New York Times suggests that Tea party politicians actually win by losing, while using Sarah Palin as the example that proves their point.

So Jennifer Steinhauer, of the New York Times wrote an article yesterday that was ostensibly about Chris McDaniel's failed bid to unseat Thad Cochran. (And of course his refusal to admit that he has lost.)

Steinhauer makes the argument that while these politicians lose their elections, sometimes multiple elections, they somehow come out winners since they are now seen as strident voices outside the beltway who are not forced to compromise their principles in order to pass legislation or get reelected.

It is an interesting premise, though not one I particularly agree with, however just as Stenhauer is making her point she flubs it with this statement: 

The mother of this strategy is Sarah Palin, the failed vice-presidential candidate who jettisoned her job as governor of Alaska in favor of a personal bully pulpit and a political action committee to support conservatives candidates, who largely covet her nod.

Seriously? Did this woman do NO research into what has happened to Palin over the years since she lost the 2008 election?

Numerous failed reality shows and book tours for her and her entire family, all while becoming a national laughingstock that is only listened to by the fringeiest of the Right Wing fringe, does not a success make.

However Steinhauer seems immune to these obvious facts.

Ms. Palin has given a total of hundreds of thousands of dollars to scores of candidates over the last few cycles. Most recently, her endorsement helped push Joni Ernst past her rivals in a crowded Iowa Senate primary. 

“Sarah Palin’s roaring support will help me to victory, and as a result, make ’em squeal in Washington,” Ms. Ernst said at the time. 

Ben Sasse was also helped by Ms. Palin in his victory over primary competitors in a Senate race in Nebraska.

First off Palin has NOT given hundreds of thousands of dollars to "scores of candidates."  I do not have time this morning to do the research and crunch the numbers but in the last five years I would be fairly surprised to learn that she gave even a hundred thousand dollars of her precious PAC money to candidates, and then it was only in stingy little dribs and drabs. And that does not take into account that she has been paid by some of these politicians to show up and stump for them, so in essence she can often make back her PAC's donation in personal financial gain and then some.

In short, it's all a scam.

And secondly Steinhauer completely ignores the large number of Palin endorsees who have flamed out and crashed into a crater of obscurity.

So yes Chris McDaniel may in fact follow in the footsteps of Sarah Palin. He may write a book that few will read, star in a reality show that nobody will want to see,  get book deals for members of his family that nobody will give a shit about, and get fewer and fewer speaking gigs until finally he is standing in front of the hog exhibit at a country fair talking about taking back this country.

And if that is how failed Tea Party candidates define success, then he should be very, very happy.

After all look how happy Sarah Palin is.

On a related note it appears that not only are some Tea Party candidates following in the Mama Grizzly's footsteps, at least one of their daughters is following in Bristol's: 

US Senate candidate and Baton Rouge Congressman Bill Cassidy releases a statement that says his 17-year-old unmarried daughter is pregnant as she prepares for her senior year in high school. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says this revelation shouldn't impact his chances at defeating incumbent Mary Landrieu this fall. 

"It's doubtful Senator Landrieu's campaign or any groups connected with her will find any particular reason to make this a campaign issue." 

Stockley says there is political precedent, as Sarah Palin had to announce her daughter was pregnant as she ran for Vice-President. 

"This really didn't have a significant impact on Sarah Palin. John McCain and Sarah Palin were defeated for very different reasons. None of which you can tie back to Bristol Palin."

That is true. McCain and Palin would have lost whether Bristol got herself knocked up or not. 

Of course it didn't exactly HELP.

Wow, such a brave new political world Sarah Palin has helped create, don't you agree?