As it turns out, there is a GOP gubernatorial nominee in 2009 who thinks Gov. Palin is an asset. Not in Virginia, not New Jersey – but let’s not forget that the Northern Mariana Islands are also electing a Governor this year. And guess who’s picture is front and center on the website of GOP nominee Heinz Sablan Hofschneider? I’ll give you a hint, it’s not Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, Tim Pawlenty, or Newt Gingrich. I might also add that two of the last three governors in the Northern Marianas were Republicans (and the current Governor is an ex-Republican who started his own third party), so Hofschneider is a serious candidate.
Now, maybe I’m going out on a limb here – but I think that Sarah’s best move is to catch the next flight to the islands and campaign at a Hofschneider rally. No – it’s not Virginia, but let’s remember that Palin’s camp said she would “move mountains” if Bob McDonnell wanted her help. Personally, I think that the Northern Mariana’s are no different, and Palin should “move mountains” for Heinz Hofschneider – not just becasue he has the courage to support her but because it would be a brilliant PR move.
Think about what would happen if Palin announced a last minute campaign stop in Saipan to push Hofschneider, and his running mate Arnold Palacios, over the top. First off, it would casue a media circus as the major networks descended on the tiny island capital. If it were close enough to the election, a Palin visit would likely elevate the Northern Marianas election to equal or greater importance (in the media’s eyes) than the races in New Jersey and Virginia, upstaging victories by supposedly anti-Palin Republicans.
Second, it would be the biggest news event in the history of the Northern Marianas, and hence would generate a wave of support among the locals. In this case, when I say that half the island would show up to see Sarah Palin, I literally mean that half of the population of Saipan Island would probably be in attendance. It may be a small island, but there are 62,000 people on that small island, and Palin rallies have been known to draw 20,000 people. Given the historical significance of the event, I would not be at all surprised if Saipan gave Sarah her biggest crowd ever.
Third, considering that mainland heavyweights never show up in the Northern Marianas, Palin would probably do more good for Heinz Hofschneider than she could ever dream of doing for Chris Christie or Bob McDonnell. Heinz would likely win in a rout after attracting Sarah’s attention, and she could legitimately take credit for single-handedly installing him in the Governor’s office. And before you tell me that the Marianas are small potatoes, I would point out their Governor gets the same membership in the National Governor’s Association (an in theory the Republican Governors Association) as any other Governor.
So, while the idea may be a little off-the-wall, I see no reason why Gov. Palin can’t make an appearance in the Northern Marianas, and every reason why she should. Furthermore, if Sarah says that she will “move mountains” for any gubernatorial candidate who wants her to – than I think she has an obligation to move those mountains for the one 2009 gubernatorial candidate who wants those mountains moved.
See you in Saipan, Sarah!
October 14th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
Almost as good as when Cheney flew to Honolulu in 2004.
October 14th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Sarah Palin’s Influence In Perspective:
As Doug Brady said on Conservatives4Palin.com a few weeks back…
When she speaks, people listen
When she doesn’t speak, people wait for her to do so
No other political leader has this power
The statist MSM… and leftist Democrats… and tacking left Republicans… do not attack Sarah Palin because she is attractive, but because they politically fear her attractive influence on voters… so, Palin should go to the Northern Mariana Islands and help a principled Republican.
October 14th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
The Northern Marianas are one of the most corrupt places. I’d not be surprised to see the Democrat candidate “win” now that the money pot in DC is guard by Democrat lobbyists and not Republican ones.
October 14th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
I admire your enthusiams Adam, but I would be surprised if the rest of the country really cared much about it except for the Palin as Celebrity element that you mentioned.
I can’t see hordes of media folks descending on the island just to cover this, but it might happen.
And it would be a good way for Palin to get out a big crowd of people with nothing else to do but hob knob with a celebrity and this time the Palinites can say with honesty that people came out to see Palin instead of giving Palin the credit for a large crowd of people, most of whom would have attended said events whether Palin was there or not.
October 14th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
BRILLIANT!! Of course, first you’ll have to let Sarah know that there IS such a place as the Northern Marianas. Next you’ll have to enlist the services of a competent travel agent, since there aren’t exactly any direct flights from Anchorage to Saipan. It might be worth it just to see Sarah in a sarong.
October 14th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
Well, I’m not sure of the particularities of Northern Marianas politics, but there is also something that hasn’t been noted yet, which maybe another motive for her.
They send delegates to the Republican National Convention just like Puerto Rico and Guam. Maybe she is getting a head start in some unlikely territory? As we saw last time on the Democratic side, a candidate has to go for those small state (or territorial) delegates if they want to win.
October 14th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
Adam, forever and ever I will buy anything you write. Wasn’t your support for Palin for VP considered off the wall in February 2008?
We all owe you so much. The least we can do is support you and your efforts to get your thoughts across.
October 14th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
Does she even know WHERE the Norther Marianas are?
Doubt it.
October 14th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
Yes bob. We owe him for unleasing the most unqualifed person the GOP has ever had in their corner.
Pluezze.
She’s a lower ticket all the way around. She would be better served paying attetion to her grandchildren. And so would we.
October 14th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
tom
October 14th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
#5
For your information Sarah stopped there to meet with the candidate on her way back from HK. There is a picture over at C4P.
And if you are not an Obamatron please stop with the MSM memes about Sarah being an idiot or only a flaky beauty queen; it does not become anybody on our side to use such drivel. We are better than that. We are not mind-numbed robots who will forgive our candidates who think there are 57 American states or who think FDR went on TV in 1929.
October 14th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
#8
And my sentiment in #11 goes for you too. Start acting rationally and not like an Obama drone. You are much smarter than that if you support the Republicans.
October 14th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
“a Palin visit would likely elevate the Northern Marianas election to equal or greater importance (in the media’s eyes) than the races in New Jersey and Virginia, upstaging victories by supposedly anti-Palin Republicans”
This is, to say the least, a stretch.
October 14th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
3- The Marianas are indeed corrupt, but the Dems there are a marginalized force, the competition is between the GOP and the Covenant Party (an ego-trip third party originally founded by the current governor).
4- Every major network would have to send at least one reporter – likely a relatively high-placed political reporter – plus a camera crew.
5 – there aren’t many regualar flights from anywhere to Saipan, thats why we have charter planes.
2- you hit on the biggest reason to go – to help another Republican, and one who is not too scared of lefty attacks to post a photo with her.
13 – may have been an exageration – but the results would be considered a referrendum on Palin and would be reported.
October 14th, 2009 at 10:30 pm
I think Sarah is guided by a higher power and will do what is best. I would like to see a new kind of feminism come out of her popularity. I don’t see any of the current feminists switching over though, they don’t have her brains or energy.
October 15th, 2009 at 2:04 am
#14..Adam, the news networks don’t have to send anybody anywhere if they don’t think it is worth it. If they want to touch on it in a rreport, they can use the AP wires and photos…..much cheaper than a flight to the South Pacific. If there is nobody locally to do the reporting, one AP reporter and a camera crew will probably do.
But first Sarah has to commit to go (not a given) and her team has to get the dates, flights, RSVP response, and all the other ducks lined up correctly, so we’ll see.
It would be a good thing if she could make it down there.
October 15th, 2009 at 6:41 am
Art, and what ‘higher power’ would that be? Oh yes. The almighty dollar!
October 15th, 2009 at 6:55 am
Northern Marianas is looking better all the time. Thanks to global warming (haha) my state is supposed to get snow tonight. I do not think they get much snow in Northern Marianas. Also, if they force ObamaCare on us, can we move to Northern Marianas? On a slightly more serious note, I realize that if Mrs. Palin does enter the race, it will be a difficult 4 way race and she will have to fight delegate for delegate. The few delegates from Northern Marianas will will not hurt Mrs. Palin. Also if we get ObamaCare, we will need somebody like Mrs. Palin to clean the swamp.