Sarah Palin’s venturing out of Alaska a lot this week.

First, the former vice-presidential candidate flew to Washington to dine with President Obama and other DC elite for this weekend’s Alfalfa Dinner. Now comes word that the governor’s attempting to use her power to influence a vote down in Texas. The lawmaker this week sent a letter to the "Texas Federation of Republican Women" asking them to reelect Gov. Rick Perry in their forthcoming primary. While that’s news in and of itself, the story becomes especially intriguing when one considers Perry’s competition: Kay Hutchison.

Rather than backing the woman on the ticket, Palin urged voters to back the "true conservative." Writes Palin: "He walks the walk of a true conservative. And he sticks by his guns — and you know how I feel about guns." Palin doesn’t mention Hutchison by name, but does highlight Perry’s right-wing stance on abortion: Not every child is born into ideal circumstances, but every life is sacred. Rick Perry knows this — it is at the core of his being." Though Perry’s camp and Palin are hoping the remarks will help sway voters, others predict these efforts will have little resonance.

Taffy Goldsmith, a Hutchison supporter who once led the Federation, explains, "There is a lot of admiration for Gov. Palin and what she has done both in her own state and to energize the party. But women in this organization are so state-oriented and so well-grounded they will base their decisions on what they know, not what somebody else recommends."