Lisa Murkowski and the Palin Factor

A ghost from the past tapped a cold finger on Lisa Murkowski's shoulder several months ago, and it must have sent a clammy chill up the one-term Senator's spine. Just when she thought former Alaska governor Sarah Palin was a bad memory, her old nemesis pops up and strikes the final blow, in a near decade-long feud that toppled all but the last outpost of the state's biggest Republican dynasty.

Murkowski was appointed in 2002 by her father, then Alaska governor Frank Murkowski, another notch on Palin's gun. More on that later.

No matter how low the Left and left-leaning Republicans stoop to deep-six Palin, the worse the nightmare becomes.

Is this significant to the national Republican Party's war to retake the Senate? You betcha!

The nomination of Joe Miller in Alaska means the difference between having a potentially Republican Congress and a conservative one. Well, it is one more brick, at least. Murkowski, by the way, had a 20-30 point lead in the polls when Palin tapped the virtually unknown Miller. Miller called Palin's endorsement pivotal.

Call me silly, but I believe we're seeing a trend here "that baby-on-board" Republicans in Orange County just plain don't get. Orange County-to all you non-Californians-being my metaphor for out of touch, fair-weather conservatives. Sarah Palin has tapped into the heart of a party that lost its way a decade ago. That's okay, though, you guys got onto the country music craze a decade late, too. Long after the rest of us moved to Tom Petty and Heartbreakers.

Palin has sent Republicans like Lisa Murkowski running for independent status across the nation for a solid year. Her support of Sharon Angle in Nevada is looking more and more like another dynasty in that state will be pushing up daisies in November. Harry Reid is outspending Angle 3 to 1 and they are in a dead heat. And, although Marco Rubio in Florida did not seek Palin's endorsement, Palin tapped him as her horse and Governor Charlie Crist is now singing three octaves higher. Granted Palin cannot be credited for Rubio's number, but it certainly hasn't hurt.

Look, I am well aware of Palin's shortcomings. She possesses almost none of the savoir faire Washington requires in a two-term back-bench congressman, not to mention a presidential candidate. I mean, if Katie Couric can put her on the canvas, how smart can she be? Right? Wrong.

Anyone who believes a few, far too publicized, gaffs, or even a bad run in 2008, can sink this woman, is watching too much MSNBC. One only need remember Nixon in 1969 and Reagan in 1976 to know that Palin is not close to finished. Cancel your subscriptions to the Orange County Register.

In 2002, Palin ran for lieutenant governor of Alaska and lost, in a five-way Republican primary. Go home to Wasilla and shoot a moose or two, cook up some chili, forget about it. Right? Nuh-uh. In 2006, she came back to defeat Governor Frank Murkowski for the Republican nomination and went on to be arguably one of the most popular governors in state history, short though that history may be.

Understand something here. Frank Murkowski was wildly popular. Probably corrupt, but popular, nonetheless. Palin pulled in more votes in that primary than Murkowski and her other opponent combined.

Ah, but does that translate to nationwide acceptance as a contender? You betcha! Yes, Palin's numbers are low, but, then again, so were Joe Miller's. Uh-hum.

Palin is gathering support by the day in this primary season. Her endorsement brings with it incredible clout. Every candidate that she helps to victory in the fall-including John McCain, go figure-is beholden to her. While the media dances on her grave, the woman is quietly amassing campaign funds and political chits. She is impossible to ignore as a front runner in the 2012 primaries.

OMG! The Volvo needs washing.