The Massachusetts Senate election is right around the corner, and many of the GOPs 2012 presidential hopefuls have weighed in on behalf of Republican candidate Scott Brown. Tim Pawlenty is pushing for him. Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney’s got his back, too. All of which is causing Democrats to ask, Where’s Sarah Palin?
“She’s one of the more vocal personalities representing the right wing of their party, and it’s interesting that she’s nowhere to be found in this race,” said one top Democratic strategist–a view echoed by several operatives.
“Palin for America’s enthusiastic endorsement of Scott Brown this weekend got us wondering – where on earth is Sarah Palin herself?” asked DNC spokesman Hari Sevugan in a statement to TPMDC.
Clearly, her supporters are anxious for her to weigh in. And, never one to be shy with an endorsement, Palin has — in the last year alone – endorsed and in many cases offered financial support to a laundry list of far-right Republican leaders including Michele Bachmann, Rob Portman, Doug Hoffman, Marsha Blackburn, Bob McDonnell and Chris Christie. In fact, we’re hard pressed to come up with a national party figure who’s been more active in endorsing Republican candidates over the past year than Sarah Palin.”
“Will Sarah Palin join Tim Pawlenty, Mitt Romney and other national Republicans in their support for Scott Brown? Or, has the pit bull lost her bark?
It isn’t exactly a mystery why Democrats would want to see Palin speak up for Brown. Massachusetts is an overwhelmingly liberal state, but Democratic apathy, and a lethargic campaign have at least one poll showing Brown ahead of Democratic candidate Martha Coakley. What better way to rouse sleeping voters than by injecting one of the most polarizing figures in politics into the race. Which is why it seems likely that Republicans aren’t exactly itching for her to get involved.
Republicans close to the race say it is is unlikely Sarah Palin would make a stop in Massachusetts because her appeal is to a different region and to Republicans more focused on social issues. They believe the race will be won and lost on spending issues. GOP sources said there had been “no talk” of Palin coming to the Bay State.
Additional reporting by Christina Bellantoni.
