Donald Trump and Sarah Palin have something in common beyond their shared disdain for President Barack Obama or their condemnation of the “political class.”
The two outsider politicos also share a political aide.
Before Michael Glassner hit the campaign trail with Trump in late July as the billionaire’s political director, he served as a loyal aide to Palin — a connection that may have facilitated Palin’s endorsement of Trump on Tuesday.
Glassner was a top aide to Palin after 2008 Republican nominee Sen. John McCain tapped her as his running mate.
But Glassner’s journey with the former Alaska governor didn’t end with the McCain-Palin ticket’s defeat in November 2008.
Glassner remained hitched to Palin world, going on to serve as the chief of staff to Palin’s political action committee, Sarah PAC.
That connection may have helped Trump snag the endorsement of Palin, an influential figure in the tea party movement whose endorsement was also coveted by others in the Republican presidential race.
Palin stumped for both Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, two of Trump’s rivals for the Republican presidential nod, during their Senate campaigns.
Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski did not respond to requests for comment on Glassner’s role in securing Palin’s endorsement.
But Trump campaign co-chairman Sam Clovis hinted Tuesday night on CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360” at Glassner’s role in facilitating the Palin endorsement.
“Well, I think you ought to look at who we have employed in the campaign, and I think that will give you a clear insight as to how the introduction may have occurred,” Clovis said.