November 19, 2008 12:10:07 PM CST
(Newser) – Sarah Palin earned roars from the primed Republican crowd last night in St. Paul—but it remains to be seen whether she can translate that enthusiasm to undecided voters, writes Adam Nagourney in the New York Times. “It’s more difficult with someone of her background to go on the attack than it would be for Joe Biden” with his years of experience, a former GOP senator tells Nagourney.
“It's unclear if the sharp and often mocking tone of her attacks—combined with her general avoidance of such key issues as the economy—might turn off swing voters across the country,” Nagourney notes. Palin “made no effort to say what she might do as a vice president” in the era of Al Gore and Dick Cheney, full partners to the president, he adds. But she should be able to energize right-wingers, Nagourney writes.
Source New York Times
Nov 5, 08 11:17 AM CST If Sarah Palin makes a run for the presidency in 4 years—a widely anticipated possibility—she'll need a more visible post than the governorship of Alaska, writes the Washington Post. Palin might well gun to polish her resume in the Senate, especially if a victorious Ted Stevens is forced out of office. Although Palin commands a deep allegiance from the conservative faithful, the former VP nominee will face stiff competition for the 2012 nod. More »
Nov 4, 08 4:19 PM CST Sarah Palin hopes to become a less divisive figure in national politics, assuming she’s not headed to Washington with John McCain, the vice-presidential nominee said after voting today in Alaska, CNN reports. “If there is a role in national politics, it won’t be so much partisan,” Palin said. “It would certainly be a uniter type of role.” More »
Oct 30, 08 9:25 PM CDT John McCain's choice of Sarah Palin continues to hurt his chances of winning Tuesday's election, a poll from the New York Times and CBS shows. In the survey, 59% of voters said Palin is not qualified to be vice president, up 9 points in a month. About a third of voters said the VP choice would be a major factor in how they vote, and most of those people are picking Barack Obama. More »
Oct 30, 08 7:18 AM CDT Vastly different crowds appear at the rallies of the candidates who started their campaigns calling for bipartisan unity, a roving New York Times reporter finds. Republican rallygoers shout to a country-pop soundtrack; the Democratic faithful dance to folk and Motown. Flag pins, pompoms, and patriotic songs define GOP gatherings, while Dems favor buttons and the word "change." More »
Oct 27, 08 3:15 PM CDT Given the damage Sarah Palin has done to John McCain’s chances, Steve Kornacki, in the New York Observer, joins Republicans in wondering about the also-rans. Tom Ridge, Joe Lieberman, and Mitt Romney were unpalatable, either personally to the candidate or politically to the party. The first two would have drawn “middle-of-the road voters whose support he has steadily lost this fall— thanks in no small part to Palin.” More »
From here, Ms. Palin moves into a national campaign where she will have to appeal to audiences that are not necessarily primed to adore her. - Adam Nagourney
Election 2008 • Sarah Palin • vice presidential candidate • vice president • Republican National Convention • campaign trail
