COMMENTARY | The pile on Newt Gingrich by the Republican establishment, as well as some conservative writers, has drawn the ire of Sarah Palin, who decried the attacks of "Cannibals in GOP Establishment" in a recent Facebook post.
Palin has not formally endorsed Gingrich, though she did offer him support in the South Carolina primary. Palin's rebuke is not so much a defense of Gingrich than it is an assertion of tea party power and ideas, which she believes should be the driving force in the effort to replace President Barack Obama. Right now, Gingrich represents the best expression of the tea party approach.
Palin is also continuing her strategy of making sure the primary contest does not end too soon, on the theory that whoever comes out the nominee, Mitt Romney or Gingrich, will be the stronger for having competed.
Palin's expression of support might be too late to save Gingrich in Florida. The Real Clear Politics average has Romney ahead comfortably. But Gingrich is still ahead in the national polls, according to RCP.
Palin has again shown a certain adroitness that most of her critics cannot credit. If she can single handedly keep the Republican primary process going, she will have solidified her status as a Republican "gray eminence," albeit not a member of holy orders. If Gingrich is the nominee, he will be beholden to her. If Romney is the nominee, then he will be obliged to appease her to gain the support of tea party conservatives he will need to win the general election.
How that influence will redound to Palin's benefit is unknown. Gingrich has hinted she might be in line for the vice presidency or a Cabinet post in his potential administration. Romney would be advised to keep her in mind for some office of trust as well. He will also have to have her blessing where it concerns his positions and his future plans as president.
A lot of people were disappointed when Palin chose not to run. But it looks like she knew what she was doing. As a presidential candidate, she would have been just one among many. As Sarah Palin, private citizen, she is the Mama Grizzly, to be courted and appeased and to be crossed at ones peril.
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