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Nov

5

Sarah Palin’s Influence. Part II

Filed Under American Politics 

Mark Kirk is a Republican hoping to run for Barack Obama’s former Senate seat in Illinois. He is well respected in the state as a congressman and would stand a strong chance of winning the seat. But he is a moderate, one of the Republican congressmen that voted for Cap and Trade.

However, after events on Tuesday, Kirk is now seeking some protection from the right. Chris Cillizza at The Fix has a memo by Kirk seeking Sarah Palin’s endorsement:

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.”

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).

Whatever one may think of Sarah Palin, she is a skilled political player. Her actions in NY-23 have put her in a leadership position in the party. Her unfavourables, and the public perception of her lack of qualifications for the Presidency may well mean that a 2012 run is off the cards*, but she is certainly developing a position to act as kingmaker within the party; something she alluded to when she resigned as Governor.

* Whilst Palin’s negatives and perceived inexperience, if they stay as they are, will probably scupper any realistic chance at the Presidency, these things aren’t immutable. As recently as 2007, Hillary Clinton had negative approval ratings like Palin. Now she has higher approvals than Barack Obama. And as for whether or not people perceive her as having the experience to be President; I wonder how many people three years ago thought Obama did?

It will be interesting to see if she does endorse Kirk. It will open up big revenue streams for him, not only from SarahPAC, but a Palin endorsement will encourage groups like Club For Growth to back him too. Kirk has been seen as one of a number of strong Republican candidates in 2010, his overture to Palin is big news.

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Comments

14 Responses to “Sarah Palin’s Influence. Part II”

  1. Ronnie on November 5th, 2009 9:29 pm

    I wonder how much she charges for an endorsement?

  2. Morgan on November 5th, 2009 9:43 pm

    Ronnie:

    Before anyone outside of the Deep South pays her anything they should remember that the two wins for the GOP yesterday were those gentlemen who declined to campaign with her.

    The race she went all in on was a loser.

  3. Ronnie on November 5th, 2009 10:06 pm

    Morgan.

    Oh! You know you are right. I wonder how Cabbie could have got so mixed up.

    Infatuation is a dangerous thing.

    The blood runs faster through our vains. We hear a great rushing in our ears. Once lucid thoughts become jumbled together in a great mush. Before we know it, we’ve crashed the car into a tree.

  4. Conservative Cabbie on November 6th, 2009 7:44 am

    Ronnie

    Infatuation is a dangerous thing.

    Change the record please.

  5. Conservative Cabbie on November 6th, 2009 8:18 am

    Morgan

    that the two wins for the GOP yesterday were those gentlemen who declined to campaign with her.

    And the two races Obama actively got involved in, the democrats lost. The one he didn’t was the one they won. You can’t have it both ways.

  6. simon on November 6th, 2009 8:41 am

    Virgina Exit poll showed that voters were
    older than in 2008. In 2008, young voters were 21% of the electorate, exit polls show that just 10% of voters in Virginia today were under age 30. In 2008, 20% of Virginia’s voters were African-American, compared with 15% today.

    Okay you have to be in it to win it but they may be in 2010 but most def be back in 2012

  7. Conservative Cabbie on November 6th, 2009 9:01 am

    Simon

    Great minds think alike, I’ve just done a post on the “youth vote”.

    are yo sure they’ll be there in 2012? Health insurance premiums for the 18-29 year olds will double under the Democratic healthcare proposal.

  8. simon on November 6th, 2009 9:32 am

    I know how weird is that :)

  9. Rhoda Klapp on November 6th, 2009 10:07 am

    Palin won’t succeed while Tina Fey lives! If an accident ‘happens’ to TF, that will be the sign.

  10. simon on November 6th, 2009 10:45 am

    Rhoda

    Tina and Levi run over in freak accident by the ex first Dudes snowmobile. Now that is your sign :)

  11. Rhoda Klapp on November 6th, 2009 10:55 am

    Well, I’d run over Levi if I could, he’s a frightful little shit. Not Tina though.

  12. simon on November 6th, 2009 11:40 am

    Palin is terrified of Levi – I bet he’s got video.

    Tina is gorgeous, I’m huge 30 Rock fan

  13. Original Tony on November 6th, 2009 11:55 am

    Huge 30 rock fan….hold on…uurrgh…choke…bit of bile came up!

  14. Original Tony on November 6th, 2009 12:09 pm

    Tina is gorgeous though!

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