Archive: Opinions

There can be no doubt about the effect Sarah Palin has had in the 2010 election season. From near anonymity as Senator John McCain's running mate for the 2008 Presidential Election, she has emerged as a powerful political force for the far right.

Her endorsement of many candidates in the Republican primaries proved more beneficial than any had imagined. Yet, there appears to be no overarching theme to her picks. She has supported tea party candidates such as Rand Paul in Kentucky, as well as party establishment figures including Arizona Sen. John McCain.

Conservative activist Christine O'Donnell's stunning victory over Mike Castle, a popular 20-year veteran of the small state's only House seat in Delaware as well as Joe Miller's surprise win over Lisa Murkowski in Alaska has further galvanized those who feel a real kinship with Sarah Palin. Along with members of the Tea Party, this new political force will challenge many politicians to pay more attention to the so called "fringe element" of the Republican party.
Palin's picks can be as vexing to Republicans as to Ms. Palin herself. She displays a conventional approach to her conservative choices, yet she can be unpredictable as well. She has shown an eagerness to support women on the ballot, but is not exclusive to gender. She has endorsed underdogs, but has stayed out of competitive races, including Senate GOP primaries in Nevada and Colorado. No matter the choice, the candidate is guaranteed to come under the national media spotlight.

The political clout Ms. Palin possesses offers her candidates a lot of media attention. It also helps candidates distinguish themselves from the Republican pack, especially those referred to as Republican in name only or "RINO's".

Ms. Palin's support extends into the financial realm. She has weighed in on roughly two dozen House races this election season. A House Republican staffer has estimated that candidates in House races could see an immediate $10,000 to $25,000 in donations after an endorsement by Sarah Palin.

Yet, her views and those of the Tea Party demonstrate a real disconnect with the majority of the electorate even among members of the Republican Party. Sarah Palin speaks a language that many find offensive and counter productive.

She employs an "us verses them" mentality that seeks to divide all voters into two camps: those who support American values, as defined by Sarah Palin and the Tea Party, and those who would stand by idly and watch the country fall into the hands of Obama administration's secret, liberal agenda.

Some Republican strategists, say her influence is less substantial claiming that the campaigns that won ran better races than their opponents. Upsets do occur, and Palin's choices might have been plain lucky. More than likely, Republicans fear that Tea Party Candidates, if elected in November, may not follow the party leadership thereby weakening an already uncertain Republican Party.

Sarah Palin has achieved a remarkable comeback since her defeat in 2008. She has become the de facto figurehead of the Republican Party and a champion among Tea Party members and their candidates. But her fame and character might lead to a surprise in November with fewer Republicans elected to the House and Senate. A Palin candidate just might be the ticket for the Democrats in November. And that is to the Point.

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