The Palin Endorsement - Beware Or Blessing

We have a candidate aiming for our Blue Dog's congressional seat. He has to face one, if not more, primary challengers. He is a decorated war veteran. He has Sarah Palin's endorsement. I wonder if it's a blessing or a curse.

I watched her with interest at a campaign rally for McCain over the week end. She made him look as old and tired as I remember him from the end of the Presidential campaign. She literally took over the stage; had I not known better I would have thought she was the candidate.

She has really embraced her role as spokesperson for everything Tea Party and conservative. The problem is she hasn't learned how to sound anything more than enthusiastically scripted. If I were a candidate receiving her endorsement I'd not dismiss that aspect.

There is a percentage of Republican and Independent voters who do not think Mrs. Palin lives up to her hype. Include me. I'm wondering if her current celebrity as a FOX News contributor and keynote speaker at Tea Party events might diminish her credibility as an endorser of candidates. As a cheer leader she is unsurpassable. As a critic of qualifications, I'm not so sure.

As popular as she is, if I were a candidate I would not seek nor necessarily reject her endorsement. Her word will be enough for many. During this election cycle, however, we need look for more than flash. Being a war veteran does not qualify nor disqualify one for office. When Palin tells us said candidate "knows that real job growth comes from the private sector, not government" she could be talking about every Republican candidate in the country. It's what Republicans believe. No. I need more than that.

The era of sound bite qualifications is over for this voter. I need to hear hows and whys. On that basis I'll probably stick with our Blue Dog. I know we have differences on issues; I also know he has business experience and the fortitude to go against his party when he thinks they are wrong.

I could change my mind but his challengers are going to have to show some depth of understanding, present not only solutions but also show how to implement them. No small task.

I have seen neither from Mrs. Palin which indicates to me her opinion of a candidate is meaningless.