Posted on 09/04/2008 5:34:39 AM PDT by library user
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Sarah Palin stands at the center of a whirlwind of controversy at the Republican National Convention — but many GOP congressional candidates think the conservative Alaska governor can help motivate base voters crucial to down ballot campaigns.
In interviews, Republican members and strategists agreed that, while questions about her qualifications to be vice president remain a potentially dangerous unknown for Palin in the presidential contest, she should be able to help turn out socially conservative voters in House races. Conservative faithful in many key districts have remained wary of John McCain’s commitment to their agenda — and National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Tom Cole said Wednesday that several Republican candidates have already inquired whether Palin can appear with them at joint campaign events.
The benefit could be most apparent in competitive congressional races in the South, where Republicans lost two conservative-minded seats in special elections over the last several months and have been defending an unusual number of seats in traditionally favorable territory.
“She clearly motivates the base. Republicans are pretty pumped about her candidacy — not just because of her conservative values but because of her personality and background,” said Republican pollster Neil Newhouse. “She's someone they feel a connection with.”
Cole, in an interview with Politico reporters and editors, pointed specifically to the two open seats in Alabama — held by retiring Reps. Bud Cramer (D) and Terry Everett (R) — as districts where she will offer an immediate boost.
Indeed, Republican state Rep. Jay Love, running to succeed Everett, said that “conservatives are going to show up in a big way” because of the Palin pick.
Party strategists believe she will also energize GOP turnout in Louisiana, where Republicans are seeking to unseat Democratic Rep. Don Cazayoux and hold onto the seat of retiring Republican Rep. Jim McCrery.
The NRCC, facing a substantial fundraising disadvantage, has already reserved millions of dollars in advertising time in 26 districts — 21 of which Republicans currently hold.
“There’s no question she helps you in these conservative districts, which are one of the critical battlegrounds in the election,” said Cole. “Democrats like to crow about gains in Louisiana and Mississippi. You think Barack Obama or Sarah Palin would have the most political impact in those seats?”
Palin’s ability to rally the GOP base has a downside, however. Republicans are also defending numerous seats in suburban districts where her opposition to abortion rights and the public display of her evangelical faith could be detrimental.
Her membership in the National Rifle Association and affinity for mooseburgers might not resonate as much in suburban seats held by vulnerable Republicans such as Michigan Rep. Joseph Knollenberg, Connecticut Rep. Christopher Shays and Illinois Rep. Mark Kirk.
Kirk, a leading GOP moderate, praised the Palin pick but cautioned that her socially conservative views wouldn’t play well in his affluent district in the northern Chicago suburbs.
Instead, he urged her to emphasize her record of taking on ethically tainted Republican officials in her state and challenging the controversial “bridge to nowhere” earmark.
“If she goes out and says, 'I threw out of office another corrupt, old bull Republican,' my voters will think anti-[former Illinois Gov.] George Ryan; they’ll like it. 'Then I killed the bridge to nowhere'; then they’ll hear fiscal conservative,” said Kirk. “On the other hand, if we emphasize the social issues, [the voters] won’t be there.”
Kirk is facing a serious challenge from Democrat Dan Seals, one of the best-financed candidates in the country.
House Minority Leader John A. Boehner believes Palin's addition boosts the party's prospects in blue-collar Rust Belt districts because her background mirrors that of many voters in those parts of the country.
Party strategists pointed specifically to two northeast Pennsylvania seats held by Democratic Reps. Paul E. Kanjorski and Christopher P. Carney, who are top targets for the NRCC. Obama performed poorly in these districts during the Democratic primary; both are key to Republicans’ hopes of making inroads in the Keystone State.
"If you look at the battleground demographics — middle-class, working-class people — they all can identify with her,” Boehner said. “If you listened to her speech last Friday, her maiden venture, she sounded like an ordinary person. ... This is a lady that helps with the voters we need to attract.”
Erik Paulsen, running to succeed retiring Rep. Jim Ramstad (R-Minn.), expressed disappointment that McCain didn’t select home state Gov. Tim Pawlenty as his running mate but said that Palin can help win over independent women voters — so-called hockey moms — in his district.
“I was initially pulling for Tim Pawlenty because he’s the hometown guy, and I’m very good friends with Tim and worked with him as governor,” said Paulsen. “But I have to tell you that when I was door knocking, a lot of women, especially the ones tuned in, were really excited about the pick.”
Massive voter fraud will be the next item on the RATs agenda. No doubt about that. The GOP better be exposing it and prosecuting the guilty scum.
Thank you.
Those are two AWESOME posts.
I think Palin may well get those stragglers that form our 60% to the polls.
Can you say “ACORN” ?
Hey, DU'ers: 2012 isn't so far away. You can survive 'til then. A little arugula and some French wine will help. Maybe some grief counseling, too.
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Skirt-tails, or are GOP candidates going to be holding on to her apron strings? I love it.
The response to this speech is astonishing.
I think deserved regardless of whether she wrote it or not. Her big test will come during the debate. I believe she has already started to study different things to get prepared. I am sure Biden is as well.
Massive voter fraud will be the next item on the RATs agenda. No doubt about that. The GOP better be exposing it and prosecuting the guilty scum.
lol. The libs all say we steal elections with the electronic voting machines. Why vote when we are all cheating. lol.
Not if the "professional journalists" can help it.
Mau-Mauing Media headline:
Likely to end VP hopes, "She knows nothing about energy saving."
Palin family car has under-inflated tires
"Proves she's not serious about energy crisis," say pundits
Palin will definately reinvigorate the party...her youthful exuberence, smarts, character, energy, and hometown “feel” will be a HUGE hit and attract votes from cross party lines AND get the Reagan Democrats back into the GOP fold.
Fred is already helping in at least one congressional race. The guy who is running against Murtha.
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