McDonnell made the far-fetched case that, after Palin resigned in July, his campaign had “already arranged all of the folks that we had for the home stretch for fundraisers, including several current and former governors.”

Such is the Palin effect on the GOP—making otherwise skilled pols argue that they couldn’t arrange a visit from her because their surrogate schedule was locked in place four months before Election Day.

One top Republican strategist, speaking candidly about Palin only under condition of anonymity, said what the two governors-elect couldn’t.

“What Bob did not say is Bob had the base locked up—he didn’t need her,” said the strategist. “Bringing her in would have done nothing.”…

Perhaps the most revealing response to the Palin conundrum was offered by veteran GOP pollster Glen Bolger. Asked if she was a force for good or bad in the party, Bolger deadpanned a non-response: “No question.”