Palin Endorsements Pay Off

Former Alaska governor, Sarah Palin, is endorsing many Republicans in the primaries for the upcoming mid-term elections.
And, according to this map, her endorsements are paying off.
In 14 contested races, Mrs. Palin has backed the winner in 10 of the 14. And they are candidates that are both establishment and Tea Party backed.
For instance, here in California Mrs. Palin backed Republican senate candidate Carly Fiorina and she won her primary. And she has endorsed longtime conservative activist Star Parker in the California 37th congressional race against Democrat incumbent Laura Richardson. And, Miss Parker did not have a primary opponent. And she is considered to be Tea Party friendly. So, Mrs. Palin is batting 1.000 in California.
Not that she has taken her licks in endorsements.
The two most glaring losses are Vaughn Ward in Idaho and Tim Burns in Pennsylvania. And the Tim Burns endorsement is not a total loss. Mr. Burns did lose the special election to replace the late congressman John Murtha earlier this year. But, Mr. Burns did win the primary to face current congressman Mark Critz in November. So, that is one we wait to see on.
And there are still some primaries to go and about 19 endorsements to pan out. That includes her endorsement and support for former Republican presidential candidate Sen. John "F--- You" McCain.
But it does appear that careful and sometimes surprising endorsements have paid off for Mrs. Palin. It does appear that she has a pulse on the Republican primary voter.
The real test will be in November when the candidates have to win in the general election. If many of these candidates do win, there will be a groundswell of support for Mrs. Palin to take a shot at the Republican presidential nod in 2012.
But, a lot will have to happen other than endorsements winning elections.
Winning candidates will help bring credibility among some that feel Mrs. Palin is a lightweight in the national political scene. If that happens, well it will complicate some Republican presidential candidate's plans for '12.