Palin Finds Nothing Succeeds Like Success

From The Wall Street Journal:

Ted Cruz's come-from-behind win in a Republican runoff in Texas this week rattled the state's GOP establishment and embarrassed Gov. Rick Perry, who had backed Mr. Cruz's opponent in the U.S. Senate primary.

In doing so, the upset victory gave another jolt of momentum to the endorsement machine of Sarah Palin, who gave Mr. Cruz a well-timed plug in May—and campaigned with him in Texas last week.

After fading to the margins during the presidential primary, the former Republican vice presidential candidate and conservative lightning rod is once again becoming a valuable ally in duels within her party, making endorsements in nine primary races so far in 2012, compared with more than 60 in the 2010 election cycle.

In many contests she was far from the sole decisive force, but her endorsements have helped propel several underdogs. And at times, she has played it safe, rallying behind party stalwarts such as Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch and Arizona Rep. Jeff Flake.

Ms. Palin had a mixed endorsement record in 2010, when she backed more than 60 candidates, with nearly half coming up short in a primary or general election. A few Palin picks—Sharon Angle in Nevada and Christine O'Donnell in Delaware stand out—lost general-election races the GOP thought it should have won.

This year, Ms. Palin appears to be doling out her support more judiciously. That is garnering kudos from conservatives not normally disposed to applauding her.

"She has shown a level of political maturity that is surprising—and not just to me, but to others in the party," said Republican operative Rich Galen. "By limiting her involvement, she is giving her picks more weight. And that is helping her brand."

That brand still has its share of doubters among opinion-shapers in the party, though. Former Vice President Dick Cheney, for one, said this week that it was a "mistake" for Sen. John McCain to have picked her in 2008.

In the Cruz race, as elsewhere, Ms. Palin continues to relish her role as bomb-thrower, fulminating most loudly against the political establishment, Republicans included. Mr. Cruz defeated David Dewhurst, who as the state's longtime lieutenant governor was a central figure in budget negotiations and legislative affairs—and is widely regarded as a staunch conservative.

Ms. Palin largely stayed on the margins of the GOP presidential primary fight earlier this year, after opting not to join the fray herself. The next big question is whether she will play any role in the party convention in Tampa, Fla., later this month.