on her terms.
November 4th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Jack, I know it’s difficult, but try responding….background/smart?
November 4th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Conservativerepublican, do you know about ACES? Need I say more about smarts.
November 4th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
Sorry, I see no correlation, but nice try.
November 4th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
Jack, I’ll leave you alone. You just come on here so confident that everybody sees Sarah as a Goddess. They don’t. Bachman is a better woman conservative than Palin imho.
November 4th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
Jack,
So how do you reconcile being hardcore Palinite and hardcore pro-gay marriage? I understand most thinking people don’t agree with there candidate about everything but this seems to be a biggie for you, as well as Mrs. Palin.
November 4th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
MWS, who says I’m hardcore pro-gay marriage, or pro-gay marriage. My view is the exact opposite.
November 4th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
ConservativeRepub, well at least you rightly see Michele Bachmann as a Goddess, which she is!
November 4th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
#32:
Palin would hardly be “unstoppable” after her book comes out and she goes on Oprah. Many Republicans still have concerns about, among other things, her grasp of the issues and her electability. As you said, it is at least a year and a half before we start getting real candidates, and 2 years before we start getting the lay of the land in 2012. A million different things could happen between now and then.
Oh, and congratulations on electing Chris Christie as New Jersey’s next Governor.
November 4th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
ConservRepublic:–
You say you see know correlation between Palin’s ACES and smarts?
November 4th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
Jonathan, you say many Republicans still have concerns about Palin’s “grasp of the issues”. Are you one of those Republicans?
November 4th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
STILL, Mike is against third-party candidates:
“More often than not, they end up throwing the race to the candidate voters like least.
I continually remind people, if you really don’t like what either of the parties are doing – and there are a lot of people who don’t – pick one that you like a little more than you like the other, that you hate the least, get involved in it, and change it,” – Mike Huckabee today : )
November 4th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
40 – Thanks about Christie…I couldn’t be happier.
I said she could very easily be unstoppable after she does her book tour. Independents and moderates and women COULD very easily warm up to her but they also might not BUT nobody can honestly say that she is unelectable when we are still so far away from the primaries.
I understand it is good strategy to try and underplay other candidates but nobody can honestly say they can predict how she will be received in 2 years.
I also think that she is starting to defeat the notion that she doesn’t have a grasp of the issues.
November 4th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
I think this has less to do with Sarah being kingmaker and more to do with Kirk trying to quelch the notion that conservatives disapprove of his candidacy. A Sarah Plain endorsement would go a long way towards that.
November 4th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
#42:
Yes I am. I don’t know what a Palin presidency would look like or where she would lead the Republican Party. Right now, everyone that likes her projects their views upon her. Things like “oh she’s really a libertarian” “no, she’s a neocon” “no way, she’s actually a paleo-con”. The truth is we don’t know, and I want to know before I vote for a candidate Palin or otherwise.
November 4th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
Let me preface by saying that i like Sarah personally and like her “from the dirt” grit. But
please tell me how she is different than, say, Barack Obama.
Hugely popular and charismatic
Inexperienced and unprepared to lead
I don’t care about how they got here, but Sarah Palin as POTUS would just be an arch-conservative version of BHO.
The one difference I see is that because of a complicit media, we didn’t expose those things in Barack until after the country elected him. Are we waiting for any more info on Sarah?
To look beyond this gaping void is to embrace the unadulterated BS John McCain was selling last year about what constituted leadership. (Another guy who wasn’t qualified to be POTUS.)
November 4th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
I don’t get why she is smart. To me she looks stupid. If there is any sign that she is not, i might change my view, but right now it looks like she is not just dumb, but is anti-intellectual. We should not like her just because democrats hate her.
November 4th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
48 – have you been reading her op-eds? have you paid attention to her impact on the health reform debate? i think there are many signs their if you care to look for them.
November 4th, 2009 at 9:45 pm
“Right now, everyone that likes her projects their views upon her.” And how is that different from Mr. Romney? Actually, there are a number of moderates in the Palin camp, but they get labeled Conservative simple because they do not make a habit of trashing Conservatism. The Romney camp has a much more difficult time keeping moderate wing on the reservation. Romney moderates tend to be loose cannons ready to explode.
November 4th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
49,
Her op eds are well and good, but I want to see how she is on her feet. She has given no indication that she can answer tough (or even not so tough) questions on the fly.
She can’t sit down with Chris Wallace on a Sunday morning? Really? She doesn’t need to go on NBC – they’ll obviously scheme to tear her down unfairly – but you can’t tell me that a Fox News Sunday interview is too much to ask for. If she were to talk to Wallace and answer some questions it might help her image a bit.
November 4th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
The woman just finished her book. Her book tour starts soon enough, I’m sure she’ll be on all of those shows you so desperately want to see her on. Be careful what you wish for.
The real question is…when you get what you wish for and she does well…then what problem will you find with her? I know you’ll never be happy with Palin…there’ll always be something.
November 4th, 2009 at 10:00 pm
Jack: #21
Heck, I would go see Palin if she was in my town and I’m not a supporter, but sure Palin would bring the most people but probably wouldn’t fill a stadium with a seating capacity of 50-60 thousand people.
November 4th, 2009 at 10:00 pm
Thanks for the lively debate guys…I’m gonna go watch the Phils lose to the Yanks. I rootin’ for the Phillies though.
November 4th, 2009 at 10:54 pm
I’m not sure why Kirk would want Palin’s endorsement in Illinois. Maybe it will help him in the rural areas, but in the urban areas I don’t think Palin is well liked.
November 4th, 2009 at 10:58 pm
I was thinking the other day that if Governor Palin is the nominee, it would be neat to have the 2012 convention in California and have some events at the Reagan Library. I could imagine Michael Reagan symbolically conferring upon Sarah the mantle of the Reagan legacy and making her His political inheritor. Can you imagine the excitement of an outdoor stadium event for Governor Palin’s acceptance speech?
November 4th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
He’s not thinking that far ahead. He is just scared shitless that the far right is going to Scozz his ass before he ever gets to the general election.
This is the state whose GOP thought that Alan Keyes had a snowball’s chance in hell against Barry Soetaro.
November 4th, 2009 at 11:33 pm
Adam,
“This is the state whose GOP thought that Alan Keyes had a snowball’s chance in hell against Barry Soetaro.”
Not really. I live in Illinois, and I can attest to the fact that we have the dumbest Republican party in the country. Bar none. That race, (against Obama) saw the Republican nominee shamed out of the race after his sexual proclivities were exposed by unsealing and making public old sealed divorce documents. That guy was actually running about even with Obama, maybe beating him. After him, the Pubs tried drafting Mike Ditka and an assortment of other people. Eventually, the geniuses thought, “Hey we need to run a black guy against their black guy. That’s the ticket!” Of course, black Republicans are hard to come by in Illinois, so they brought in Alan Keyes from Maryland, who will always run for anything.
November 4th, 2009 at 11:36 pm
This is not a challenge but a request. strong supporters tend to collect many evidences to build up their chosen ‘candidate’. Therefore would someone please list accomplishments of Sarah Palin. Not to be rude but charisma or rock star status means nothing to me neither does 1/2 a term as governor, or mayor. (This also goes for Romney, Huckabee, Pawlenty, or any other politician) please quantify what she specifically did that proves she can do something besides excite a base (I believe I am her base)
November 5th, 2009 at 2:49 am
Here’s a little thing to think about:
Conservatives seem to like their candidates in proportion to how much the Dems are perceived to hate them. This couldn’t be more wrong. Example: who do Republicans hate more, Jesse Jackson or Mark Warner? That many don’t even know who Mark Warner is should tell you that right off the bat. So, according to this logic, Dems should pick Jesse Jackson to run for President, because we Republicans hate him so much because we fear him? I’m more afraid of a sixteen year old class President than I am of Jesse Jackson. It would be a political funhouse for us from start to finish kicking the old fool around after he’s gotten away with accusing us of racism for so long.
That’s what the lefties think of Palin, Bachmann, and the like. They *know* they have no appeal to the general electorate. They know they are inclined for political antics. And they know that they love to take potshots at them, just like ol’ Jesse does at us. Nothing would make them happier than to crush Palin in an election as the easy punching bag for all they hate about the Republican Party.
Who our enemy derides, my friends, is not who they really fear. They fear the ones they *can’t* punch around. They know candidates like Bob McDonnell can destroy them and have a smile on his face while doing it. If the Democrats truly, deep down hate anyone, it’s candidates like him. Gracious, intelligent, pragmatic, focused. And decidedly conservative. McDonnell stands for everything they do not want. And they are powerless to stop him. The hardcore liberals absolutely loathe that.
November 5th, 2009 at 3:28 am
In the “conservatives for party irrelevancy” crowd:
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/11/03/eric-wallace-withdraws-bid-illinois-senate-seat/?test=economy
Conservative challenger withdraws with the justification to make it easier for another to take down Mark Kirk in the primary.
Someone should smack this man down for not learning his lesson. Someone, like the Republican voters in Illinois, por favor!
November 5th, 2009 at 5:19 am
“Someone should smack this man down for not learning his lesson. Someone, like the Republican voters in Illinois, por favor!” This is rich, those who fail to learn the lesson want to punish the teacher. Gee, that is a great way to progress.
November 5th, 2009 at 9:44 am
From Illinois, I can say that I believe this was a terrible mistake on Kirk’s part. While the South end of the state may draw conservatives for Kirk with Palin being in the mix, the Northern area, where I am from, which is definitley more populated will lose him votes. Blogs are already going crazy with people pulling their support from Kirk. Phone lines to Kirk’s offices are jammed. Kirk has McCain helping him. Once again, the mention of Palin has trown this race into a tizzy and I guarantee you the Dem will get in here in Illinois if she becomes involved.