Another Southern Politician Asks for Sarah Palin's Help

I know there are still some who question Sarah Palin's political clout.


But she is strong in the South and can be the difference in a close election.


Just ask Senator Saxby Chambliss. Sarah Palin travelled to Georgia to campaign for the Senator in a close run-off election. A veto-proof Senate for the Democrats was in the balance. No one attracted more media coverage or bigger and more enthusiastic crowds for the Chambliss campaign. He credits Palin for putting him over the top.




Here is Chambliss on Fox the day after his Pali-aided win -



Now Sarah Palin has answered the call of another Southern politician in a tough race.

Palin has endorsed Texas Governor Rick Perry for re-election, calling him the "true conservative" in a primary election showdown with fellow Republican Kay Bailey Hutchinson.

In a letter to "Texas Republican women" distributed by the Perry campaign, Palin touts the Texas governor's conservative credentials.

"He walks the walk of a true conservative. And he sticks by his guns – and you know how I feel about guns," she said.

Palin cited one of the Perry campaign's top issues – opposition to federal financial bailouts. And she singled out Perry's opposition to abortion rights.

"Not every child is born into ideal circumstances, but every life is sacred," Palin said in the mail appeal. "Rick Perry knows this – it is at the core of his being."

Hutchinson supports abortion rights, although with restrictions, including parental notification and a ban on certain late-term procedures.

According to the Perry campaign, the letter went to 10,500 members of the Texas Federation of Republican Women, an influential organization whose members have been an important part of Hutchinson's political base.

Perry spokesman Mark Miner called Palin, seen as a potential future GOP presidential nominee, "a star of the Republican Party."

Kay Bailey Hutchinson spokesman Todd Olsen, knowing Palin's popularity among Texas Republicans, was smart not to bash the Republican star. He said,"We look forward to having the [Alaska] governor's support after the primary."

There is some history between Palin and Hutchinson. You'll remember, that in a famous You Tube Video, Republican commentators were caught on an open microphone talking about how much Kay Bailey Hutchinson was shocked that John McCain picked Palin to be his running mate. Hutchinson was also a possible pick, especially if McCain was going to go for a woman. Here is the clip -



And now Palin has returned to haunt Kay again.

According to the Perry campaign, the letter went to 10,500 members of the Texas Federation of Republican Women, an influential organization whose members have been an important part of Hutchinson's political base.

Palin has strong support among the party's social conservatives. Her endorsement appeared aimed at undercutting Hutchinson's appeal with GOP women. Both groups will be important in picking the party's nominee in next year's GOP primary.