Published: Sunday, June 20, 2010
Can Sarah Palin make a difference in Washington state races?
The woman who wants Republican John Koster in Congress graces Newsweek's cover this week.
And the congressman she'd dumped, Democrat Rick Larsen, couldn't be happier.
It testifies to the power of Sarah Palin — ‘Saint Sarah' if you pick up a copy of the magazine — that both candidates find her endorsement of Koster a godsend.
Palin arrived on the scene a week ago, issuing support in the new-fashioned way of tweeting.
Koster advisers immediately announced the news at the state Republican Party convention, evoking a bout of strong applause from the 1,600 attendees.
Then they set about figuring out how best to benefit from it.
Koster, an underdog against the five-term Larsen in the 2nd Congressional District, hopes her vote of confidence swells the ranks of volunteers for the various tasks successful campaigns depend on.
Palin's backing already brought a jolt of media attention and a few donations. But Koster really needs for those on the East Coast to take note.
He's been trying to prove to leaders of the National Republican Congressional Committee that he can beat Larsen provided he has adequate resources. If the NRCC brain trust agrees and steers money and workers Koster's way, it will greatly enhance his chance of an upset this fall.
Larsen, meanwhile, thinks Palin's seal of approval will be the kiss of defeat for Koster.
He calculates more of the district's voters will be turned off by the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee's involvement.
Larsen thinks his supporters will spring into action once they learn she's behind Koster. He, too, is trying to cash in on the former Alaska governor, sending an e-mail this week soliciting backers for donations to “Help me send Sarah Palin a message.”
Both candidates obviously sense there is a Palin Factor to consider in their duel, but they measure its potential quite differently — probably because there really isn't much on which to calibrate her potential impact.
In 2008 she did energize conservative voters and boost the overall national performance of John McCain. In the 2nd Congressional District, Barack Obama won handily and it's not crystal clear whether Palin's presence on the GOP ticket had much effect on the final margin.
In 2010, she continues to be a sought out political celebrity whose force of personality stirs strong feelings in voters. Certainly there is some Palin fatigue — even exhaustion — in the electorate.
Yet her appearance on Newsweek's cover demonstrates her staying power as an It girl in politics.
Those tracking her picks this election season know she's got a winning record thus far: Nikki Haley for governor in South Carolina, Carly Fiorina for U.S. Senate in California and Terry Branstad for governor in Iowa to name three. And people like being associated with a winner.
On the other hand, there are few similarities between those high-profile contests and the one pitting Koster against Larsen.
To maximize the potential benefit of her endorsement, Koster needs Palin to come and campaign with him.
Her tweet alone won't be enough to wipe the victory smile off Larsen's face in November.
Political reporter Jerry Cornfield's blog, The Petri Dish, is at www.heraldnet.com. Contact him at 360-352-8623 or jcornfield@heraldnet.com.
And the congressman she'd dumped, Democrat Rick Larsen, couldn't be happier.
It testifies to the power of Sarah Palin — ‘Saint Sarah' if you pick up a copy of the magazine — that both candidates find her endorsement of Koster a godsend.
Palin arrived on the scene a week ago, issuing support in the new-fashioned way of tweeting.
Koster advisers immediately announced the news at the state Republican Party convention, evoking a bout of strong applause from the 1,600 attendees.
Then they set about figuring out how best to benefit from it.
Koster, an underdog against the five-term Larsen in the 2nd Congressional District, hopes her vote of confidence swells the ranks of volunteers for the various tasks successful campaigns depend on.
Palin's backing already brought a jolt of media attention and a few donations. But Koster really needs for those on the East Coast to take note.
He's been trying to prove to leaders of the National Republican Congressional Committee that he can beat Larsen provided he has adequate resources. If the NRCC brain trust agrees and steers money and workers Koster's way, it will greatly enhance his chance of an upset this fall.
Larsen, meanwhile, thinks Palin's seal of approval will be the kiss of defeat for Koster.
He calculates more of the district's voters will be turned off by the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee's involvement.
Larsen thinks his supporters will spring into action once they learn she's behind Koster. He, too, is trying to cash in on the former Alaska governor, sending an e-mail this week soliciting backers for donations to “Help me send Sarah Palin a message.”
Both candidates obviously sense there is a Palin Factor to consider in their duel, but they measure its potential quite differently — probably because there really isn't much on which to calibrate her potential impact.
In 2008 she did energize conservative voters and boost the overall national performance of John McCain. In the 2nd Congressional District, Barack Obama won handily and it's not crystal clear whether Palin's presence on the GOP ticket had much effect on the final margin.
In 2010, she continues to be a sought out political celebrity whose force of personality stirs strong feelings in voters. Certainly there is some Palin fatigue — even exhaustion — in the electorate.
Yet her appearance on Newsweek's cover demonstrates her staying power as an It girl in politics.
Those tracking her picks this election season know she's got a winning record thus far: Nikki Haley for governor in South Carolina, Carly Fiorina for U.S. Senate in California and Terry Branstad for governor in Iowa to name three. And people like being associated with a winner.
On the other hand, there are few similarities between those high-profile contests and the one pitting Koster against Larsen.
To maximize the potential benefit of her endorsement, Koster needs Palin to come and campaign with him.
Her tweet alone won't be enough to wipe the victory smile off Larsen's face in November.
Political reporter Jerry Cornfield's blog, The Petri Dish, is at www.heraldnet.com. Contact him at 360-352-8623 or jcornfield@heraldnet.com.
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