Sarah Smile

ST. PAUL -- Most every GOPer we interviewed this week talked about the benefits of running on a ticket that included Sarah Palin. But even though she electrified the audience last p.m., what benefits can she really give to House candidates?

-- First, Palin's presence has excited the base. In '06 and for most of this cycle, GOPers have been down in the dumps. Earlier this cycle, NRCC Chair Tom Cole (OK-04) openly worried about his party's morale, but this pick changes things, at least on the WH level. How many GOPers lost in '06 because the base simply failed to turn out? If the excitement surrounding Palin continues through 11/08, this can only help GOPers in GOP-heavy CDs like PA-10, AL-02 and AL-05.

-- Secondly, she could give them something all House GOPers are sorely lacking: cash. Earlier this week, John McCain's camp announced that it raised over $10M in the days following the VP announcement. Citing this success, a later report quoted an aide saying Palin will spend 80% of the general-election raising money for state and candidate campaigns. GOP Reps. and challengers in battleground CDs may very well see the fruits of this labor.