Is There A Wimp Factor with Scott Rigell?

Bearing Drift is reporting that Scott Rigell wimped out of speaking to literally thousands of Republicans today because Sarah Palin was there.  The decision probably came from the belief that Sarah Palin will hurt him.  Not sure how, just ask Nikki Haley and Carly Fiorina and Rand Paul who all got huge boosts from Palin.  This idea that she is somehow toxic is a myth, like much about her, though she is controversial I'll give you that.  But this Freedom Feast should bring in thousands of Republicans and is a real chance to fire up the base and get Republicans motivated to work for our candidates.  And more than Palin or George Allen or Ollie North, Scott Rigell NEEDS to reach these voters because they will be his base and his core, the people who go out for him to convince their neighbors and community to vote for him.  If Scott Rigell is willing to buy into the Palin myth to the point that he won't even talk to core Republicans in his district, I'm worried about his future.  I get that Sarah Palin is polarizing, but if that's the best the Democrats can do your gonna be fine.  I hope Rigell reconsiders, because this is too big a chance here to pass up.

Comments

[Shaun Kenney]

Agreed. Not the world's biggest Palin fan either, but this is not an opportunity you turn down as a candidate -- nor is it a way to consolidate your base after a bruising primary.

[Mike in Virginia]

I disagree. Sarah Palin is an opportunist who is using her name to win not votes for other candidates, but make money and a name for herself. She abandoned her responsibilities to the citizens of Alaska in order to line her own pockets and create a market for her sensationalism. She is nothing less than an embarrassment to the American political process.

Any candidate that associates with her will not get my vote. She needs to go back to Alaska and let us elect our own representatives.

[mytwocents]

Completely disagree as well. No way, I would want to share the stage with Palin in an election that will be decided by independents. If Palin was the current sitting governor it would be a little different. Why would any candidate in a swing district risk alienating independents who will probably decide this race?
Rigell is using the McDonnell playbook well and will win this seat. Aside from maybe Ann Coulter, Palin is by far the second most polarizing figure in GOP circles. I think Palin is definitely a net positive in some of the rural and more southern states but why risk it when you already have a lead?

[Living Colour]

Good for Rigell.

If the GOP expects to be taken seriously after 2010, it needs to be something more than just an airheaded cue-card reader's cult of personality.

[Brian W. Schoeneman]

I can see both sides, honestly. In terms of press coverage and the chance to connect with your base, it doesn't make a lot of sense to turn down an opportunity with Sarah Palin.

Then again, she's polarizing, and if that's not the image he wants to convey, I can see why he chose to turn her down. The Governor did the same thing and didn't hurt him.

[Chris]

yeah but McDonnell was never put in the position where he was invited somewhere she was at. They seemed to be able to handle it on a staff level to save face for both sides.

I just can't believe Rigell would pass on the chance to appear before so many Republican activists he needs.

[The Only Abnormal One Here]

I'm thinking along the same lines as Chris: there had to be a way to deal with this behind the scenes to save both of them some face.

This outcome drives a "Palin dissed" storyline on Palin and a "Rigell slaps conservatives in the face" storyline on Rigell. Neither is helpful.

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