Will Palin Help or Hurt McDonnell and Christie? (Updated)

Posted By Josh Goodman | July 6, 2009

No one knows what Sarah Palin will do next. But, we do know what Michael Steele, the chairman of the Republican National Committee, wants her to do. From ABC:

"I plan on talking to Gov. Palin very soon," Steele said in a written statement. "She is an important and galvanizing voice in the Republican Party. I believe she will be very helpful to the party this year as we wage critical campaigns in Virginia and New Jersey.

If Palin does show up in Virginia and New Jersey, the two states that hold gubernatorial elections this fall, it will be fascinating to watch. I'm sure she could raise a lot of money for the Republicans nominees, Bob McDonnell in Virginia and Chris Christie in New Jersey. She could also draw a big crowd to a campaign rally.

That said, I'm also sure that Creigh Deeds and Jon Corzine, the Democratic candidates, would raise a ton of money from Democrats all over the country simply by saying, "Sarah Palin wants me to lose."

Update: CNN checked in with the McDonnell and Christie campaigns:

In Virginia, where Bob McDonnell is running in a tight race against Democrat Creigh Deeds, a spokeswoman for McDonnell's campaign would say only: "We have not held or announced any events with governor Palin." The campaign would not say if the 2008 vice presidential nominee had been invited.

...

In New Jersey, a state Palin never visited during the 2008 campaign, Republican Chris Christie is hoping to unseat Democratic incumbent Jon Corzine. The Christie campaign issued a one-line statement on Monday when asked if Palin might stop by to help.

"There are no plans for Governor Palin to visit New Jersey at this time," said Christie campaign manager Bill Stepien.

The McCain-Palin ticket, it's worth remembering, lost in both Virginia and New Jersey.

Josh Goodman

Josh Goodman is a former staff writer for GOVERNING..

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Twitter: @governing

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