Too weird to check: Palin advisor wanted her to donate to … Hillary?
posted at 9:31 am on May 19, 2009 by Allahpundit
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The “Palin advisor” in question being John Coale, husband of — ta da — Greta Van Susteren, the ‘Cuda’s media megaphone of choice. The basic idea ain’t half bad: Coale’s a PUMA turned Sarah fan (we blogged about him during the campaign) who’s known the Clintons for years and thought it would help Palin’s image to make her chummy with Hillary. Once she received a benediction from the left’s new feminist pope, he doubtless figured, it’d be that much harder for the media to attack her as a right-wing nut or less than fully authentic woman. Hence the idea of a goodwill gesture via SarahPAC, in which money donated to Palin by thousands of rock-ribbed Republicans would suddenly be redirected to … Hillary Clinton?
[Palin] expressed concern to aides about Coale’s request that weekend and a few days later directed Meg Stapleton, an Alaska-based campaign aide, to tell Coale that she would not help retire Clinton’s debt.
“While we appreciate your efforts and recognize that a friendship with the Clintons is appropriate, the governor believes (and I concur) that using SarahPAC to pay down Hillary’s debt is not a prudent use of the money,” Stapleton wrote to Coale in a Feb. 17 e-mail, a few days after he made his pitch to the governor. “Contributors who chose between heating their homes and sending in a contribution because they believe in Sarah would be crushed.”…
“He thought the Clintons could rein in some of the Democratic firepower aimed at her,” said a dumbfounded Republican privy to the discussion who advocated fiercely against the idea…
Coale conceded that he urged Palin and her advisers to consider helping Clinton, but he said it was part of a larger campaign to align the Alaska governor with prominent women in politics, including Republicans Meg Whitman and Carly Fiorina, both of whom are prospects for elective office in California.
Again, a good idea in theory. It’s women voters with whom Palin has the most trouble, not men; assuming Whitman and Fiorina want her help, she should make herself fully available to fundraise for them. The problem was the idea of using conservative donations for outreach to the left, a betrayal not even Maverick has stooped to (I think). Palin could have made a donation to Hillary out of her own bank account, of course, but that presents a problem too. How do you convince grassroots Republicans to donate to your legal defense fund because you’re in dire financial straits while you’re cutting thousand-dollar checks to Hillary Clinton?
Believe it or not, the most important part of this story isn’t the Hillary scoop but the stuff near the end about how desperately Sarahcuda needs help managing her new national profile. This is what I meant the other day when I said it bodes ill that so many party insiders seem to have given up on her; some of you sneered at me for that but it helps to have practiced hands on your team who know how to deal with this sort of thing. What happened to Fred Barnes and Bill Kristol and all the other GOP bigwigs whom she charmed before she was named VP? No help for Sarah from Alaska now when she needs it?
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Identity politics! Hurray for America!
Glad she said no.
mankai on May 19, 2009 at 9:33 AM
Hasn’t Bill raked in something like 100 million since leaving the Presidency? That debt could have been paid off months ago.
BadgerHawk on May 19, 2009 at 9:33 AM
Prediction:
“advisor” part of headline removed by MSNBC, CNN, reported as “crazy palin news” in 5, 4, 3….
battleoflepanto1571 on May 19, 2009 at 9:33 AM
I really, really like Palin, but the realist in me recognizes that the media has done so much damage to her profile she’d need to play 100% mistake free ball between now and 2012. It just seems too impossible a task.
BadgerHawk on May 19, 2009 at 9:35 AM
First, I believe it. Second, this shows how corrupt our system really is. They are all in bed together stealing whatever they can get away with from the people. They are destroying the country like an insidious cancer spreading to every part of the body, slowly, inexorably. It’s going to take a major disaster to cure it.
TheBigOldDog on May 19, 2009 at 9:37 AM
That’s gotta be one of the dumbest ideas ever.
Yeah, use conservative money to pay down Clinton’s debt? Come on Greta’s hubby
therightwinger on May 19, 2009 at 9:38 AM
Didn’t someone debunk this story on this thread last night? Greta addressed it on her show saying this was all rumor or something?
PrincipledPilgrim on May 19, 2009 at 9:38 AM
I think if she asked for their help, they would be there by her side. I’m just not sure she is running in 2012.
deidre on May 19, 2009 at 9:38 AM
Clinton may have made $100 million since leaving office, but you don’t think liberals pay their own bills, do you? That is the job of the middle class in order to provide the entitlements for their masters.
volsense on May 19, 2009 at 9:39 AM
As far as I can remember, Hillary never really commented on Palin one way or another, so it’d not really be a betrayal.
Of course, the money was donated by conservatives for their conservative popess, not the liberal one, and giving that money to Hillary would do more to destroy her than the media could.
amkun on May 19, 2009 at 9:43 AM
National profile or not, I don’t think Palin should be asking for direction from DC insiders this far out from 2012, even if she is planning on running. It is part of her appeal.
Plus, she is probably still aghast at what national handlers were advising her to do, say and wear just a few months ago.
Palin seems to be trying to keep a low profile while choosing when and where she feels comfortable speaking out. Seems like the right thing to do right now.
myrenovations on May 19, 2009 at 9:45 AM
This would have been the stupidest thing ever. Gov. Palin would have never gotten another dime from conservatives.
mchristian on May 19, 2009 at 9:47 AM
It’s like Charles Johnson sending traffic to JihadWatch and Robert Spencer.
blatantblue on May 19, 2009 at 9:48 AM
Greta has a hubby? Beta male extreme.
txsurveyor on May 19, 2009 at 9:49 AM
No, Allah, the most important part of this story is that Sarah knew it would be a betrayal to those who donated to her PAC if she were to use that money to help pay off Hillary Clinton’s debt. Sarah Palin is no fool and she knows exactly who supports her. As someone who has given multiple times to her PAC, I would have been vey unhappy to learn my hard-earned money went to a lefty politician like Hillary Clinton. Sarah’s instincts were right on the money here.
Redneck Woman on May 19, 2009 at 9:50 AM
Oh, to be a Washington insider and get paid to come up with genius ideas like this!
Meg’s statement says it all about Sarah Palin – she may be the last honest person in politics.
“…the supporters would be crushed.” Not this will cost us XYZ dollars in donations, they would be crushed on a personal, emotional, level.
She’s willing to be cordial and give respect to a noted figure, but she’s not going to play the game for anyone. She says what she says and means what she says.
So, the question is this. What political insider would be willing to work for Sarah when she doesn’t even accept the premise of the good old boy game.
Nat Hound on May 19, 2009 at 9:51 AM
The idea and intentions behind his plan were okay, but it’s a dumb idea to use her PAC money for this. If Sarah Palin wants to help pay down Hillary’s debt, she can use her own money. That will seem much more personal and it can still foster that goodwill that Coale seems to think it will forge.
But her instincts were correct about NOT using the PAC money. I donate to that and I wouldn’t be too happy knowing she used it to pay Hillary’s debt. I would have no problem if Sarah used her book deal money to help Hillary, though.
yogi41 on May 19, 2009 at 9:51 AM
This is much ado about nothing. Advisor asks candidate/elected official to do something “out-of-the-box” to achieve some mythical political advantage. Candidate/elected official wonders what advisor is smoking and says no.
This happens hundreds of times a day across America’s political landscape.
Screw POLITICO, and the PT Barnum-style hype men who run it.
Robert_Paulson on May 19, 2009 at 9:53 AM
The less the party insiders like her, the more appealing she becomes. The last thing we need right now are candidates approved by the inside the Beltway crowd.
And for the last time, the 2012 election will be a referendum on Obama. If he’s successful, it doesn’t matter if the GOP reanimates Reagan and Lincoln and puts them on the ticket together. If he fails, then the party would be wise to nominate a true conservative who can motivate people to show up at the polls. And Palin would do just fine in that regard.
Doughboy on May 19, 2009 at 9:55 AM
What happened to Fred Barnes and Bill Kristol and all the other GOP bigwigs whom she charmed before she was named VP? No help for Sarah from Alaska now when she needs it?
Uh well there isn’t another Presidential election till 2012. Do you want her to start campaigning for President now? Okay who else on the Republican side has hit the campaign trail her rivals? This is typical she has to be held to a different standard…identity politics indeed.
Dr Evil on May 19, 2009 at 9:55 AM
What good will would $5,000 buy and with whom, anyway? You think Carville would back down for 5 grand? In any event, the Clintons don’t control the really dirty parts of the Dem machine anymore – Axe, Emanuel, and Chicago Machine own it lock stock and barrel.
Carville has his own franchise to think about, and he’s certainly not going to take it easy on Sarah because his former boss’ wife got a donation from her.
Nat Hound on May 19, 2009 at 9:57 AM
BadgerHawk on May 19, 2009 at 9:33 AM
Campaign finance laws are messed up enough that a wealthy candidate cannot use his or her own money to pay off his campaign debt (neither can he or she resolicit maxed-out donors). For more on this google to find out when former Ohio Senator John Glenn paid off the debt from his 1984 Presidential Campaign.
Robert_Paulson on May 19, 2009 at 9:58 AM
Palling around with Greta Van Susteren isn’t helping Palin’s image any. Greta only ranks one small step above Geraldo when it comes to the cheesiness/ickiness factor.
JA on May 19, 2009 at 9:58 AM
This is what I meant the other day when I said it bodes ill that so many party insiders seem to have given up on her
The GOP party insiders are going to get a full-frontal view of “bodes ill” if they continue to support wet noodle RINO’s instead of listening to a clamoring base who are upset about such choices.
Bishop on May 19, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Some people perform best with their backs against the wall.
blatantblue on May 19, 2009 at 10:00 AM
If this story is true, and I am somewhat hesitant to believe it, it shows even more character on Palin’s part.
Greta is her biggest media cheerleader. When pretty high school girls aren’t missing, Greta’s whole television purpose is to boost Palin.
Other politicans might fear losing their one great media outlet by refusing such a favor.
Palin did it anyway… allegedly.
myrenovations on May 19, 2009 at 10:01 AM
Plus, I doubt Carville takes direction from the Clintons anymore. I’m certain he’s on Obama’s payroll now, and there is no way Obama will ever tone down the attacks on Palin. That part of the “plan” was hard to believe….
But, I can see how Coale thought that a perceived friendship would help with the women and men who like Hillary. If they saw Sarah helping her with her debt, they may be more open to taking a second look at her.
And considering Obama promised to help pay off Hillary’s debt and didn’t come through, that could benefit Sarah even more.
But as I stated above, in no way should she use the PAC money for this venture.
yogi41 on May 19, 2009 at 10:02 AM
Unless I missed something, that implication comes from Mr. Greta, who seems a bit conflicted and illogical if you ask me. Never trust a Scientologist, Sarah.
Akzed on May 19, 2009 at 10:03 AM
Greta and her husband are going to destroy Palin’s image with those stupid home interviews. She needs a political mentor and confidante, like a Dick Morris / Axelrod type.
marklmail on May 19, 2009 at 10:09 AM
Coale was two steps behind the play – the PUMA thing has passed now that Hillary is in the O-ministration.
The logic behind this is not clear. He wants Hillary supporters to support Sarah, when Hillary herself is working for Obama and a vote for Sarah is, essentially, a vote to remove Hillary from the position of SOS.
So how does this make sense again?
Nat Hound on May 19, 2009 at 10:22 AM
Never trust a Scientologist, Sarah.
Akzed on May 19, 2009 at 10:03 AM
That’s completely unnecessary. You don’t need to attack his beliefs, that’s between him and God
youngO on May 19, 2009 at 10:31 AM
This story says more about Greta’s husband then it does about Palin and Clinton, both of whom wisely knew to stay away from that mess.
YYZ on May 19, 2009 at 10:33 AM
thomasaur on May 19, 2009 at 10:37 AM
Like him or hate him, He is good at what he does: Dick Morris
He was on BOR show the day Bristol’s taking up the ambassadorship and seemed to know about it before it happened. Also the statements about Gov. Palin’s recent travel plans sounded different than they did before. The NYC and DC trips were not confirmed until the last moment. She did not go because of flooding. The point is something has changed in her approach as of late. I think she is getting indirect advise now and it is showing.
Clyde5445 on May 19, 2009 at 10:40 AM
The problem is the Washington insiders that are just too beholden to the status quo.
Drain the swamp, I laughed when Pelosi said it, because she just meant replacing slimy Republican status quo with even slimier DemocRats.
We’re all DOOMED.
kirkill on May 19, 2009 at 10:52 AM
For Sarah Palin to help Hillary pay down her campaign debt is absolutely stupid. Bill Clinton has made millions on speeches, and both Clintons have written best-selling books–they have more than enough money to pay off her campaign debt–they don’t need help from Palin or her supporters!
It does seem like Greta Van Susteren greatly admires Sarah Palin, and is frequently doing very favorable reports on her, but Palin doesn’t need to taint her image with money to Hillary! But Greta’s overall reporting style seems to be shifting lately–she seems to be all over Pelosi’s problems with the CIA, and harshly critical of over-spending by the Obama Administration. Her reporting lately seems to be more political than focused on criminal cases, and she seems to be drifting to the right in general, not just pro-Palin. Maybe Greta has been slowly Hannitized, which is a GOOD thing, but Sarah Palin doesn’t need to “bribe” Greta with contributions to Hillary!
Hillary is a big girl, and can take care of herself.
Steve Z on May 19, 2009 at 11:00 AM
mchristian on May 19, 2009 at 11:00 AM
Consider this. I read many of the pro-Hillary blogs out there, and many are still upset that she’s even in his administration. They support Hillary, but don’t like her helping out Obama. Surprising, too, there is a lot of good feeling towards Sarah Palin on those blogs. They admit they don’t agree with any of her policies, but they think she’s genuine and they trust her with the country more so than Obama.
So, yeah, a donation towards her debt would go far with Hillary supporters. Again, not from the PAC, but from her own pocket. I think she’d see that Hillary supporters would generously donate back to SarahPAC if they saw that kind of goodwill.
I think that’s what Coale was thinking…. he knows that there’s still a lot of gruntled Hillary supporters out there, and a donation from Sarah would return itself 100 fold.
For me, personally, I say no way in using the PAC money. If she decides to help her out from her personal wealth, then that’s a nice gesture. I know they both went through hell this last campaign and perhaps that shared experience does override party politics.
yogi41 on May 19, 2009 at 11:13 AM
Nope.
The party bigwigs are perfectly cognizant that Palin can’t win.
So they have cut her loose.
Sadly for them…..the base gets to choose.
She will be the nominee, she is already signalling.
That is why Huntsman got out of Dodge until 2014 or so.
strangelet on May 19, 2009 at 11:15 AM
Since you want to go back to “She’s in Seventh place among party insiders!!” I’ll import my question from that thread:
So, Charlie & Greg Crist, Jon Weaver, etc. don’t think she’s tops? Oookay.
cs89 on May 19, 2009 at 11:18 AM
She isn’t signaling her intentions on anything you idiot… She is just keeping her options open.
http://twitter.com/AKGovSarahPalin
TimeTraveler on May 19, 2009 at 11:21 AM
Remember that political “advisors” tend to be nomadic mercenaries (e.g. Ed Rollins, David Gergen) whose unwavering loyalty lasts until the check clears and usually not a second longer.
viking01 on May 19, 2009 at 11:28 AM
Someone who’s not so much of an “adviser” to Sarah Palin, but more of an acquaintance to an acquaintance, makes a stupid suggestion…
And this is a story, how?
logis on May 19, 2009 at 11:30 AM
So, the brilliant solution is to take donations and go a’whoring for HILLARY!?
oldleprechaun on May 19, 2009 at 11:34 AM
Oh, she also needs to focus on Alaska and keep her intentions kind of vague. Publicly naming “prominent consultants A, B, and C” to her team in Alaska in 2009 (3+ years before the general election) would telegraph her intentions to the Obama camp and the media (sorry for the repetition!) Also the ethics complaints generated would depress her popularity in her home state, robbing her of a valuable advantage.
She needs to focus on Alaska, get some advice- quietly, of course- and lay the foundation for a national run if that’s what she wants. Looks to me like that’s exactly what she’s doing.
cs89 on May 19, 2009 at 11:35 AM
Not convinced she has a lot of trouble with women voters. Even less convinced Whitman & Fiorina are the kind of conservatives Palin has aimed her PAC to help.
She’s going to shore up her home-state credentials and the social conservative base, IMO. Then, closer to the election, there will be a trust established where she can reach out to moderates- not turn on the base (cough: McCain, cough:) but highlight common interests with moderates while supporting social conservative issues in a smaller font, as it were.
cs89 on May 19, 2009 at 11:39 AM
Let Romney help Whitman; she is against off-shore drilling and SarahPAC explicity states it will help candidates who share her philosophy about energy. That excludes Whitman.
Don’t know where Fiorina stands on energy, but I understand she is pro-life. I just really want to see Boxer defeated, so I would love it if Palin helps out Carly, should Carly run.
yogi41 on May 19, 2009 at 11:47 AM
I hope that is the SarahPAC spokesperson, Meg whatever, who is no longer working there. We all saw typical Hillary when Sarah was slated to speak in NY while visiting the UN and the Ahmadinejad protest was happening. I hate hate hate Hillary Clinton now and the feeling was building during the farcical Democratic primaries last year. Stupid twat thought she had it in the bag, and now we have Bozo al-Chicago.
chunderroad on May 19, 2009 at 12:34 PM
I remember how some Hilltoppers stumped with Sarah during the election, though, notably Lady Lynn de Rothschild. However, I wonder if Hillary is considering challenging Obama in 2012. I think it is a good concept, though, and something Palin could do effectively given her record in Alaska.
She should have nothing to do with Fiorina, who had to leave the campaign because of her cattiness, and she should keep an eye on Whitman, who is chummy with Romney.
chunderroad on May 19, 2009 at 12:44 PM
the guy is a huge democrat fundraiser… has been for years… why would it be anything different?
Kaptain Amerika on May 19, 2009 at 12:50 PM
Couldn’t care less about Carly being catty; I live in California and I want Boxer GONE. Carly is one person who can give her a good fight, as Boxer has never had a serious challenger in the 17 years she’s been our Senator. If Palin can help Carly defeat Boxer, I’m all for it.
yogi41 on May 19, 2009 at 1:55 PM
There are 3 templates that the MSM pull out of the drawer at various times to mock or marginalize Sarah Palin. It is orchestrated and whatever template arises at a given time is determined by the Obama war room. Here are the three templates:
1)That Sarah Palin is stupid, a moron or an extremist. Quite honestly the MSM has stayed away from this template recently, but of course it can be resurrected at any time.
2)Instead the MSM now is focused on marginalizing Sarah from her base of supporters or donors; this story is a prime example of this approach-trying to claim that Sarah is not really a Reagan conservative, is a typical slimy politician and not worthy of the support of the base. Obviously the MSM want to head SarahPAC off at the pass before it gets too big.
3)Sarah Palin is ‘unelectable’. This is part of #1 but not all of it. The Weaver comment yesterday is a prime example of this approach, which is favored by the RINO’s and is a consistent template of the MSM. However the MSM is not stupid. It knows that once Palin’s SarahPAC fantastic numbers are released in July it will have to go back to #1 and #2.
But the MSM in July 2009 will I predict take stock of their approach to Sarah Palin and realize whatever they have used against Sarah Palin has not worked. It will be back to the drawing board for Obama’s war room.
technopeasant on May 19, 2009 at 2:47 PM
+100
Right on!
sarahpalinfan99 on May 19, 2009 at 2:53 PM
Pssst, AP….A highly placed source told me that Sarah Palin is a cannibal. No, seriously.
Yours in “insider” agenda steering,
Django
Django on May 19, 2009 at 2:55 PM
Great points! Sarah does have a following among former Hillary Clinton supporters. She should wait and see how if Hillary is willing to reach out in some way (even behind the scenes). I know Bill would love to! ;D
sarahpalinfan99 on May 19, 2009 at 3:00 PM
Sarah doesn’t need any sleezy DC insiders. She will continue to be patient as usual. Notice how she gently lets the goofball down. She has a way of saying no without punchin you in the nose.
GOD is on her side. That means somethin.
Sapwolf on May 19, 2009 at 7:14 PM
Sarah is a conservative and will not burn money for Rino’s or Lefties.
She knows that will cause donations to SarahPAC to dry up instantly.
People, the woman is smarther than you think.
Sapwolf on May 19, 2009 at 7:16 PM
If Carly is REALLY pro-life, Sarah might help her. However, I have not seen any evidence that Ms. Fiorina is pro-life.
Remember, she has spent much of her life in Silicon Valley, the home of affluent, technie-smart, lefty, spike-fenced, not-in-my-backyard, Volvo-drivin, espesso drinking, baby-killin, idiots of the first degree.
Let her show up at a Susan B. Anthony event, etc. to demonstrate her pro-life credentials. Not sayin she ain’t. I’m just sayin I have yet to see any evidence of it.
Sapwolf on May 19, 2009 at 7:21 PM
So all the media have to do to ensure Democrat presidents for generations is apply enough relentless ridicule and negativity. I don’t buy that.
Yeah, but it also helps those insiders to have candidates that the party as a whole cares about.
ddrintn on May 19, 2009 at 7:21 PM
Just pointing out that doing a favor for someone who burned you in the past is a political risk that may not pay off in the long run. Fiorina felt she should have been the VP pick, and she made some stupid comments about Palin that led to her being dropped from McCain’s campaign.
Fine if you want Boxer gone, but how does that help Palin? If it were anyone but Fiorina, it would make sense politically.
chunderroad on May 19, 2009 at 8:50 PM
Sa
Based on her comments at a McCain fundraiser at the St. Regis in NY, Carly is pro-choice.
chunderroad on May 19, 2009 at 8:52 PM
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