Worthington: Palin may be only one who can unite the GOP

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Peter Worthington, founding editor and columnist for the Toronto Sun, writes that Sarah Palin she may be the only Republican one who can bring discordant factions of the GOP together:

As the keynote speaker at the national Tea Party convention, she was a voice of moderation, even reconciliation. Tea Partiers loved her, while Democrats and liberal commentators scorned her. To the uncommitted, she was pretty effective.

But it was Palin being interviewed by Chris Wallace that showed how far she’s come from the days when Katie Couric flummoxed her. Wallace is arguably the most effective TV news interviewer around, now that Tim Russert is dead. While tough and respectful he obviously likes Palin, who gave as good as she got and was surprisingly candid and knowledgeable.

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Sarah Palin is the only Republican with a large constituency who think she’s the cat’s meow. Evangelicals, right-to-lifers, along with just plain folks who comprise the core of middle America seem pledged to her. Polls show among Republicans she leads possible presidential contenders with 16% support, compared to the next in line, Mitt Romney at 11%.

What this means — or should mean — is Sarah Palin has the potential to bring Republicans together. The Tea Party movement has its share of nutbars, but they are mostly good people, conscientious and concerned Americans.

Without them, the Republican party cannot win.

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Right now she may be the only one who can bring discordant Republicans together.

Small wonder Democrats hate and fear her.

Small wonder indeed, as the past week has seen an increase in the already frequent attacks against Gov. Palin by leftist Democrats, their captive media outlets and even social libertarians, far-right-wing conservatives and some of the shills for Big Oil in Alaska.

Read Worthington's full column here.

- JP