Washington (CNN) - Sarah Palin's advisers have long suggested that the former Alaska governor can afford to wait longer than other potential presidential candidates to enter the 2012 Republican primary race - possibly as late as the fall - thanks to her star power and built-in following among some grassroots conservatives.
But the head of the Iowa Republican Party told reporters Thursday that such a game plan could prove "risky" in his state, which traditionally hosts the first contest of presidential nomination fight.
"History would suggest that's a very risky strategy related to the Iowa caucuses," Iowa GOP chairman Matthew Strawn said during a sit-down with reporters at Republican National Committee headquarters in Washington. "The one thing that Iowans don't want to be is taken for granted."
While other potential GOP contenders have started dialing state lawmakers, reaching out key activists and making staff hires in the Hawkeye State, Palin has been largely silent in the state since headlining the state GOP's annual Reagan Dinner last September.
"There is an expectation that you're going to get the opportunity to ask these candidates the tough questions, face-to-face, whether it's in a town hall or a coffee shop or at our farm co-ops," Strawn said. "I don't see that changing this cycle. If you want the votes of the Iowa caucus goers, you need to be in Iowa asking for then and giving Iowans the opportunity to ask you the tough questions."
From CNN Politics
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Doesn't make any difference when she comes out there will be millions of us who will vote for her. Mainly because the flapping lips of Obama's followers have convinced us that the wrong corrupt person is in the White House. He eeds to go back to Nigeria where it does not require brainpower. Obamanites remember that you bashing of a person has cost him dearly.
I hope Sarah is able to pull back on the cheap, self-serving, no idea which way is up, "Circus Clown" behavior over the next several months.
If she continues to drop like a stone in the opinion of a super majority of Americans believed to be alive, she won't be able to do much damage to the chances of the republicans in 2012.
"America needs you, Sarah." "Run, Sarah, Run!!!"
Don't listen to them Sarah. You are the only chance the GOP has! Facts are irrelevant, WE matter, forget the rest.
if palin wins the presidency i'm renouncing my citizenship and moving to iran.
When Palin World collapses, and she is out on the strip club circuit, I will be in the front row. What a great country, when a stripper can be president.
Waiting to go in last in the GOP 2012 field will ensure that Palin becomes President for 2 terms! She will be our greatest president ever!
Anyone who asks Sarah Palin a tough question will quickly realize there's no 'there' there.
Why is Sarah Palin waiting???!!!!??!!
"There is an expectation that you're going to get the opportunity to ask these candidates the tough questions, face-to-face, whether it's in a town hall or a coffee shop or at our farm co-ops,"
You never know when they're going to hit you with some 'gotcha' questions.
LOL, she not a serious candidate, are you kidding the American people. She would be the laughing stock of the world!
"Star power..." Is that what presidential politics has devolved into? Half or more of the US electorate thinks politics is some TV soap or idol game. No wonder the US is in deep doodoo.
This will be an SNL special prime time when ever she decides to take "that leap" The comedy of it all will "laugh us to sleep at night,or make us all ready for the loony bin? WOW?
Sarah Palin has no risk – there is no way the republican party would nominate her – she is entertainment!!!!!!
Ms. Palin reminds me of a Mothers of Invention album called "we're only in it for the money".
She doesn't want your vote morons, she wants your money!
She probably wants to milk every last drop out of her gig at Fox Noise Channel before she enters the race. Or maybe she has had an epiphany of sorts and realizes, finally, that she doesn't have a snowball's chance in Hell to win, so why waste her time and campaign money (unless, of course, she gets to keep the money). It would be fun, though, to see her debate the other nitwits who are running, i.e. Newt, Santorum (the guy she called a Neanderthal!), etc. Oh, and that Huckabee. I so want Obama to kick his a$$, you have no idea, after his hateful, distorted commentary on Obama's upbringing. Huckabee has showed himself to be a POS. I thought it was bad enough when he made that awful remark about a noise backstage when he was speaking at an NRA gathering (of course), "Don't worry, that was just Obama. He fell off a chair when someone took a shot at him." Yeah, really funny there Huck!!
Who wants a president who continuously says: "I'll run if nobody else steps up to the plate." Everyone knows she's just milking the money cow for as long as possible. And someone tell the Tea Party the founders were mostly deists, not Christians. I like Separation of Church and State and freedom of religion!!!
Would lvoe to see here just drop off the face of the earth. SHE IS A LOSER!
she actually believes she has a chance?? NO! of course she doesnt..but she will be able to increase her star power and write another book........ Nothing but a Gold digger who actually has a following.....ONLY IN AMERICA!
Sarah who?
More humor fodder for the masses.
Sarah is toast – she self destructed. She runs against Obama and he wins. Mama Grizzily needs to go back in her den and stay there.
Waht risky? Ms. Palin ahs no chance whatsoever of becoming the president of the USA. She does not have the intellect to lead this country. So far her ramblings seem to be whatever her handlers (whoever they are) tell her to say.
Come on Matthew, wake up. Palin knows she doesn't stand a chance in hell of becoming President. So she continues to taunt you GOP idiots, knowing she can get into the race at any time, continue to haul in the dough in the mean time, keep her celebrity status alive, enhance it with running for President (really don't think she will). Did I say continue to rake in the dough? She may be dumb as a door mat but not totally stupid. It's all about the money with Palin or she would be back in Alaska taking care of her family.
Strategy has no role here. This twit could not be a viable candidate. She is milking this to the last drop, because after the 2012 election, her dull luster will fade completely away.
Does any reasonable person actually believe this woman will run for any office ever again? She is toxically disliked, she has no actual policy ideas, she is interested in nothing but the pile of cash that keeps growing out of her new career as dunce-pundit in the private sector. You really think Iowans are "waiting" on Sarah? You can't quit on citizens as governor, then ask the nation to trust you running for the highest office in the land. Palin would have to explain tons of ethics complaints against her, for starters. Obama's anti-Palin slogan: "Sarah Palin has already quit on the citizens of Alaska. How can America trust her not to quit on them?"