Palin and McCain Reunite for His Campaign

Senator John McCain stages a political reunion here today at a campaign rally with Sarah Palin, the first time the former Republican running mates have appeared on the same stage since their 2008 presidential race ended.

They have barely spoken in the last 17 months since parting ways after they conceded the election. And by now, much of their behind-the-scenes drama has been revealed in a series of books, television interviews and post-campaign forums that have taken on the air of political therapy sessions.

But as he faces a conservative primary challenge in his bid for a fifth term in the Senate, Mr. McCain asked for help, and Ms. Palin answered the call. By day’s end, the two will have appeared at three events, ending with a fund-raiser at the Biltmore, the same Phoenix hotel where they ended their presidential bid.

Ms. Palin, who has campaigned for conservative candidates across the country, has drawn criticism here for stepping into Mr. McCain’s race with J.D. Hayworth, a former Republican congressman from Arizona, who refers to himself as the “consistent conservative.” She has brushed aside the criticism and outlined her reasons for supporting her former partner in an op-ed column in today’s Arizona Republic.

“In 2008, I firmly believed that John McCain was the right man for America. Today, I know he’s the right man for Arizona,” Ms. Palin said. “Your state deserves more than rhetoric; you deserve a leader with a real record of accomplishment.”

Ms. Palin is the latest in a parade of Republicans coming to Mr. McCain’s aid in Arizona. In recent weeks, he has invited Senator Scott Brown of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney and Jeb Bush.

It’s an open question what effect – if any – the endorsements will have in the race.

Mr. Hayworth, who has drawn the support of several Tea Party groups and other conservative activists, welcomed Ms. Palin to Arizona but said that her seal of approval for Mr. McCain wouldn’t mean much with voters here.

“The actions of this campaign, lining up all these endorsements by non-Arizonans, typifies a style of campaigning that has been the norm for John for the better part of the last decade,” Mr. Hayworth said Thursday evening. “Certainly his national aspirations have affected his ability to represent Arizona.”