The Palin and Trump cordial relationship goes much further back than the 'Pizza Summit". It well predates Palin's interview with Trump when she was temporarily hosting
at OANN, and of course if goes much further back than their recent double book signing at Trump Towers.
Trump advised at the start of the current GOP presidential nomination campaign that he "would love to have Governor Palin in my administration."
When asked on Sarah Palin’s Mama Grizz Radio’s “The Palin Update” Monday whether he would seek the former Alaska governor’s advice as president or potentially appoint her to an executive-branch position, Trump said, “I’d love that.”
She’s really somebody who knows what’s happening. She’s a special person. She’s really a special person. And I think people know that and she’s got a following that’s unbelievable,” he continued. (Palin has more than 4 million Facebook followers.)
“I’m looking at some of these candidates, they’re weak, they’re ineffective and to a degree that’s almost hard to believe. And, you know, they like the Sarah Palin kind of strength. You just don’t see very much of it anymore,” Trump mused."
Such comments endeared Trump to a number of Palin supporters (myself included) as did Newt Gingrich's advice in the 2012 campaign that "I would certainly consider Palin as my VP/Secretary of energy" (she subsequently voted for him in the primary.) In both cases support for them increased strikingly subsequently.
Palin has taken great pains to speak kindly of as many of the current candidates as possible whilst advising that "it is to early" for her to endorse anyone of them. That said, her positive comments on Donald Trump have been numerous and noteworthy, and it would appear obvious that she would have no problem in endorsing him.
This is no matter of some political convenience with Trump dangling the bauble of some possible future office. Palin is just not made that way. Nor is her obvious friendliness towards Trump some Machiavellian plan to ensure she gets a cabinet post. One gets the feeling Palin would be just as happy, if not happier, doing what she has been doing, writing, speaking out about matters of concern and faith, and populating congress with her endorsed candidates.
That Trump holds Palin not only in personal but political respect goes back, at least, to the 2012 campaign. I canvassed these matters in 2012 when Palin's intentions were not known (or fully formed). A number of points were, as it turns out, quite prescient it appears.
The key points are that Trump was so respectful of Palin as a person and possible presidential candidate that he held back before making any endorsement decisions. Secondly, and which puts the lie to "Trump is really a Democrat" (or "Democratic party plant") his robocall for the GOP candidate Bob Turner (who won) in the election to replace disgraced Dem Anthony Weiner.
The bottom line is "Trust Trump and Trust Palin"
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TRUMP WAITS ON PALIN'S DECISION IN 2012 CAMPAIGN
In discussing the Trump/Perry get together in New York, where Perry is the latest potential GOP candidate to make the pilgrimage, Politico's James Hohmann advises (emphasis mine-the post is also at the bottom of this page)
"Trump likes the Texas governor but is reluctant to endorse a candidate until Sarah Palin's intentions are know
Of course, the comment is unattributed, but given the fact that Trump has not yet endorsed there appears to be basis for confidence in it. However there are some, perhaps, highly significant aspects to the possible Palin endorsement by Trump.
If Trump endorsed Palin she might get a substantial boost in the and it is common sense that a substantial element of Trump's potential support would be transferred to Palin.
If Trump would accept the VP slot then such a ticket would have massive appeal and, importantly massive funding. The leftist media and satirists could dine out on it but they are discredited along with their chosen one President Obama and the mood of the country is a populist one. there could be no more populist ticket than Palin/Trump.
In the electoral college such a ticket could do very well with Palin bringing in the south and west and Trump assisting in the rust belt states, where his message of industrial recovery and protectionism would resonate strongly. Given the current polling in Pennsylvania he might bring in enough support to swing that state and thus the election.
If the ticket did lose then Trump would be perfectly positioned for 2016 as a loyalist, thus erasing any problems in his past in that area and heir apparent and with his resources and credibility as a candidate (who would not be blamed for a 2012 loss) he would be a shoo in for the nomination and after 8 years of Obama probably would be elected. Thus a Palin VP slot would be a very shrewd move for him in that respect.
Looked at from another angle. If Palin does not run then there is a danger that Trump might well go third party which would guarantee the re-election of President Obama, whilst destroying the GOP and his electoral college chances. Trump would take enough votes from the GOP in such places as Florida/Virginia/Ohio to let Obama slip through. This would of course destroy any hopes he might have for the GOP nomination in 2016.
The safest and best place for Trump and the GOP would be for him to be safely locked in as VP candidate to Palin which would give him a bright future whichever way things went in the election. Trump and Palin are two smart people and perhaps this scenario has crossed their minds and was the subject of conversation over pizza in NYC.
"TRUMP TOWER MINDMELD – THE DONALD LIKES PERRY, BUT HE’S WAITING ON PALIN:
Donald Trump feels his meeting with Rick Perry last night at Trump Tower went well. The pair had dinner at Jean George after. The New York businessman went home impressed by Perry, who he thinks is a straight shooter with an impressive story to tell. They have been speaking by phone for six weeks.
Trump likes the Texas governor but is reluctant to endorse a candidate until Sarah Palin's intentions are known, a source familiar with his thinking tells Morning Score. He is a big Palin fan. Trump is coming off his role as a robocaller for Congressman-elect Bob Turner, who won in the NYC district Trump grew up in. Turner thanked Trump in his victory remarks. "
