Sarah Palin to Newsmax: Women Candidates Have It Tougher

In an exclusive Newsmax question and answer, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin said that Republican women will be crucial to the GOP re-taking the Senate this fall and that women do face a tougher challenge as political candidates.

"The 'Mama Grizzlies' are the real driving force behind grassroots efforts like the tea party movement," Palin said by email, describing these "common-sense conservative women" who will work to "to clean up the fiscal mess in D.C."

"If you go to any local or even national tea party group, you’ll find hard-working, patriotic women getting things done," she added.

Here what Palin had to say to Newsmax:

Could 2014 be "The Year of the GOP Woman"?

"I don’t want it to just be limited to 2014."

In some races, women could end up facing each other in November — in Georgia and West Virginia, for instance. What do you say to that being a real possibility?

"That would be great. The more the merrier. It’s not as if all women candidates are exactly the same. Contested primaries and general elections produce the best results."

A number of GOP women have cited your 2008 vice presidential run as a major reason why they entered politics. What is your take on "The Sarah Palin Effect"?

"If that’s true, then it’s good knowing that everything we go through inspires others.

"I hope that my story — coming up from local office to become mayor, oil and gas commissioner, governor, and then vice presidential nominee — can inspire people who, like me, don’t come from a wealthy or politically connected background to know that they, too, can make a difference.

"And, by the way, you don’t even need a title or political office to make a difference. Just jump in."

Do you believe, as some observers have mentioned to Newsmax, that GOP women candidates face bias when it comes to media coverage?

"It’s definitely a double standard that applies to women candidates. Hopefully, as more and more women run for office, people will be less interested in what we’re wearing and more interested in what we’re saying.

"Man, I’d love the luxury of not worrying about hair and a trough full of makeup on my face. It’d save me an hour every day."

What issue can Republican women candidates use most effectively in their campaigns this fall?

"Obamacare. Women tend to make the healthcare decisions for their families. Women candidates are great at speaking in general about fiscal issues.

"It’s like Margaret Thatcher used to say when she explained that women run the household budget and understand that you have to live within your means. Women get it.

"And more women than ever are small business owners — and they definitely understand firsthand all the negative repercussions of Obama’s policies."