The video: Sarah Palin's political action committee has released a new campaign-style video reminiscent of her July "Mama Grizzlies" video (which some pundits interpreted as the opening salvo in a presidential run). The new spot, a paean to the Tea Party — driven by a heart-pounding, suspenseful soundtrack — intercuts footage of flag-waving Tea Partiers with shots of Palin meeting, greeting, and orating. Her voice-over declares the grassroots movement "the future of politics" and underlines how "proud" she is to be associated with it.
The reaction: This is an "out-and-out campaign ad" for the Tea Party designed to ride the buzz resulting from "O'Donnell's big upset" in Delaware, says AllahPundit at Hot Air. It's also, says Greg Sargent at The Washington Post, a "pretty transparent effort [on Palin's part] to position herself as the movement's national standard bearer." That's a risky move for a presumptive presidential candidate, says Nicole Allan at The Atlantic. No one knows what the significance of the Tea Party will be in 2012, and running as the movement's candidate might "alienate establishment donors and endorsers." Watch the video here:
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
How will the next pope change the Catholic Church?Talking Points Conclaves can be unpredictable
-
Conspiracy theorists circle again following RFK file releaseThe Explainer Both RFK and his brother, President John F. Kennedy, have been the subjects of conspiracies
-
7 equestrian activities for when you feel like horsin' aroundThe Week Recommends These graceful animals make any experience better
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: who are the billionaires backing?The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
-
US election: where things stand with one week to goThe Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
-
Is Trump okay?Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
-
The life and times of Kamala HarrisThe Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
