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
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
I thought we were over her. She's played.
She does not want to take tough questions – she never does. She hides behind Facebook.
She sure is pretty! Betcha she'd look good during the bathing suit part of the election contest.
Did her advisers actually say "star power"? Her star burned out back in Alaska when she couldn't even finish one term as governor. She's a weak candidate with no redeeming qualities.
Oh, come on! People are actually taking this clown's possible run for president seriously? She has less chance than a turnip of getting elected, and she doesn't actually want to hold office, anyway – she proved that by dumping her governor gig as soon as she saw she could make more money elsewhere. Sarah is not interested in public service... she's interested in self-service. That makes her a standard Republican, but more blatant than most. She's just making "I might run for president" noises so she'll get attention and make more money. It's just a game she's playing with the public, like Charlie Sheen's "craziness."
What's sad is, she's exploiting the hopes of a lot of silly people out there who actually think she should run. She's stringing them along... but, they're evangelicals, and they should be used to the GOP playing them for fools by now.
At the rate they're going, it doesn't look like any other potential presidential candidate is going to enter the 2012 Republican primary race by this fall.
She is not running for president. She is just milking all the media attention she can get.
People who succeed do
so as a result of doing
what others won't do.
The McCain camp fought
Palin and lost the election.
She wanted to go to states
that McCain advisors had
written off. McCain lost the
election because of himself.
She said she's a maverick.
The biggest difference in Palin
and all the other candidates is
she walks the walk and the
others just talk the talk.
Palin doesn't look at polls
before she gives an opinion.
She's got guts and she will
be the candidate for the
conservatives in the next
Presidential election.
And all you libs are afraid
of that. But that's just tough.
When polled ONLY ...13%..... of Americans believe Palin is capable of being president. Again 13%. Don't waste your time Palin.
WTF (and it's NOT "Win the Future") – Sarah has "...star power and built-in following among some grassroots conservatives..."?????? But the MAIN question is – how many followers????
Sarah Palin is NOT running for President!!! Even if she DOES, she is NOT running!! It's a GAME and a way to make money and travel – that's IT!!!!! Sorry followers!!!!
The Iowa GOP Chair says of Sista Sarah and other candidtes," 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." Sarah Palin can do that but the people of Iowa will have to pay her min. $1,000.00 speaking fee for her to open her mouth. Well Sarah Palin thinks that anyway. Poor Sarah. She's the only IDIOT in the world that thinks she is smarter than the average bear.
Doesn't really matter. Palin doesn't have a prayer's chance in hell of winning anything. Strategy? Palin doesn't even know what that is nor the brains to have one. This is a woman who hated being governor of a sparsely populated state. Why would anyone think she would want to be president? She is just a publicity addict who want to see her dumb face and unintelligent statements plastered everywhere. It would be best if the media would just stop reporting about her and let her disappear.
While Sara is not the brightlest light in the harbour, waiting to annouce her intentions is smart. She sees her popularity is sinking with all but her most ardent supporters. By the time she needs to announce her plans, there won't be an instrument small enough that could her support.
That's why she's not here Bucko, she's afraid of the 'tough' questions!~
Wait until she finds out that Iowa won't give her a "speaking fee" or reimburse her travel expenses. Also, there are no complimentary "bendy" straws.
She is looking more and more like beavis fro beavis and butt head
Palin's "risk" happens every time she opens her mouth!!
Actually not. She can sit back, continue to rake in a ton more dough making inane comments that she doesn't have to clarify or defend, and wait for all the other Republican players to wear each other out. She may not be too bright on foreign or domestic policy, and she hasn't demonstrated good leadership skills, but apparently that no longer matters.
"... giving Iowans the opportunity to ask you the tough questions."
Yeah! Rrrrrrrrright. Like THAT'S going to happen with this Wasilla Imbecilla
Strawn's reference to the "tough questions" sums it up. She can't even answer simple questions. Why waste the Iowa citizens time with this individual? She's not, nor will she ever be, leadership material.
but she doesn't like to answer tough questions!
She quit as Governor and lost on the GOP ticket in 08. What a HORRIBLE calling card to become president.
Quitter/ Loser 2012 !!!!!!
When would CNN and the rest of the MSM stop presenting this dingbat as a viable presidential candidate? The woman does not know the difference between North and South Korea; that Africa is a continent; that she did not give birth to her down syndrome baby, how could she possibly be President?
In Jack Nickleson voice: "She can't handle the tough the questions"
I HOPE SHE WINS..
I know that is the worst fear for the GOP..