HEY SARAH: What's Up Witcha?? (Sarah Losing Political Pull...but still the biggest DRAW, Hmmm Wonder Why?)

Republican strategists expect Sarah Palin's influence in midterm Senate races to diminish as the primary season concludes and GOP candidates turn their attention to winning over independents in the Nov. 2 general election.

The former Alaska governor and 2008 Republican

vice presidential nominee is still projected to be a factor in a handful of races for the 11 Democratic-held Senate seats the GOP hopes to flip this fall. Republican operatives say few GOP campaign surrogates can match Palin's fundraising prowess and ability to motivate the party faithful, and demand for her presence on the trail is likely to remain steady in some contests.

But with her approval ratings among independent voters at only 34 percent, according to the latest YouGov/Polimetrix public opinion poll, Palin could be less welcome in traditionally Democratic districts and swing states where a Republican candidate's crossover appeal is crucial to victory.