Politics

Sarah Palin endorses Carly Fiorina in California Senate race

Alex Pappas Political Reporter
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Sarah Palin waded into the California Senate race on Thursday, endorsing former Hewlett-Packard Chief Executive Carly Fiorina, a Republican, over another candidate who has curried favor with conservative grassroots activists.

“Please consider that Carly is the conservative who has the potential to beat California’s liberal senator, Barbara Boxer, in November,” Palin said on Facebook.

Fiorina is in a tough race against moderate Republican Tom Campbell and Chuck DeVore, who has garnered support from Tea Partiers.

“I’m a huge proponent of contested primaries, so I’m glad to see the contest in California’s GOP, but I support Carly as she fights through a tough primary against a liberal member of the GOP who seems to bear almost no difference to Boxer, one of the most leftwing members of the Senate.”

Recent polls show Campbell leading the pack.

“California is still Reagan Country, and Carly promises her “Reagan conservative” values will be put to good use for her state and for our great nation. Shaking it up in California is long overdue. Let’s help Carly do it!”

But Palin was forced to update her Facebook note after the endorsement elicited outrage among her followers. By Monday morning, more than 1,500 people had left comments questioning Fiorina’s conservative credentials. “Oh No Sarah! You’re wrong!!!!!!! Chuck DeVore is the true conservative, what are you doing?????” said one commenter, Rae Plaster.

Palin’s update: “Carly has been endorsed by the National Right to Life, the California Pro-Life Council, and the Susan B. Anthony List. She is pro-life, pro-traditional marriage, pro-military, and pro-strict border security and against amnesty. She is against Obamacare and will vote to repeal it and prevent the government takeover of private companies and industries. Carly is also a strong supporter of the Second Amendment.”

“Like me,” Palin continues, “she is a member of the NRA, has a 100% NRA rating, and she and her husband are gun owners. She is pro-energy development and believes as I do in an all-of-the-above approach to energy independence. She is against cap and tax. And most importantly, Carly is the only conservative in the race who can beat Barbara Boxer. That’s no RINO. That’s a winner.”

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