Fiery Palin stumps for beleaguered McCain

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

It was deja vu all over again, as John McCain and Sarah Palin, the recent losing GOP presidential ticket, were reunited on Friday on a platform of political mutual aid.

It is the first time the odd couple of political and personal contrasts has campaigned together since the presidential race of 2008. McCain plucked Palin out of the political obscurity of the Alaska statehouse and gave her a platform that turned her into a media star and darling of conservatives across the nation.

Palin on Friday gave McCain what he wanted in a fiery introduction that emphasized his conservative credentials and his standing as an anti-Washington maverick who opposed healthcare overhaul and supported fiscal restraint and small government.

“Those issues are at the heart of a conservative movement that is sweeping this country,” Palin said. “It’s a beautiful grassroots movement that is putting government back on the side of the people. Some parts of this is the tea party movement.

“I want to clear the air right now,” she said to cheers, calling the tea party movement, “a beautiful movement. Everybody here today supporting John McCain, we’re all part of that tea party movement.”

McCain applauded and in his comments predicted that the recently passed healthcare insurance overhaul will be overturned by the courts. “Repeal and replace,” he said, using what has become the GOP rallying cry for the midterm election cycle.

‘When it comes to Obamacare,’ Palin joked. ‘I see Fidel Castro likes Obamacare and we don’t. Doesn’t that tell you something?’

The intervening months haven’t been as kind to McCain, 73, as they have been to Palin, who quit as governor to become the author of a bestselling book, a television commentator and a political powerhouse. By contrast, McCain is fighting for his political life as he faces a primary from the right in his bid for a fifth term in the Senate.

Former congressman and radio talk show host, J. D. Hayworth opposes McCain, saying the incumbent is not conservative enough for Arizona, especially when it comes to immigration reform. As polls have shown his once sizable lead dwindling, McCain has been sounding ever more conservative, less of the maverick who was willing to work with Democrats and independents in the Senate.

Palin predicted McCain will win out as the pair campaigned in Tucson on Friday. They were to head to the Phoenix suburb of Mesa on Saturday and were scheduled to hold a fundraiser at the same Phoenix hotel where they conceded the presidential election on Nov. 4, 2008.

In her book, “Going Rogue,” Palin acknowledged there were tensions between her advisers and McCain’s during the presidential campaign.

Regarded as a policy lightweight with an aptitude to sound ill-informed on a variety of issues and an unfortunate uncanny resemblance to a prominent comedian, Palin was a disaster in television interviews but a star with party faithful at campaign rallies.

McCain’s staff tried to keep her away from reporters, much to Palin’s displeasure. The final straw was when she was prevented from delivering a concession speech in Phoenix on election night.

But Palin has been kind in describing McCain who has reciprocated by consistently predicting she would be an important player in Republican circles. With the tea party movement creating more pressure – and opportunity -- on the rest of the GOP, Palin has become the Joan of Arc of the right.

Palin this week released her list of 20 U.S. House seats that she said conservatives should target in this year’s elections. The list, posted on her Facebook page, featured a U.S. map with circles and cross hairs over the 20 districts.

It was posted before Democrats reported at least 10 incidents of vandalism and threats directed against House members who had voted for the healthcare insurance overhaul law, the most contentious bipartisan issue and centerpiece of President Obama’s domestic agenda.

-- Michael Muskal

Twitter.com/LATimesmuskal

McCain adapting to face challenge from the right

Now it’s Sarah Palin’s turn to target Democrats

McCain-Palin: On the Road Again