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As Palin Robocalls in Virginia, McDonnell Keeps His Distance

November 02, 2009 12:21 PM

Sarah Palin is robocalling in Virginia but the Republican candidate for governor is still not embracing her.

Davis

My colleague, ABC News' Teddy Davis, has the story:

Republican Bob McDonnell kept his distance from Sarah Palin on Monday even as the former Alaska governor had begun making automated phone calls to more than 300,000 Virginia households on behalf of a conservative group, urging them to vote their values in Tuesday's election.

"I don't know anything about them," McDonnell told ABC News on Monday when asked about the Palin robocalls which are paid for by the Virginia chapter of the Faith and Freedom Coalition, a socially conservative group headed at the national level by Ralph Reed, the former head of the Christian Coalition.

McDonnell, who answered a question from ABC News following a 7:45 am ET campaign stop in Alexandria, Va., has been carefully calibrating his relationship with Palin.

After telling ABC's "Top Line" on July 7 that he thought Palin would be "a good spokesman" for his campaign based on what she had done on taxes, regulations, and ethics in Alaska, McDonnell has more recently kept his distance.

On Oct. 9, Politico's Jonathan Martin reported that Palin was ready to stump for McDonnell and Chris Christie, the Republican candidate for governor of New Jersey. But neither Republican seemed interested in taking up her offer to help. 

"The governor offered her assistance with both races," Palin adviser Meg Stapleton told Politico. "The ball is in their court."

The McDonnell campaign eschewed Palin's help on the stump even though it welcomed other potential 2012 Republican presidential candidates such as former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.

Even though Palin's robocall is paid for by the Virginia Faith and Freedom Coalition rather than by McDonnell or the Republican Party, Democrats seized on her entrance into the race in the hopes of painting McDonnell, who enjoys an 11-point lead in a recent Washington Post poll, as immoderate.

A key theme in the Democratic campaign has been that McDonnell, who has emphasized jobs, economic development, and bipartisanship in his campaign, is really a hard right social conservative because his 1989 graduate school thesis describes working women and feminists as "detrimental" to the family.

"We're a bit surprised that Sarah Palin would back the so-called principles of a candidate who believes that working women – like herself – are a detriment to the family," DNC spokeswoman Brandi Hoffine told ABC News. "However, Palin's endorsement of Bob McDonnell's beliefs should give Virginia voters, who may have been fooled by a smoke and mirrors campaign into believing that McDonnell would govern their state as a moderate, serious pause as they prepare to head to the polls tomorrow." 

"The candidate in this race with the principles most closely aligned with those of Virginians has always been and continues to be Creigh Deeds," she added, referring to the Democratic candidate.

Virginia state Sen. Steve Martin (R), the chairman of the Virginia Faith and Freedom Coalition, told ABC News that the Palin call, which began on Sunday, is intended to reach somewhere between 346,000 and 396,000 Virginia households. The Virginia Faith and Freedom Coalition put together the call list by matching up church lists with records of who had voted in recent elections. The targets included both high propensity and lower propensity voters.

In addition to Palin, the Virginia Faith and Freedom Coalition has used Huckabee as well as local pastors to make robocalls to Virginia voters in advance of Tuesday's vote.

The calls do not include an explicit appeal to vote for McDonnell, according to Sen. Martin, because his organization is prohibited as a 501(c)(4) organization from making a direct appeal for the election of a particular candidate.

Asked to characterize the shared principles that Palin is hoping to promote, Sen. Martin said: "Those shared principles would certainly involve things all the way from how money is collected to how it is spent to the value of human life."

"Economic liberty and religious liberty go hand in hand," he added.

During his prepared remarks at Monday's rally, McDonnell emphasized local economic initiatives that he wants to pursue while also continuing to portray a handful of Democratic proposals in Washington as being harmful to Virginia's economy.

"I hope the reason you are here is that you understand that we have some hard times that we're facing in Virginia," said McDonnell. "A 6.7 percent unemployment rate, a $6 billion budget deficit, rising energy prices, college tuition doubling, and other challenges that the next leadership team has got to address."

Referring to himself as well as the Republican candidates for lieutenant governor and Attorney General, McDonnell said: "This team . . .  understand(s) that it is not through more federal government solutions like card check and cap-and-trade and unfunded mandates and nationalized health care and major new deficit spending, that is not what's going to be the key to turning this economy around."

"It's going to be more private sector solutions, more innovation, more entrepreneurship, more small business, more freedom for more people to use their God given talents to pursue the American dream," he added.

While McDonnell avoided reading national meaning into Tuesday's election, his daughter cast it as an opportunity for voters in the Old Dominion to send a "message" about the Obama administration.

"Well, as you all know, this is a huge election," said Jeanine McDonnell, a former U.S. Army lieutenant who served in Iraq. "It's being watched nationally. This is what they look to, to see the first reaction to the current administration, so we have a message to send tomorrow, now don't we? But we also know that this election is about Virginia. It's about getting Virginia back on the right track."

Here is the script of Palin's Virginia robocall:

PALIN: "Virginia, hello, this is Sarah Palin, calling to urge you to go to the polls Tuesday and vote to share our principles. The eyes of America will be on Virginia and make no mistake about it, every vote counts. So don't take anything for granted, vote your values on Tuesday, and urge your friends and family to vote, too. Thank you."

ANNOUNCER: "Paid for by the Virginia Faith and Freedom Coalition."


ABC News' Brittany Crockett contributed to this report.

November 2, 2009 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (26)

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Listen people just listen to this garbage..."These shared principles would certainly invove THINGS all the way from how money is collected to how its spent to the value of human life". Could I please have an interpreter here to tell me what that is all about. Was this convoluted statement written by Palin herself. Then to go on... "Economic liberty and religious liberty go hand in hand". Do you people even have a clue of how the term liberty should be used? Oh I forgot, this must be the "rich/haves"'s
defintion of the word. When are you narrow minded sheep who listen and believe this garbage going to learn?

Posted by: CND FOX | Nov 2, 2009 1:07:05 PM

Not sure whether palin's comments are written by Palin or her alter ego, Megan Stapleton. Stapleton's job is to smooth out palin's ramblings.....and if she runs for office, expect to see the two together. two light-weights; dim wits--one reads the papers and offers a comment on every subject--the other just enjoys the celebrity status and is a puppet motivated by MONEY and GREED. Hope this isn't what the new Republican Party wants to be recognized for.

Posted by: Brad | Nov 2, 2009 2:36:49 PM

Oh, please.

Does ANYBODY actually think Sarah Palin sits down and writes ANY of this?

The woman can't name a single publication she reads and it took 7 years and 4 colleges to get her a degree in journalism?

Posted by: Dalton | Nov 2, 2009 3:34:06 PM

Economic freedom? Religious freedom? OOOOOOHHHHHH NOW YOU HAVE US SCARED ! Oh wait I get it ---HALLOWEEN.

Posted by: Kevin | Nov 2, 2009 3:43:05 PM

Liberty, Freedom, etc......seems as though this words are used very "lightly" these days.

Posted by: sara | Nov 2, 2009 3:56:33 PM

While Palin is trapsing all over the place and twittering, robocalling, facebook blather, etc., etc. who is taking care of the kids? Who is backing her? Who is funding her? Why would any of the Republican candidates want her around? Surely the Republicans need to distance themeselves from her and all the other know-nothings that proclaim themselves the "heart" of party.

Posted by: findlayway | Nov 2, 2009 4:02:00 PM

Why would anyone have a problem with someone simply urging people to vote their values. Isn't that what we should all do - examine our values and vote for the candidate who most closely fits that value system?

This message is another example of how Palin is ahead of her time. She clearly understands how our two-party system is destroying this country. Party loyalty blinds people and removes critical thinking from the equation when voting.

Kudos to Sarah Palin for understanding that. Few actually do.

Posted by: Ha! | Nov 2, 2009 4:07:24 PM

Findlayway -- the answers to your questions are out there. No need for musing on message boards. If you really want the answers, get away from the news blogs and visit the Sarah Pac website or even her facebook page. There's no need to pretend the answers aren't easy to find.

These days, we know that the "news" sites are not going to provide you with all the answers - they'll tell you what they think you need to know and that's it. You need to take initiative and go get the answers your self

Posted by: Me | Nov 2, 2009 4:12:24 PM

In the robocall, I did not read any mention of a candidate, nor a pitch to Republican or Democrat. So why are a few idiots trashing her. She's just urging people to get out and vote. AApparently there are some who can't wait to hear her name so that they can offer there pearls of wisdom,Haha.

Posted by: R.Ward | Nov 2, 2009 4:19:35 PM

Let's not forget that when Obama was elected last year, good ole George here and his wife both cried.

Sarah Palin did a recorded message to Virginia voters one day before the elections and she did not mention any one candidate by name.

One day before this election, as if McConnell has time to sit and give a thorough opinionated answer on Sarah Palin's voice message.

It doesn't mean dissent - it means he is busy!

Posted by: Steve | Nov 2, 2009 4:23:10 PM

It floors me that Palin is still a name that is recognized.

Posted by: Cindy | Nov 2, 2009 4:33:04 PM

"It floors me that Palin is still a name that is recognized."

It floors me that liberals who proclaim such are the same ones hysterically claiming she charged women for rape kits and click on every link that has her name on it.

Posted by: Steve | Nov 2, 2009 4:55:05 PM

I hope they have Santa Claus on the ballot. He shouldg get my vote instead of these two knunkle-head.

Posted by: Joe | Nov 2, 2009 4:58:29 PM

"We're a bit surprised that Sarah Palin would back the so-called principles of a candidate who believes that working women – like herself – are a detriment to the family," DNC spokeswoman Brandi Hoffine told ABC News."

Palin probably doesn't now this about the candidate, i.e. no research (what else is new). She says one thing & does another.

I thought there was supposed to be separation of church & state ???? .... nobody's religious liberty is being challenged.

What I find that is being challenged is democracy. A president elected by the majority of the people seems to be under constant criticism, which started with the GOP & is now being taken over by what I call radicals.

If there are Republicans out there who do not go for the ulta-conservative attitudes & now find they may have a 2nd branch of the GOP to contend with, they can blame themselves for it with all their bad mouthing, lack of support, & name calling of the current administration.

On a personal note, I wish SP would go away ..... I bet John McCain feels like he created a monster.

Posted by: Linda | Nov 2, 2009 5:02:26 PM

You go, Sarah! PLEASE, send robocalls to every state - that should succeed in defeating lots of Republicans. That would leave only the hard-core, nasties, who have been making it clear that anyone even slightly to the left of the extreme right wing of the Party are no longer welcome.

Posted by: Cheryl Fox | Nov 2, 2009 5:16:14 PM

Cheryl Fox said:

You go Sarah! PLEASE, send robocalls to every state-that should succeed in defeating lots of Republicans.

How is that working out for you in NY-23?

Posted by: Miki Ellis | Nov 2, 2009 5:49:17 PM

And now the OTHER shoe drops. I was kind of waiting to see what McDonnell could possibly do to shoot himself in the foot, even while he has a comfortable lead in the polls against Deeds, and he has somehow managed to convince the jackboots-in-lockstep he has in his corner, how the extremist views he's held in the past no longer apply, and that he is surely the "leopard who has really changed its spots." Sarah Palin in robocalls? Mr. McDonnell, I think you just "sunk your OWN Battleship".

Posted by: Don Normann | Nov 2, 2009 5:59:45 PM

It is apparent by the big outrage towards Sarah Palin by the Democrat's that Obama's communist czars have ordered Acorn and its army of bigots out to attack Palin. This is great! All the Democrat idiots and morons are out on display for America to see and their hate, envy and bigotry that is at the core of the Democrat party!!!
This is where the Democrat's send your tax money America to these community organizers to attack free speech and bring down America. Read their hate and bigotry towards Sarah Palin!!!!

Posted by: John Demeter | Nov 2, 2009 6:09:45 PM

You go, Sarah! My so many friends and I have prayed and respected Sarah Palin which can back lost American the Faith, Freedom, and Precious Values to Americans since Obama had taken the White House. A huge money which is paid taxes by American is being spent for "ABORTION" in all of world. New Jersy MUST MUST be canged by a new Gov. with new plan.

VICTORY FOR Bob McDonnell's & Christi TOMORROW and GO SARAH PALIN IN 2012.

Posted by: Victoria-NJ | Nov 2, 2009 6:17:54 PM

When Brandi Hoffine quoted the new Obama theme SMOKE AND MIRRORS I had to get back up off the floor I was laughing so hard,

Posted by: earl | Nov 2, 2009 6:29:45 PM

Sarah Palin would be a big drawing card for their campaign and to ignore her and not welcome her should be a drawback for the voters to turn their vote from republican to democrat. Parties should stick together and they should appreciate what she is doing for them. I like Palin and hope she runs for Senator.

Posted by: Mariann Pepitone | Nov 2, 2009 10:10:31 PM

Victoria: I agree with you. I hope she does run in 2012. I believe she is more qualified than what the public says and she does know politics because she was a mayor before she was governor. I would like to see her run for the senate or president in 2012.

Posted by: Mariann Pepitone | Nov 2, 2009 10:14:12 PM

Republicans that are campaigning should welcome Sarah Palin because she can be a great help to them. The problem with is they believe she would steal the show from them because she is a very popular woman. Those that don't like her are people that are jealous of her accomplishments, both men and woman. The reason Obama chose Biden is because Biden cannot outshine him whereas Hillary would have. Obama ddn't choose Hillary because she would outshine him because she has the experience that he hasn't learned yet.

Posted by: Mariann Pepitone | Nov 2, 2009 10:21:04 PM

Just knowing that the nefarious and hypocritical Ralph Reed is heading this
Faith and Freedom Coalition is enough to make one gag. He´s still presenting himself as a Christian? What a laugh!
Palin´s intrusion into the campaign, evidently uninvited by McConnell (is that for real), should be a wakeup call for many other Republicans planning on running in 2010. Could be a mixed blessing.

Posted by: BachisBest | Nov 2, 2009 10:56:44 PM

WHAT A TOOL..TO THINK THAT INTELLIGENT PEOPLE WOULD EVEN TAKE HER SERIOUSLY...GO TAKE CARE OF YOUR HOME...GOD KNOWS YOU HAVE ENOUGH TO DO THERE...

Posted by: Draamm | Nov 3, 2009 9:08:22 AM

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