When I first heard that Trump had a special guest” and endorser at his Ames, Iowa, rally tonight, I thought: maybe Jeff Sessions. It turns out to be someone far more consequential in evangelical and Tea Party circles–and therefore in Iowa politics–Sarah Palin. When I read the disparaging remarks of Cruz’s campaign manager, I thought: poor guy: he’s made a mistake. It turns out he’s made a big mistake. See Bristol Palin, and Cruz’s attempted walk-back. So beloved is Palin, indeed, that her endorsement of Trump and her campaigning for him–not to speak of the negative Cruzite reaction–could  enable a Trump victory in the caucuses.