by publius
Why is Sarah Palin in Iowa today?
(I'm not implying this is part of the new "rogue" 2012 strategy. Presumably, her stops are determined by McCain Central. But it just seems odd -- it's not like there's a competitive Senate race there or anything).
Because campaigning in Iowa is the Mavericky thing to do? You betcha!
Posted by: Turbulence | October 25, 2008 at 03:57 PM
Keepin' out of trouble, I reckon.
Posted by: idlemind | October 25, 2008 at 04:00 PM
To congratulate Senate candidate Christopher Reed on his debate performance, and agree with him wholeheartedly?
Less snarkily, will Reed be at the event? Have other Republicans been asked for comment on his outburst?
Posted by: Warren Terra | October 25, 2008 at 04:03 PM
You are not the only one who wonders:
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20081025/NEWS09/810250332
The Des Moines Register and GOP strategists ponder the same thing.
Even if IA is closer than the polls show, wouldn't it be worth spending your time strengthening big states with lots of electoral college votes that are very tight ?
Posted by: Benjamin | October 25, 2008 at 04:06 PM
I blame the airport hub system.
Posted by: ThatLeftTurnInABQ | October 25, 2008 at 04:11 PM
I wrote a post yesterday on my blog about this very subject - bloggers and pundits trying to discern why the McCain campaign is doing ____. Here's what I said, I think it applies to your question today Publius...
Maybe it's time to stop trying to decipher McCain's campaign strategy and instead consider the possibility that they have no strategy. From leaking that you are bailing on Colorado while at the same time scheduling events in Colorado while at the same time reducing ad buys in Colorado to focusing on a hopeless state like Pennsylvania to bailing on Iowa and then returning to Iowa.
The McCain campaign is in utter dissaray. There's no grand strategic explanation for all of their starts, stops and stutters. Stop looking for a strategy, stop trying to read the tea leaves. The McCain campaign has been an undisciplined and unfocused mess for months and we're now witnessing a rudderless ship haplessly trying to avoid the looming iceberg.
Posted by: Steve Balboni | October 25, 2008 at 04:11 PM
Steve, I'm absolutely willing to believe that the McCain campaign has no strategy, but they have got some sense of tactics - and an Iowa stop doesn't make any sense even on any tactical level. I don't see the conceivable short-term gain for the Republican Presidential ticket or for their congressional candidates. About the only person who might benefit is Palin for 2012, but that only works if she's not accused of undermining her own ticket.
Posted by: Warren Terra | October 25, 2008 at 04:20 PM
About the only person who might benefit is Palin for 2012
ding ding ding! My bet: the people who scheduled this are positioning themselves in the Palin camp. One aspect of Palin being so Alaska-parochial is that she doesn't *know* all that many Republican operatives in the lower 48. The people who are part of her VP team (or can maneouver themselves to be helpful to that team) are best-placed to be her advisors over the next few years.
After so many years of Democratic circular firing squads, it's schadenfreunde-ly wonderful to see Republicans doing it so well.
Posted by: Doctor Science | October 25, 2008 at 04:33 PM
Why is Sarah Palin in Iowa today?
Duh, who wouldn't want to be in Iowa?
Posted by: Ugh | October 25, 2008 at 04:43 PM
Sullivan posts this which may explain just how much this is all about 2012. Of course, if she does become the nominee in 2012 the Dems may actually win all 50 states.
Posted by: john miller | October 25, 2008 at 04:57 PM
Seems strange, but I can't believe that a visit in Iowa will do much for 2012.
There will be no 2012 anyway. As long as the Republican establishment has to support Palin or the ticket dies, they will support Palin. But the absurdity ends November 5 and the Republican establishment will not take her seriously thereafter.
Posted by: mike | October 25, 2008 at 05:02 PM
CNN...
A second McCain source tells CNN she appears to now be looking out for herself more than the McCain campaign.
“She is a diva. She takes no advice from anyone,” said this McCain adviser, “she does not have any relationships of trust with any of us, her family or anyone else. Also she is playing for her own future and sees herself as the next leader of the party. Remember: divas trust only unto themselves as they see themselves as the beginning and end of all wisdom.”
Posted by: cleek | October 25, 2008 at 05:10 PM
(my last comment is the same link john miller posted, a few comments previous to mine)
Posted by: cleek | October 25, 2008 at 05:11 PM
Is "diva" Italian for "maverick"?
Posted by: Gromit | October 25, 2008 at 05:19 PM
About the only person who might benefit is Palin for 2012
Man! You guys all beat me to it.
I'm tempted to say that I'd like to see her as the 2012 nominee (because President Obama* would wipe the floor with her), but considering what an incendiary, ugly, and downright dangerous campaign they've been running and how much she relishes it, I'm not so sure. An easy reelection isn't worth having the crazies incited to violence.
*-Knock on wood, but I absolutely LOVE the sound of that.
Posted by: MeDrewNotYou | October 25, 2008 at 05:22 PM
Funny, the first couple times I read this post I read it as the "rouge 2012 strategy." I'm thinking: She's got the clothes; what next, $150-grand for make-up?
Posted by: xanax | October 25, 2008 at 05:32 PM
It's possible, though I'll admit unlikely, that the top people in McCain's campaign have decided to hit back at their uncooperative VP pick and have decided that if she wants to go rogue, she'll have to do it in places that are already out of play, where no matter what happens on Nov. 4, it can be spun as a "she didn't do us any good" story. The winner in the post-campaign meltdown will be the group that can seize the narrative, and Palin's not a shoo-in for that part just yet.
Posted by: Incertus | October 25, 2008 at 05:34 PM
Duh, who wouldn't want to be in Iowa?
I sure would! That would mean I wouldn't be in Norway and I would be staying at my dad's swank house with the 60 inch tv. Instead of watching the eighth inch of rain in the last 4 days blow past my window.
Posted by: Platosearwax | October 25, 2008 at 05:39 PM
Maybe she just saw the Music Man for the first time and decided she ought to give Iowa a try.
Posted by: ral | October 25, 2008 at 05:47 PM
"the new "rogue" 2012 strategy."
She's a rogue (running) mate!
Posted by: Dan S. | October 25, 2008 at 05:57 PM
I just received a robocall from the RNC inviting me to the Penn State campus on 10/28 for a joint appearance by Sarah Palin and Hank Williams Jr. (What's he running for?). So why is Sarah Palin going to be in PA five days before the election?
Posted by: Bellwetherman | October 25, 2008 at 06:21 PM
It's not necessarily about 2012. According to Chuck Todd, the McCain camp is looking at Pennsylvania and Iowa still because the average voter there is older and more likely to move.
Posted by: natthedem | October 25, 2008 at 06:24 PM
"I don't see the conceivable short-term gain for the Republican Presidential ticket or for their congressional candidates."
One could take the Des Moines Register story at face value:
So Ockham suggests that, likely or not, dumb or not, that's what they believe."But the absurdity ends November 5 and the Republican establishment will not take her seriously thereafter."
That is so so wrong.
Posted by: Gary Farber | October 25, 2008 at 07:24 PM
"Instead of watching the eighth inch of rain in the last 4 days blow past my window."
I'll trade you for a windowless tiny attic room on the second floor, when one has a broken foot.
So there.
"...for a joint appearance by Sarah Palin and Hank Williams Jr. (What's he running for?)."
Hey, I've been invited to campaign events with James Taylor, and to events with... tv actors, and other singers. They're "surrogates" and people who can attract crowds.
And the McCain/Palin campaign has notably had slim pickin's in finding entertainers who support them. (Everyone has seen these guys, right?)
Posted by: Gary Farber | October 25, 2008 at 07:30 PM
"So why is Sarah Palin going to be in PA five days before the election?"
Oh, and they're desperately trying to win Pennsylvania, because, well, they're desperate.
And they do stand a chance.
Posted by: Gary Farber | October 25, 2008 at 07:32 PM
I just received a robocall from the RNC inviting me to the Penn State campus
i just got one inviting me to a McCain victory party.
Posted by: cleek | October 25, 2008 at 08:05 PM
And the McCain/Palin campaign has notably had slim pickin's in finding entertainers who support them.
Slim Pickens!?! I knew they were desperate, but digging up dead guys. Though I can imagine him saying:
"What in the Wide Wide World of Sports is a-goin' on here?! I hired you people to try to run a campaign, not to jump around like a bunch of Kansas City faggots!" (link)
Posted by: liberal japonicus | October 25, 2008 at 08:46 PM
what next, $150-grand for make-up?
AFAIK, she's only spent around $22,800 for makeup so far, but her campaign is young...
Posted by: Anarch | October 25, 2008 at 08:55 PM
Gary- I loved the Ron Howard video, despite it being a bit creepy seeing him go from a baldish guy with a beard to Opie. A little weird, but a great ad nonetheless.
If he could have gotten Andy Griffith to do a Matlock bit, he'd have the Grandpa Simpson demographic sewn up.
"We love you Ma-atlock! Oh yes we do!"
Posted by: MeDrewNotYou | October 25, 2008 at 09:08 PM
I used to have a life. I drew, made ceramic sculptures, visted frineds, went for walks on the beach, tended my garden, walked dogs at the shelter. Now except for waking the dogs I do nothing except read blogs. Obsessively.
If McCAin wins I am dead serious Paul and I will sell our house and move to Canada. And it isn't like state level Republicans aren't trying their best to game the system to their advantage. The Sec of State in Colorado is trying to enforce a double standard on ballots there--nit pick gthe ones form certain areas, not be too careful with others. The D of J had lawyers in Ohio now and I don't think they are there to prevent fraud.
I keep reminding myself that the McCain campaign people are acting like they expect to lose--and, if a camapign was planning to cheat to win they would also be pushing a winnerr's narrative. After all cheating doesn't work if it is too obvious. In order to win this the Republicans will have to surpress lots and lots and lots of votes in several states. No plausible deniability. At least that's what i keep telling myslef.
meanwhie I have no life. I probably wouldn't even walk dogs except that they need me.
I'll be so damn glad when it is over.
Posted by: wonkie | October 25, 2008 at 09:18 PM
I suspect the McCain people want to keep Palin away from the television cameras. The more American TV viewers see of Palin, the more worried they become that she is not qualified to be President. They are happy to send her to states that aren't that important, in the hope that she won't attract much attention. Americans know very little about her, and apparently even the McCain campaign knows very little about her. She is starting to "go rogue" on them and do her own thing on the campaign trail. I think they just want her out of the way.
Posted by: Ming | October 25, 2008 at 10:42 PM
A second McCain source tells CNN she appears to now be looking out for herself more than the McCain campaign.
Loverly.
Of course McCain's people aren't on the firmest of ground in making this criticism - the comeback "it takes one to know one" is almost too obvious.
The post-election mudslinging is going to be fun to watch. I don't remember there being this much acrimony in the GOP after the 1992 elections, and we aren't even done yet.
Posted by: ThatLeftTurnInABQ | October 26, 2008 at 12:15 AM
what next, $150-grand for make-up?
AFAIK, she's only spent around $22,800 for makeup so far, but her campaign is young...
But, she'll be 48 by then. Then it will take a bit more lipstick for her to look so purty.
Posted by: LKSB | October 26, 2008 at 02:08 AM