Innocence, Bravado Are a Dangerous Mix

2008 running mate brought in to counter Hayworth

(NEWSER) - With JD Hayworth breathing down his neck, John McCain is looking for help in the Arizona primary race from a familiar campaigner: Sarah Palin. The former Alaska governor and Tea Party favorite will travel to Arizona next weekend to stump for her onetime running mate. The joint appearances will be their first since they conceded the 2008 election, notes the Arizona Daily Star . More»

(NEWSER) - Todd Palin says the $150,000 spending spree that outfitted his wife during last fall’s campaign was “out of our control,” the AP reports. “You come into a campaign late,” he told Men’s Journal. “You put all your trust into the team.” At least his Secret Service detail had a good time. “They liked cruising around with me,” describing trips to “the Arctic Cat snowmachine factory” and a NASCAR race. “Rough duty, hanging out with me.” More»

Accent 'dissed' by elites is same tune favored by humble, common-sense majority

(NEWSER) - The discomfort Sarah Palin causes in liberals, and even many conservatives, stems from a fundamental disconnect between the educated elite and real America, Michael Novak writes in the National Review. Solid, humble citizens hear a familiar ring to Palin’s oft-mocked accent: “The same guts. The same common sense. The same instincts. The same sense of America.” More»

Alaska governor stopped short on state's senior senator, now toes nominee's line

(NEWSER) - John McCain and Sarah Palin delivered Ted Stevens a synchronized shooing toward the Senate door today, Politico reports. McCain said the 84-year-old Republican senator, convicted yesterday of corruption, “should now step down,” while Palin—who stopped short last night of urging her fellow Alaskan to resign—said today “he needs to step aside,” ABC News adds. More»

Anchorage Daily News is wary of both McCain and Palin

(NEWSER) - Sarah Palin has accomplished a lot and has brought unexpected recognition to Alaska, but for the presidency, Barack Obama is "a clear choice" for the Anchorage Daily News. John McCain has abandoned his maverick positions to curry conservative favor, and the demands of the White House would "stretch the governor beyond her range," the paper says. More»