Jim Galloway: Sarah Palin’s movie message to GOP ‘establishment’

The first line to draw applause was Palin suggesting Republicans “learn to fight like girls.”
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Atlanta Journal-Constitution political columnist Jim Galloway was in attendance Thursday night in Kennesaw for an invitation-only preview of “The Undefeated.” In his review, Galloway says those Republicans who are not Palin admirers should "find a way to see at least the final 15 minutes" of Stephen Bannon's documentary

It will tell you much about what’s happening now within the GOP.

As you might expect, the movie is packed with accounts of liberal and media hatred of Palin — conflated as being from one and the same source. This is not news and barely worth a mention.

But the last quarter hour is primarily a diatribe against the “Republican establishment.” Images of House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky jump onto the screen as conservative broadcaster Mark Levin speaks of Republicans “putting up symbolic votes that don’t have any meaning.”

[...]

It is hard to say which thoughts in the movie belong to Bannon, the director, and which ones belong to Palin. The voice of the former Alaskan governor is heard throughout, but it is drawn from the audio version of Palin’s book, “Going Rogue,” to which Bannon purchased the rights.

So there is a layer of deniability available to Palin, if she wants it.

But if the movie’s thesis in fact represents Palin’s thinking, then “The Undefeated” helps explain the strange bus tour that coincided with Mitt Romney’s formal entry last month into the presidential contest. And Palin’s appearance on Tuesday in Iowa — one day after Michele Bachmann’s appearance in the same state — for a showing of “The Undefeated.”

If Palin indeed feels snubbed by the movers and shakers within the Republican Party, then her recent behavior looks less like toe-dipping associated with a 2012 presidential bid and more like a longer-term, guerrilla campaign for the heart and soul of the GOP.

“The Undefeated” opens in metro Atlanta July 15 for a seven-day run at the AMC Barrett Commons theater complex off Barrett Parkway in Cobb County.

- JP

Jim Galloway on the Politically Practical Palin (Updated)

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In his Wednesday Political Insider column in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Jim Galloway says we have witnessed the practical side of Sarah Palin:

With a simple Facebook posting nine days ago, and a 30-second message sent to telephones in 400,000 Republican households, Palin served as both sword and shield for Karen Handel — boosting the former secretary of state to the top rung in a GOP runoff for governor.

It may have been the most efficient and impressive use of political celebrity this state has ever seen, made on behalf of a woman whose views sometimes mirror those of the former Alaskan governor – but not always.

Which is where Palin’s practical side asserted itself.

Some people would rather be right than be president. Tuesday’s vote in Georgia proved that Sarah Palin isn’t one of them.

We are excessively familiar with the slightly ditzy, I-can-see-Russia-from-my-house caricature of Palin on network TV. And Fox News makes sure we never miss the wise-cracking, line-in-the-sand ideologue.

So the concept of a calculating, distant Palin tipping the balance in Georgia politics will take some getting used to. Chances are good that we’ll have that opportunity over the next three weeks.

Galloway's money quote:

"Palin, often dismissed as an unsubtle advocate of Republican orthodoxy, has calculated that while conservative purity tests might win a primary, they aren’t necessarily a formula for victory in November."

Read the full Jim Galloway column here.

Update: At DBKP, Mondoreb doesn't like Galloway's 'tude. Not one bit.

- JP

Galloway: The power of a Facebook post by Sarah Palin

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Atlanta Journal-Constitution political columnist/blogger Jim Galloway wrote again Wednesday about the impact of Sarah Palin on the Georgia governor's race (his Monday column was on the same topic):

From somewhere in cyberspace on Monday, perhaps over lunch at her desk, Sarah Palin typed a few words in praise of Karen Handel and hit the “share” button on her Facebook page.

Within hours, the GOP’s polite race for governor of Georgia cracked wide open.

Republicans are free to dispute the former Alaskan governor’s judgment when it comes to choosing a favorite in Tuesday’s primary.

But they cannot question the political phenomenon that Palin has become in the otherwise dead air of a sultry primary season — especially in Republican races for governor.

Nikki Haley of South Carolina in May. Mary Fallin of Oklahoma and Terry Branstad of Iowa in June. And then Palin singled out Handel — “this good conservative reformer.”

Last week, Handel’s three main rivals — state Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine, former congressman Nathan Deal, and former state senator Eric Johnson — could ignore her attempts to become known as a champion of ethics, at their expense.

But within six hours of Palin’s endorsement, state Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine climbed down from his front-runner pedestal and leveled a TV ad at Handel that dubbed her a big spender, a funder of Planned Parenthood and a friend to gay couples.

With bad hair...

Read Galloway's op-ed in full at the AJC's website.

- JP

Galloway: Sarah Palin's Handel endorsement 'a game-changer'

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Atlanta Journal-Constitution political blogger Jim Galloway calls Gov. Palin's endorsement of Karen Handel in the GOP race for governor in Georgia "a game-changer":

The popular former Alaskan governor was in town two weeks ago at a charity event. Handel’s rivals – former congressman Nathan Deal, state Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine and former state senator Eric Johnson of Savannah – all are presumed to have made entreaties to forestall or intercept an endorsement of Handel.

Palin specifically cited Handel’s focus on ethics and her persona as a “reformer” – both topics of her first TV ad last week, slamming all three major rivals.

You know that the GOP establishment has been lined up against Oxendine – seen as a more vulnerable candidate in a race against Democrat Roy Barnes. The Ox himself has talked about it.

If it’s seen as a Republican signal to consolidate their anti-Ox efforts, Palin’s endorsement could change the rhythm of the GOP race for governor.

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But the key will be whether Palin will make the trip to Georgia for a side-by-side appearance with Handel within the next seven days. Certainly, that’s what Handel will be shooting for.

Galloway's full post is here.

- JP