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These are heady days for Sarah Palin, who is wielding considerable clout within the Republican Party in the run-up to Nov. 2 U.S. congressional elections.The conservative, self-styled "mama grizzly" from Alaska, who loves to pick a fight with Democrats and the news media, is branding herself as a national leader of a Republican Party that currently lacks one.Will she run for U.S. president in 2012? Her supporters would love her to do so, but until she announces a decision, Palin is promoting conservative political allies in the race for seats in the midterm vote.Consider the case of Karen Handel. She is among Republicans running for the party's nomination to become the next governor of the state of Georgia.Palin, the former Alaska governor who was the Republican vice presidential nominee in 2008, endorsed Handel with a Facebook posting. Then she recorded a "robo-call" telephone message for her that was called out to Georgia voters.Palin never set foot in Georgia. But the effort she made catapulted Handel, who had been trailing opponent Nathan Deal before the July 12 endorsement. Handel won the most votes in Tuesday's election and faces Deal in an Aug. 10 runoff.Palin's endorsement of Nikki Haley in South Carolina's Republican primary for governor had a similar outcome. Haley overcame charges of marital infidelity to win the nomination."Governor Palin's decision to get involved -- and stay involved - in the race here was a huge boon to our campaign," said Haley spokesman Rob Godfrey.These political favors doled out by Palin may mean that she will come calling for their support one of these days."She's certainly picking up some IOUs," said Merle Black, a political science professor at Emory University in Atlanta.She offers slashing opinions on Fox News Channel, Twitter and Facebook, and is following up last year's best-selling memoir with a second book, this one about "faith, family and patriotism." Palin is making a fortune and is much in demand as a speaker and ally to candidates, often from the conservative Tea Party movement that backs small government and low taxes.A polarizing figure in American politics, Palin is beloved by conservatives as a fighter willing to stand up to President Barack Obama and the Democrats.Liberals dislike her because she promotes Republican policies they believe have been harmful, such as tax cuts and increased offshore oil drilling.Various groups have sprouted up in support of her, such as "Conservatives 4 Palin," which met in San Diego last weekend."From now until November when they say 'yes we can,' we need to stand up, stand together, and we need to say 'oh no you don't,'" Palin said in a speech she telephoned in to them.BREEZES OFF CRITICISMPalin's critics are legion. They gleefully attacked her use of the non-word "refudiate" on her Twitter feed when she used it to urge Muslims to oppose the building of a mosque near the site of the World Trade Center towers destroyed on Sept. 11, 2001.When Palin responded that Shakespeare made up words all the time, a flood of critical tweets followed based loosely on the Bard's style of language."Would that she was but as the cuckoo is in June, /Heard but not regarded," was one such comment.Palin breezily brushes off such criticism while frequently blasting the mainstream news media -- "the lamestream media" -- which she believes is hopelessly in love with the left.Dana Perino, who was press secretary for Republican President George W. Bush, said Palin has been willing to "take lots of arrows from all sides, while not backing or quieting down as some would like.""This has a special appeal to many people who feel their voices aren't heard -- she can channel their frustration for them and just drive her opponents crazy. It makes them nuts that she is so cheerful -- they'd prefer her to be miserable," Perino said.The questions Palin, 46, will face once the Nov. 2 elections are over are: Will she run for president? Or will she promote her conservative beliefs without exposing herself and her family to the stresses of campaigning?"I see her running for president and I see her not running for president," said Chip Saltsman, who was campaign manager of Mike Huckabee's race for the Republican nomination in 2008.Saltsman said a decision to run is not easy. He cited two examples:Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor, decided to do it despite having little money or organization. On the other hand, former Tennessee Senator Bill Frist opted against a run even though he had an organization, endorsements and money lined up."Ultimately this decision is the most personal decision you can make," Saltsman said.Charlie Black, who saw a lot of Palin as a senior adviser to John McCain's 2008 campaign, said he could certainly see a scenario in which Palin won the Republican presidential nomination in 2012 for the right to face Obama.Republicans are expected to select a candidate from a crowded field, possibly including such names as former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty."She continues to draw crowds, including from people beyond the Republican base. I know she's controversial but she's got quite a following. I don't have a clue whether she will run, but if she did she's going to be competitive," Black said.(Editing by Mohammad Zargham)
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