It's her party and libs will cry if she makes 'em

The Business Insider is so viciously anti-Palin that that its writers helped to spread the notion that CLSA's invitation to the former governor to speak in Asia was some sort of practical joke. But it turned out to be a serious affair, and after Palin's speech was well-received and even won praise from some unlikely quarters, the Business Insiders were left with rotten egg on their faces.

Now, after Palin has shown her political muscle in upstate New York, BI has grudgingly conceded that the 2008 GOP vice presidential candidate is now a kingmaker in the Republican Party. Writer Joe Weisenthal may have cracked some caps, so great was the likely gnashing to teeth. After a couple of opening cheap shots at Sarah, the article gets down to business:

She's got power.

Just two days until the off-year, 2009 elections, her presence is being felt in races in New York and New Jersey.

[...]

Meanwhile, the old kingmaker Rush Limbaugh spoke highly of her on Fox News Sunday, saying she was definitely qualified to be President.

This doesn't mean she'll run or be competitive in 2012. But it does mean that through the 2010 midterms, she's going to be all over the place, raising money, and helping to decide the fate of GOP candidates. it's her party.

Amazing how Sarah Palin has gone from irrelevance to kingmaker in the eyes of her most severe critics, and in such a brief period of time, too.

Gig 'em, Cuda. Make 'em eat every nasty word they ever said about you.

Related: Moonbat*  left-winger Taylor Marsh also slams Sarah, but concedes:

It’s the second time this year that Sarah Palin going rogue has paid off. Her "death panels" squeal set Pres. Obama and the Democrats back on their heals, and when she came out to endorse Mr. Hoffman it seemed laughable to many. It doesn’t matter that Dick Armey was out there too, as he’s yesterday’s news. Mrs. Palin is not.

[...]

Not surprising that as you read the articles about this Republican earthquake, few are focusing the kleig lights where they belong. Sarah Palin stood up and out and boldly backed Hoffman long before it was clear it was a very good idea. Tim Pawlenty was there, but Sarah was first among people who matter. (Mr. tea party organizer, Dick Armey, does not).

* That's right, Ms. Marsh, if you want to play that game, we'll play. For every "wingnut" brick bat you throw, expect at least one "moonbat" rock coming right back at you.

- JP

Melissa Clouthier on Palin Power

Melissa Clouthier discusses Palin Power in her latest Pajamas Media op-ed. It is becoming clear that the Left, the media and the GOP power brokers have all made a gross miscalculation where Sarah Palin and the political power she can project are concerned:

Palin has been sending a couple messages recently. First, she has, since stepping down as governor, started to communicate with the people not through the press but around the press. In other words, she’s speaking directly to the people through social media.

[...]

This has had the benefit of letting the press know that she does not need them. Rather than go the Obama route and deny what is perceived as the one “enemy” to her aims, Sarah denies nearly everyone. And why not? The press trashed her with risible lies. Why give a dying breed ratings when she can reach the people herself?

Second, Sarah Palin has a massive army fundraising for her. It has been interesting to contemplate how she’s going to use that power.

[...]

With her decision to endorse Doug Hoffman, the conservative (not Republican) candidate, Sarah Palin sends the Republican Party a very clear message. She will be using her considerable fundraising ability to fund candidates who ideologically match what it used to mean to be a Republican. Since the Republican Party, from its toes to its nose, has difficulty identifying candidates with those credentials, she’ll help them do it.

The Republican Party has a choice. They can continue to antagonize those who vote them into office or they can start paying attention. They mistakenly buy the D.C. bubble philosophy that moderation is the way to find good candidates. What they’re seeing is a base willing to lose if the Republican Party doesn’t change its ways.

[...]

The base won’t be discounted any longer and they have found their champion in a very powerful Sarah Palin.

Since her name first came to national attention, those who know Sarah Palin well -- both friend and foe alike -- have warned that her opponents who underestimate her do so at their own peril. Those who have tried to destroy her and have failed should have listened.

- JP