Sarah Palin Prepares for a Political Comeback.

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (Kris Connor/Getty Images)

Editorial Staff - April 20, 2022

14-years after leaving the political spotlight, former Alaska Gov. and 2008 Republican vice-presidential nominee (along side John McCain) Sarah Palin announced that she's wading back into the political waters with a run in the special election for Alaska's sole seat in the U.S. House of Representatives – and her timing may be just right.

During her last campaign for office, Palin was mercilessly hammered by the press and ridiculed by Saturday Night Live. In one of the SNL skits it was claimed that she said, "I can see Russia from my house!" Even though this comment had become a mainstream TV truth that Palin actually said this, she didn't. But, it was good for a laugh in the political sattire I guess.

Lawyer, political analyst, and pollster Matt Towery told Newsmax this was an unfair characterization of Palin stating, "I think Sarah Palin is viewed by most Republicans as more a victim and a hero than a failed vice-presidential nominee," "That's been a legacy mainstream story that they've beaten to death over the years, to suggest that she somehow pulled down McCain. I think now, in retrospect, people believe she was the only thing positive about that campaign."

Ford O'Connell a lawyer, businessman, and GOP strategist doesn't see Palin's 14 years out of public service as being detrimental to her chances. He is quoted as saying, "I don't think that's a factor for her at all," he told Newsmax. "She was always a raw political talent, but I think she was placed into the national spotlight a little too soon. And as a result, because of differences between her and the McCain team, I think she believed her brand was more powerful than it was at the time. But now she's been given a second life."

In our opinion Palin was smart to wait more than a decade before getting back into the political arena. Allowing the old political wounds to be erased after being dumped on by both the press and McCain aides.

Some might even say that her decision to take a back seat for over a decade showed poise and startegic patience on her part.

Although some might believe that in politics, there never is a 'right time. O'Connell commented further, "do you see a window of opportunity where you can offer your services? That window can come at 25, it can come at 75."

Well it seems that window was opened back up for Palin, now 58 years old, with the death of Don Young, a Republican congressman who had served the people of Alaska since 1973. She'd evidently been considering a return to politics for more than three years, however.

In October 2018, when Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Ala., crossed party lines and voted against the confirmation of former President Donald Trump's nominee Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, Palin used the old SNL line to her advantage, tweeting: "Hey @LisaMurkowski – I can see 2022 from my house…"

That would have led many to believe that her original plan was to challenge Murkowski in a primary. However Young's death created a new opening and apparently prompted her to switch gears.

Both Towery and O'Connell agree that Palin may have an easier time with her current race. Challenging Murkowski in a primary battle would have been iffy, and the House may, in fact, be a better fit for her.

O'Connell said that both Palin and the GOP would benefit from her House membership.

"She has the ability to really help the Republican Party drive messages," he said, before projecting Palin's potential role in battling a popular group of House progressives. "And, in a lot of ways, she can be a powerful push-back to the Squad."

Towery said that, "Alaska has always proven to be a state where name and personality trumps party identification and political philosophy," he said. "So, you have a range of people, from Palin to Murkowski, as well as a high percentage of independents in Alaska, who tend to vote Republican."

Although Palin has strong name recognition as the state's former governor and her 2008 cameo on the national stage, Murkowski's name harkens back to her father, who held the same Senate seat she now holds and served as Alaska's governor.

Of course her congressional run won't be a cakewalk, either. One of obstacles facing Palin in her bid for the congressional seat is Alaska's new two-tier, shotgun voting system, one which has attracted no fewer than 51 candidates who want to fill Young's House seat. A primary will be held on June 11, with the top four vote-getters advancing. The general election will then take place on Aug. 16.

Taking that all into consideration Towery when asked to make a prediction, stated that he believes that Palin "will probably come in first place in the initial round, but then when you get to the nonsense involved in the ranking of the final four candidates, it'll probably be a tight race." As for the second part, he said: "I think that the rise in the national popularity of Republicans because of the terrible ratings for Biden and the realization by the Democratic National Committee that Democrats are facing a major collapse in the midterms will work to her benefit. She will be viewed as the symbol of the anti-Biden world. And I think, for that reason, she probably has the best chance of emerging victorious."

O'Connell agrees that Palin has an anti-Biden image and observed that she got an additional bump "because of the Trump endorsement," adding that "she was one of the first to endorse Trump, as well. "In terms of pushing an 'America First' agenda, which she's clearly on board with and, really, some people could argue, was one of the original adherents to it long before people really knew what it was, I think that she's found a position that would help best utilize her talents," he said.

When Palin ran with McCain in 2008, she strongly supported an "all of the above" energy policy that included domestic fossil fuel production, including hydrocarbons extracted from Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. She was mocked by some for that stance, as well as her claim that the Affordable Care Act, popularly called Obamacare, provided for government "death panels" that would determine who receives and who will be denied healthcare.

She was awarded PolitiFact's "Lie of the Year" in 2009 for coining the phrase "death panels" – but as the system denies more and more claims, the term is coming back into style within some circles.

Towery agrees that the Trump connection will be an asset, as well. "I think with the most likely Republican voter, which is the Trump profile vote, she does extremely well," he said. "I would be optimistic if I were a supporter of Palin about the chances of her being elected to Congress." And once there, O'Connell believes she'll be a huge asset. "I think she is going to bring a lot of value to the party, particularly in Congress because of her ability to shine in this cable TV, social media era of politics," he said. "Her real strength is her ability to communicate and drive messages."

So what are your thoghts on the Palin congressional run, why not leave your comments below, we love to hear from our readers.