One Thing Romney Could Do To Instantly Reignite His Campaign & Yes It Involves Palin.

On Greta Van Susteran's program  after the second SC debate. Newt Gingrich twice thanked Sarah Palin for her support and said it was a key factor in his remarkable rise in polling in the state. 


As Gingrich rightly said, few would have given him any hope of success after New Hampshire, and the media was crowing Romney as the nominee at that point.


Perhaps equally as important as the rise in polling support, not only for SC but for the campaign ahead and the general election, was, as Gingrich described it, "after Sarah announced her support we received an influx of volunteers and support really accelerated, she has a significant following."


After Palin announced she would not be a candidate Gingrich straight away set up a liaison contact with Todd Palin and they have had a continuous dialogue so there was an interplay of personalities at the highest level. 


That this was bearing fruit was obvious from the regular positive comments Palin made about Gingrich on her Fox slots from time to time. What was also apparent was the lack of a similar positivity about Romney.


Subsequently, Gingrich twice announced he would consider Palin in his administration . The first time he canvassed that he would consider her for the vice-presidency, and this week, for a cabinet post.


Contrast this with Romney. There has not been, at least publicly that I have seen, any remarks by Romney that he would consider Palin for a position, or even consult with her on an ad hoc basis in her recognized field of expertise, energy development. 


Certainly Romney has not been negative about Palin, but the contrast between Gingrich's far sighted reaching out, and Romney's neglect of a powerful presence in the party-one who can make or break candidates-is striking.


This neglect of Palin, if she had endorsed him he would be miles ahead by now, may be the biggest mistake Romney has made in this campaign. 


In the second debate the candidates were asked what they would do differently if they could start the campaign over again. The usual bromides followed, but if Romney considered the poll reversal in South Carolina, he might have truthfully said "I would have reached out to Sarah Palin." 


The fact that Palin has decided not to endorse anyone in Florida makes a reach out by Romney that much easier for him. By not endorsing, a Romney interaction would not be open to charges of him offering her a position in his administration in exchange for her support.


The one thing Romney could do  would be to simply announce that he would find a major role for Palin in a Romney administration including the possibility of the vice-presidency.


If he offered to meet with her to discuss such possibilities it would be a step further than Gingrich has undertaken. She would  be in  a difficult position having to reject such an offer.
By  announcing this Romney would simply be reflecting the massive role Palin plays in the GOP, her influence with the rank and file and especially the Tea Party.


it would be no insult to his dignity as it would simply reflect political reality. It would give Palin' supporters pause and might be the spark that would reinvigorate his campaign, and in a fashion, humanize Romney. He has nothing to lose and possibly a presidency to gain.