Scott Conroy: Gingrich Hoping for Boost From Sarah Palin

It seems that every time our Sarah appears on Fox News, pundits and Paliniste pore over not just ever word, but every nuance they think they spot in those words and how she utters them. Tusday night's Palin appearance with Sean Hannity fits the pattern:

Despite the deeply held maxim that endorsements are overrated, Newt Gingrich and his senior aides are increasingly hopeful of gaining Palin’s support, which could mark a significant turn in the Republican nominating fight.

In a Fox News appearance on Tuesday night, the 2008 vice presidential nominee stopped just short of endorsing Gingrich but told Sean Hannity that if she were a South Carolina resident, she would vote for him “in order to keep this thing going.”

Palin’s husband, Todd, endorsed Gingrich earlier this month, and top Palin aides have told RCP that both members of Alaska’s most famous political couple speak favorably of the former House speaker in private.

In a Washington Post poll released last week, 23 percent of registered Republicans and GOP-leaning independents nationwide said that an endorsement by Palin would make them more likely to back a particular candidate, while 15 percent said it would make them less likely to do so.

But Palin’s impact among evangelical and Tea Party-leaning GOP voters could be significant in the current multi-conservative field.

Asked how impactful a Palin endorsement would be, one Gingrich aide replied succinctly: “Big.”

[Read More]

Related: Robert Costa: Sarah for Newt?

- JP

Todd Palin endorses Newt Gingrich for president (Updated)

Todd Palin told ABC News Monday that he is endorsing Newt Gingrich for president:

But Sarah Palin, the former Alaska governor and John McCain’s 2008 Republican running mate, has yet to decide “who is best able to go up against Barack Obama,” Todd Palin said.

Palin said he has not spoken to Gingrich or anyone from the former House speaker’s campaign. But he said he respects Gingrich for what he went through in the 1990s and compared that scrutiny in public life to what Sarah Palin went through during her run for the vice presidency.

Todd Palin said he believes that being in the political trenches and experiencing the highs and lows helps prepare a candidate for the future and the job of president.

He did not criticize any of the other candidates and said his “hat is off to everyone” in the Republican race.

Todd was impressed by Gingrich's determination to press on against tall odds last summer when a most of the former Speaker's staff resigned en mass, leaving their candidate on his own to run his campaign.

Todd said that Newt’s ability to overcome that obstacle and still rise in the polls demonstrated that Gingrich is a survivor. Todd Palin knows something about survival. After a high-speed crash left him with a broken arm and broken sled, he still had the fortitude to not only finish the 2008 edition of the world's longest, toughest snow machine ( that's "snowmobile" to lower 48'ers) endurance race, but to do so in fourth place. Todd added that Gingrich, unlike the typical “beltway types,” “burst out of the political arena and touched many Americans.”

Update: Todd Palin will go On The Record tonight at 9:00PM Texas Time to discuss his endorsement of Speaker Newt Gingrich with Greta Van Susteren.

- JP

The Fix: Sarah Palin's one of the 'big six' 2012 endorsements

She "can deliver a sizeable army of supporters that any candidate would be lucky to have."
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The Washington Post's Aaron Blake, writing in "The Fix" column, observes that the 2012 GOP presidential contest has reached has reached the stage where where the candidates are beginning to battle for big name endorsements. Blake lists six key endorsements "that could change the 2012 race," and Gov. Palin's is among them:

"...the former Alaska governor still can deliver a sizeable army of supporters that any candidate would be lucky to have. She delivers the tea party crowd as much as DeMint and the social conservative crowd as much as Huckabee. More than anything, though, she delivers the kind of outsider credentials that every candidate in the race wants."

"Who’s favored? Palin’s history of backing long-shot outsiders suggests she would be open to backing someone like Herman (“Herb”) Cain. That endorsement makes all kinds of sense for Palin. At the same time, she has said nice things about Gingrich and was perhaps the key Perry backer in his 2010 primary against Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas)."

[More]

Since Blake is purely speculating anyway, it should be pointed out that Perry's gubernatorial primary was a lifetime ago, at least when measured in political time, and both he and Cain have stumbled in recent weeks. In fact, whether she will even make a presidential endorsement before the primaries have determined the nominee is open to debate. New York Magazine's Gabriel Sherman claims to have been told by an anonymous "Palin advisor" that the former Alaska governor will make an endorsement, but as we have seen, unnamed media sources haven't been very reliable about what Sarah Palin will or will not do. I'm taking the entire NY Mag article with a big grain of salt.

- JP

ABC News: Gov. Palin Endorses Tom Tancredo

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ABC News’ Huma Khan reports that Sarah Palin has endorsed Tom Tancredo, a former GOP congressman-turned now running on the American Constitution Party ticket:

Palin taped a recorded message for Tancredo, though she didn’t endorse him on Facebook and Twitter, as she normally does.

“Tom is the right man for the job and he’ll fight for lower taxes,” Palin said. “He’ll stop growing government and start growing the economy, and we know he’ll continue to work to end illegal immigration.”

Listen to Gov. Palin's recording here.

Andrew Malcolm comments:

It's actually not a bad political move for Tancredo and Palin. With no GOP damage since Maes is a non-factor, she solidifies her anti-establishment, go-with-the-common-sense-conservative-guy-no-matter-what stance. Palin's pal and Tancredo's former House colleague Michele Bachmann made the same move earlier. If Tancredo wins, it looks like he'd owe her, if Palin were to run for something else someday soon.

And since Tancredo wasn't getting any significant Democratic support anyway, the arrival of Palin's endorsement costs him nothing and might help among Colorado's conservatives, where she is a favorite and he must score very big to have a chance in this three-way tilt.

- JP

Sarah Palin's endorsement increases traffic on Philpot website

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The left wing, anti-Palin, pro-Obama Salt Lake Tribune was forced to admit Tuesday that Gov. Palin's Monday endorsement of Morgan Philpot for Congress in Utah's 2nd Congressional District has increased the traffic on the Republican Candidate's website:

The former Alaska governor and vice presidential nominee — not to mention tea party idol — dropped Philpot’s name onto her Facebook fan page with an endorsement and a link to Philpot’s website. That alone generated a spike of hits on the Philpot campaign site, according to campaign manager Lyall Swim.

Swim said the Palin nod had been in the works “for a few months” and gathered steam in recent days when a Utah Policy Poll showed Matheson’s support below 50 percent. He also said conservative commentator Dick Morris served as a facilitator between Palin’s people and the Philpot camp.

The Trib's Oct. 17, 2008, editorial endorsing Obama read like it was written by the DNC, all the way down to its reprehensible smears of the governor. How's all that hope and change working out for you now, Trib?

- JP

Gov. Palin endorses Steve Pearce in NM-02

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On Facebook Wednesday, Sarah Palin endorsed Steve Pearce for the U.S. House of Representatives in NM-02:

Steve Pearce for New Mexico

With less than four weeks until Election Day, the momentum is clearly on our side. We must keep it going! Today, I’m happy to endorse another principled conservative running for Congress.

Steve Pearce, in New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District, understands what makes this country great. As a decorated military veteran, Steve served our country with honor and distinction. As a successful business-owner, he has created real jobs for New Mexico. By sending Steve back to Congress, we add one more strong voice for fiscal discipline, energy independence, and getting Americans back to work.

Please visit Steve Pearce’s website at www.peopleforpearce.com and follow him on Facebook and Twitter.

Pearce is actually running for a seat he once held. He represented New Mexico's 2nd CD from 2003 to 2009 and had risen to the leadership position of Assistant Minority Whip in the House. He left that body to run for the U.S. Senate and won the GOP primary, but he lost in the general election to Tom Udall. Then Pearce announced his candidacy for his old seat and easily won the Republican primary.

Pearce is matched against incumbent Democrat Harry Teague in the 2010 general election. The 2nd Congressional District encompasses the entire southern half of New Mexico, including the cities of Las Cruces and Roswell. Both Pearce and Teague are from Hobbs in Lea County.

- JP

Spike Maynard on his ensorsement by Gov. Palin

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Don Surber writes that even though Spike used to be a Democrat (we're in good company), he "was conservative when conservative was not cool." In a press release issued by his campaign, Maynard commented on Sarah Palin's recent endorsement of his candidacy:

Spike Maynard said, “We are excited and grateful to have the support of Sarah Palin in our campaign against Rahall. His support of Obamacare and his commitment to the Obama and Pelsoi team are two of the top reasons we started this campaign to begin with.”

Maynard continued, “Our campaign continues to gain momentum because the voters in West Virginia’s Third Congressional District do not want to be represented by anyone on the Obama / Rahall / Pelosi team.”

Spike Maynard is the Republican running in the 3rd Congressional District of West Virginia. Maynard is a former West Virginia State Supreme Court Justice and trial judge from Mingo County. Maynard is an Air Force veteran, where he served in reconnaissance during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Following his honorable discharge, Maynard was the Managing Director of the Tug Valley Chamber of Commerce and practiced law. In 1976, Maynard was elected as a Prosecuting Attorney for Mingo County. He was appointed by Governor Rockefeller to the Thirtieth Judicial Circuit and was twice elected to that circuit. His legal experience saw him elected to the Supreme Court of Appeals, where he served as Chief Justice in 2000, 2004 and 2008.

Maynard's campaign website is ILikeSpike.com.

- JP

Gov. Palin endorses Stephen Broden in TX-30

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Via Facebook, Sarah Palin has endorsed Stephen Broden, pastor of Fair Park Baptist Church, in his race for the U.S. House of Representatives:

Lone Star State Shines with Stephen Broden in Texas’ 30th Congressional District

It’s an honor to support Stephen Broden to represent Texas’ 30th Congressional District. As a teacher and pastor he has made it his life’s work to support the good people of the Fair Park and South Dallas areas in the beautiful Lone Star State. His community leadership helped provide better economic and educational opportunities by supporting private sector efforts to empower the people there. Through his Fair Park Friendship Center, Pastor Broden has provided practical help to those in need, proving that private charities can do much more than government can. As a Commonsense Constitutional Conservative, he is committed to getting our country back to the founding principles of limited government and fiscal responsibility.

Please visit Pastor Broden’s website: www.brodenforcongress.com and follow him on Facebook and Twitter.

- Sarah Palin

Broden's opponent is incumbent Democrat Eddie Bernice Johnson of Dallas. The Dallas Morning News revealed earlier this month that the Congresswoman awarded at least 23 Congressional Black Caucus Foundation scholarships to her relatives and the children of a top staffer – in violation of the foundation's nepotism and residency rules. Rep. Johnson also apparently asked the Foundation to send scholarship checks directly to her two grandsons and two great-nephews, rather than to their colleges.

- JP

Las Vegas Sun: Sharron Angle seeks a push from Sarah Palin

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The Las Vegas Sun reports that the Sharron Angle campaign in Nevada is preparing to announce an endorsement of its candidate by Sarah Palin. Angle staffers are hoping that an endorsement from the the first woman to be both governor of Alaska and the GOP's vice presidential candidate will motivate the Republican base and turn out voters in their tight race against Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid:

Although Angle’s campaign has actively pursued the former Alaska governor’s endorsement, the effect of Palin’s seal of approval remains an open question in a race with so few undecided voters.

Republican operatives acknowledged that Palin is a polarizing figure unlikely to sway independent voters, who are key to the race, or persuade new voters to join Angle’s camp. But a visit by her to the state could motivate volunteers and help get Angle’s much-needed base to the polls.

“Sure there are some Republicans who aren’t impressed with her,” said Robert Uithoven, a Republican consultant in Reno. “But she’s still a significant force in the conservative movement. And I think in a race that could be decided by a few hundred votes, it’s important to use every tool.”

Indeed, Angle hopes Palin will fill the role of party motivator just as her opponent, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, is counting on President Barack Obama, who plans to headline at least one October campaign event for him, to rally the troops.

And if there’s a party that needs motivating this election cycle, it’s the Democrats.

“I never thought I would say this, but Sarah Palin actually is a bigger draw for those loyal supporters on the right than Barack Obama is for supporters on the left,” said Eric Herzik, a political scientist at UNR. “The left is a little dispirited and a little fractured right now.”

Angle spokesman Jarrod Agen said the campaign is working out the details of an event to make the official endorsement announcement. He would not confirm whether Palin would visit the state to stump for Angle.

Although Gov. Palin has not formally endorsed Angle, she has already provided some support to the former member of the Nevada Assembly. In June, an Angle spokesman said the campaign had received a "generous donation" from SarahPAC, and the governor offered some moral support the same month via Twitter, encouraging Angle to "stay strong" in the wake of politically-motivated attacks against her. In July, Gov. Palin defended Angle, again in a Twitter message.

The Daily Caller inaccurately reported in July that Angle had Sarah Palin's endorsement. While the candidate may have had the governor's implicit approval, it has never been made explicitly.

Speaking of inaccuracy, the Sun's article has a few errors, including this one:

"Palin has mostly endorsed women, all of whom are conservative — “mama grizzlies,” as Palin likes to call them."

Actually, Gov. Palin has endorsed 23 men and 18 women for national office in the 2010 elections. She has also endorsed three women for statewide office, but even counting those endorsements, the governor has endorsed two more men than women.

- JP

NRA joins Gov. Palin and TPX; endorses Christine O'Donnell (Updated)

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The National Rifle Association joined Sarah Palin and Tea Party Express and endorsed Christine O'Donnell Friday in Delaware's Republican Senate primary. O'Donnell is hoping to upset Rep. Mike Castle on Tuesday:

The NRA's Political Victory Fund cited O'Donnell's "commitment to preserving the Second Amendment" in its endorsement of her Friday.

“Christine O’Donnell will be a strong voice in fighting ongoing efforts by anti-gun politicians to dismantle the Second Amendment,” chairman of the NRA's Political Victory Fund Chris Cox said in a statement. “We ask all Delaware gun-owners and hunters to vote for Christine O’Donnell in the U.S. Senate Republican primary on September 14th.”

The NRA's endorsement made no mention of Castle, but the longtime congressman earns an "F" from the gun lobby for his voting record.

Gov. Palin just retweeted Mark Levin's link to this article:

This says a lot. RT. "@marklevinshow: NRA endorses O'Donnell today. http://bit.ly/bxhD5Y http://fb.me/D77ibv6L"

Meanwhile, Tea Party Express announced Friday that it has raised over $200,000 in support of O'Donnell's campaign:

"We're raising money from grassroots conservatives $25, $50 and $100 at a time to support Christine O'Donnell as we fight back against the millions of dollars Mike Castle has collected from the corrupted special interests in Washington, D.C. to wage his smear campaign against the tea party movement as a whole and conservative Republican Christine O'Donnell," said Joe Wierzbicki, Coordinator for the Tea Party Express.

Update: Sen. Jim DeMint Endorses O'Donnell

- JP

Sarah Palin on the Sean Hannity radio show

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Courtesy of Palin TV, here's Gov. Palin's unscheduled call to Sean Hannity on his radio show today;



Support Palin TV

- JP

Gov. Palin puts her Christine O'Donnell endorsement on Facebook

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Sarah Palin, who announced her endorsement of Christine O'Donnell on Sean Hannity's radio program this afternoon, has followed up with a Facebook posting:

Christine O'Donnell for Delaware

The wave of positive change can really sweep across our land with the election of Constitutional Conservatives who promise to use common sense and rein in the federal government spending! Please support Christine O’Donnell in Delaware. She will support efforts for America’s energy security, patient-centered health care reform, cutting government waste, and letting the private sector thrive and prosper! We can’t afford “more of the same” in Washington. Christine will help usher in the real change we need to get America on the right track. Please visit her website at www.christine2010.com and follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

- Sarah Palin

- JP

Sarah Palin endorses Christine O'Donnell (Updated)

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In an unannounced appearance on Sean Hannity's radio program, Gov. Palin just officially endorsed Christine O'Donnell in the race for U.S. Senate in Delaware. The endorsement certainly answers any questions regarding whether the governor has any reservations about supporting a Reagan conservative in deep blue states (see here).

The woman is absolutely fearless.

Updates...

From Sean Hannity via Twitter:

"Thanks @SarahPalinUSA for the last minute call in. Endorsement of Christine O'Donnell was an exclusive. Said she hadn't told Christine yet."

David Weigel on the connection which helped bring about today's endorsement:

"Matt Moran, O'Donnell's campaign manager, previously worked with Doug Hoffman's campaign in NY-23. It was Palin's endorsement of Hoffman that really rocketed him into the stratosphere. Moran's connection to the Palin camp was obviously helpful in keeping the possibility of an Palin-O'Donnell endorsement alive, even as Republicans tried to stunt her momentum and prevent any more groups like the Tea Party Express from jumping in."

The candidate's reaction upon getting the news:

"@sarahpalinusa Thank you for support on @SeanHannity today! #tcot #conservative #DESEN #teaparty"

and:

"Just got Gov. Palin's endorsement! Thank you for your prayers!"

Real Clear Politics has an audio clip of the endorsement here.

- JP

Quote of the Day (August 18, 2010)

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Clint Didier:

"Let me tell you what, don’t you take anything away from Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin is working her tail off for this country. She’s been all over this country to different states. She’s going where she thinks she can do the most good, I just thank her for her efforts."

- JP

The DC claims that Sharron Angle has Sarah Palin’s endorsement

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The Daily Caller is reporting that Sharron Angle has Gov. Palin’s endorsement:

Palin’s brother, Chuck Heath, told The Daily Caller that his sister plans to “actively help” Angle and “do whatever she can” to help take out Democratic Sen. Harry Reid, the Senate’s majority leader, in Nevada this fall.

“She’s got GUTS and is putting up with more crap than she deserves because the libs don’t know what to do with her and the support she has,” Palin said in a email provided to TheDC by Heath.

While Palin has not yet formally endorsed Angle in public before now, she said her support was offered to the Angle campaign when she recently made a donation to her. It is not clear if Palin was referring to a personal donation she made to Angle or the money her SarahPAC has contributed to Angle’s campaign. Palin has also supported Angle on Twitter, writing that Angle was “right” about wanting to allow workers to invest Social Security in private accounts.

Actually, Gov. Palin has not formally endorsed Sharron Angle. Donations and public expressions of support may show where the governor's sympathies lie, but they are not tantamount to an official endorsement.

Read the full DC report here.

- JP

Sarah Palin endorses Brian Murphy for governor of Maryland (Updated)

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On Facebook Wednesday, Gov. Palin endorsed "papa grizzly" Brian Murphy in Maryland's GOP primary race for governor:

Brian Murphy for Maryland

I’m honored to endorse Brian Murphy for Governor of Maryland. Brian is a pro-life, pro-Second Amendment commonsense conservative and a firm believer in the free market and the cause for energy independence. As a former energy industry executive and current small business owner, Brian has the private sector experience that is so lacking in government today. He knows how to incentivize industry to get our economy moving again. Together with his running mate for lieutenant governor, Mike Ryman, Brian will provide Maryland with principled and results oriented leadership.

Please join me in supporting Brian by visiting his website at www.brianmurphy2010.com and following him on Facebook and Twitter.

In the primary race, Murphy opposes former Gov. Bob Erlich, who lost to Democrat Martin O'Malley in November, 2006 after serving a single term.

Updates...

Brian Murphy issued the following statement in a press release from his campaign:

“I am humbled and honored to receive Governor Palin’s endorsement. Governor Palin has served her city, her state, her country, and her party with distinction. Governor Palin has always been led by principle, conviction and character. I look forward to working with her as we unify the Republican Party in Maryland, and around the country, on its core principles. Governor Palin’s endorsement is an honor and a privilege.”

The Baltimore Sun's political blog reported it here.

- JP

Bob McConnell enjoys boost from Palin endorsement

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Congressional candidate Bob McConnell Of Steamboat Springs, Colorado talked recently to The Pilot, his hometown newspaper, about the boost he has received from Gov. Palin's endorsement in his race against Scott Tipton for the GOP nomination for the U.S. House of Representatives:

Within 10 days of receiving an endorsement from former vice presidential candidate and Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, Bob McConnell said, he received interview requests from Time Magazine and the RedState conservative news blog, financial contributions from across the country and a huge increase in page views to his website.

“It’s been pretty incredible,” said McConnell, a Steamboat Springs resident running against state Rep. Scott Tipton, of Cortez, for the Republican nomination for the U.S. House of Representatives.

[...]

Tipton holds a huge fundraising lead against McConnell, with more than $204,000 on hand as of June 30 compared with the more than $24,000 on hand McConnell reported July 21.

McConnell implied Wednes­day that the Palin endorsement could narrow that gap.

McConnell said he and his campaign team initially approached Palin through e-mails and phone calls that eventually resulted in outreach from Palin’s staff.

“We worked hard for that, and I pursued that endorsement because she represents values that I respect,” McConnell said Wednesday. “We need conservative, constitutional leaders.”

McConnell said he was in Cortez earlier this month when he got a phone call telling him about Palin’s upcoming endorsement. In a sign of the times, it happened on her Facebook page.

“We watched it go live on her Facebook and watched the almost immediate reaction,” McConnell said, referring to hits on that website and his. “The feedback has been, ‘Wow.’”

Colorado Republicans will cast their primary votes Tuesday, August 10.

- JP

AJC: Palin nods, and suddenly a Georgia race wakes up

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The Atlanta Journal-Constitution 's Jill Vejnoska
 poses a the rhetorical question, does anyone in Georgia still remembers when the Peach State's gubernatorial race wasn’t all about Sarah Palin:

You know, before she suddenly breathed life into what one wit termed a “Zombie Campaign”? Before her endorsement of Karen Handel broke the heart of one of her biggest fans, leaving her feeling like some scorned heroine in a romance novel? Before Nathan Deal, the “true” conservative Republican candidate Palin passed over, asked her anyway to please come moderate a series of debates?

Less than two weeks ago, things were what passed for politically normal here. Then Palin, the former Alaska governor and vice presidential nominee wandered onto Facebook to endorse Handel, instantly transforming the state’s watching-paint-dry-dull Republican primary into a juicy straight-outta-Wasilla spectacle.

And suddenly Handel, the former Georgia secretary of state who’d trailed by nearly double digits in the polls, ended up winning the seven-candidate race by a startling 11 percentage points.

That set up an Aug. 10 runoff between Handel and No. 2 finisher Deal — and kicked the feverish Palin-inspired speculation level up a few more notches: Would she campaign here for Handel? (Nobody knows, though the campaign gets asked about it nonstop.) Why had she thrown her weight behind a candidate she scarcely knew? (Her only explanation: Handel is a “commonsense conservative” and underdog.)

Best of all, would Deal dare to take the gloves off in dealing with the Palin endorsement, let alone two super-empowered female politicians operating in his own backyard (three, if you count Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, who’s also endorsed Handel)?

“I call it the one-two punch,” chuckled Martha Zoller, who hosts a syndicated political talk radio program out of Gainesville. “That’s a bunch of really strong women there.”

It should come as no surprise to anyone who who has done their homework why the 2008 GOP vice presidential candidate endorsed Handel. Deal is part of a corrupt good old boys' club, and Gov. Palin has a record of fighting such venality.

Read the rest of this AJC article here.

h/t: roy y

- JP

NY Mag: A Palin endorsement 'means more' than an Obama endorsement

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We posted this morning that an endorsement from Sarah Palin is valued; one from President Obama, not so much. Even a New York Magazine assistant editor agrees. Dan Amira wrote in the liberal periodical's Daily Intel column today:

Bad news for President Obama in a new Quinnipiac poll out this morning. Not only does his presidency get its lowest numbers in the poll to date, but... it seems that Obama's endorsement would taint his fellow Democrats running for office more than help them. Only 12 percent of voters say that Obama campaigning for a candidate makes them more likely to vote for that candidate... Even Sarah Palin... wields more influence: 16 percent of voters... say that they would be more likely to vote for a candidate for whom Palin campaigns.

Since no one on his team apparently has the cojones to do it, Obama needs someone from the old Bill Clinton campaign war room to plaster the White House walls with signs which read, "It's the socialism, stupid."

h/t: Evil Conservative

- JP

AJC: Deal and Handel will face off in GOP runoff

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The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that Democrat Roy Barnes easily won the Democratic gubernatorial primary in Georgia Tuesday. He will face either Karen Handel or Nathan Deal in the November general election:

Handel is pulling ahead with 34 percent of the vote, and Deal was running second with 23 percent. Eric Johnson had 20 percent of the vote and John Oxendine 17 percent.

Oxendine, Georgia’s insurance commissioner since 1994, conceded at about 10:15.

The top two Republican vote-getters will face each other in a runoff Aug. 10.

The percentages have been largely static since about 10 percent of the vote was counted.

Handel was endorsed by Gov. Sarah Palin last week.

- JP