Palin Heads to Georgia to Campaign for Chambliss - Press Sees Threat for 2012

The Georgia Senate Run-off between incumbent Chambliss (R) and Martin (D) has garnered more than a share of national press coverage. The race could add another seat to the Democrats control of Senate bringing them within one seat of a filibuster proof super-majority. Big-guns on both sides of the aisle have gone to the candidates defense, including Al Gore, Bill Clinton, Mike Huckabee, John McCain and Barack Obama is making Robo-Calls into the state in defense of Martin. How important is this race? Sarah Palin is scheduled to make appearances in Georgia on Monday – Palin, remains a favorite with Republicans and Republican leaning independents for 2012 race (Gallop), she is most likely able to get the party faithful out to the Georgia polls a second time.

Palin remains a press “favorite”, CNN’s ”Politicla Ticker reports on the Gallop Poll findings re: 2012 and her popularity with verbiage hinging on “hatred”: “That’s right…Sarah “I read all the newspapers,” Palin. Former mayor of Wasilla, first-term governor of Alaska and hockey mom. Her interviews with Katie Couric are the stuff of legend. After she and McCain got their clocks cleaned, Governor Palin couldn’t get enough of the TV cameras.” Perhaps someone should point out to CNN’s Jack Cafferty, that CNN’s own crew has requested and received interviews with Palin post Nov. 4.

Does Sarah Palin really represent that big of a threat to committed Progressive Democrats? An LA Times Blog article by former Times Editorial Board member, Andrew Malcolm, complains that Palins' campaigning for Chambliss is not as selfless or discreet as Clinton or Romney - rather more self-serving in an attempt to gain allies for a 2012 run. From Anchorage to New York there is a wealth of speculation on 2012 laced with heavy negative rhetoric towards the Governor of Alaska and former GOP V.P. candidate from the coastal daily press.

Is the speculation on the next presidential race unusual? – Of course not – 2012 was being analyzed before the 2008 elections ended, by both parties. Normally, the speculation dies down by the first week of December and is relegated to page 32 - leaving political junkies to read between the lines of obscure articles in order to predict the most likely group of potential candidates for ensuing elections. This time, it’s a bit different because Palin remains in the spotlight, popular with her own base and right-leaning Independents and popular with talk show hosts, those "mainstream" news shows - even Ophra! Should Chambliss be successful, Palin will undoubtedly be subject to greater scrutiny (regardless of the fact that a gaggle of male party honchos have made the pilgrimage to the Peach State in Chambliss’ defense.) Should Chambliss fail to retain his seat, one can bet that the Press (and those pesky anonymous campaign sources - Washington Republicans don't play well with those outside the Beltway) will lay the blame on her – regardless of the other "big whigs" involved. With each and every Google News Alert on Palin (which has not slowed any post election either), the venom is increasingly apparent – the more “we the people” like her, the more the press goes into overdrive to downplay (being kind) Palin’s viability. Is Palin a threat? - “You betcha".

Palin minces no words when pointing out the obvious bias, from the “Mainstream” Press, and should she become that force to be reckoned with in 2012 (along with a host of others who are now being touted as possible candidates), and should history repeat itself, with a House built upon Democrat Ideals destined to go the way of Carter, then a Republican Revolution will sweep in 2012 – and who would be more qualified to lead that revolution than Palin – the woman the press and the elite’s love to hate.