How many palin backed candidates won

Pawlenty, another potential candidate, also has set up state-specific political committees. Pawlenty and Romney both have an established presence on the ground in New Hampshire, with advisers in place who would become campaigns' senior leaders if they decide to run early next year.

For instance, a vague Palin message on Twitter left O'Donnell unsure if she had the tea party darling's backing. A day later, Palin elaborated on her support in a race that proved embarrassing to the GOP establishment.

Nine-term moderate Republican Rep. But O'Donnell, who had run before, capture tea party momentum and dealt him a surprise defeat in the Republican primary. Party leaders walked away from the race; Democrat Chris Coons solidly trounced her on Tuesday. Similarly, Palin helped tea party-backed Angle win the nomination in Nevada over a former state party chairwoman.

Republicans who once saw a potential pathway to unseating Sen. No matter, though. Her backing of Tea Party favorite Joe Miller propelled him to the ballot in a primary for Senate and past incumbent Republican Lisa Murkowski, whose father Palin beat to become governor.

Murkowski ran as a write-in candidate. The outcome of that highly unusual race could take days to determine. All year, Palin and re-elected Sen.

There were some losses, too. Palin endorsed at least 41 House candidates who were on the ballot Tuesday. Thirty-five of those races had been decided, out of which 22 of her picks won and 13 lost. Even though she holds no political office, Palin has emerged as a formidable voice in national politics. Palin's endorsements helped candidates like Haley and O'Donnell defeat Republican establishment favorites in the primaries.

She has positioned herself as a de facto Tea Party leader, aligning herself with influential groups like the Tea Party Express. On Tuesday, she urged Republicans to come together with Tea Party candidates moving forward. The desire is for a smaller, smarter government. Palin, admired by many conservatives, is not viewed favorably by a large segment of the American electorate.

Does the White House interpret her trip as a first step in a run for the presidency? Asked whether Obama viewed Palin as a potential threat for , Gibbs said Obama did not spend much time thinking about The Republican lineup for will start forming late this year and in early