Palin bus tour to roll into Iowa
(CNN) - After a more than two-month hiatus, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is planning to crash the presidential party once again with a heartland-themed re-launch of her "One Nation" bus tour this week in Iowa, according to a Palin fundraising email obtained by CNN.
Palin is bringing her Constitution-draped bus to the Iowa State Fair, just 30 miles south of where the Republican presidential field will take the stage on Thursday for a presidential debate in Ames.
It's not yet clear which day the tour begins, but her surprise arrival in Iowa will happen before the closely watched Ames straw poll. Palin is not on the straw poll ballot.
According to a video link included the fundraising solicitation for Palin's political action committee, Sarah PAC, it appears the bus will also take Palin to Missouri and Illinois to visit the respective hometowns of former presidents Harry Truman and Ronald Reagan.
"The heartland is perfect territory for more of the One Nation Tour as we put forth efforts to revitalize the fundamental restoration of America by highlighting our nation's heart, history, and founding principles," Palin wrote in the email.
Sarah PAC Treasurer Tim Crawford would not provide more the details about the tour.
During the opening act of her bus tour in May, Palin toured historical sites along the East Coast, grabbing countless headlines along the way and stealing a share of the political spotlight from former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who announced his presidential bid in New Hampshire at the same time her bus was driving into the state.
Federal paperwork reveals that her political action committee shelled out nearly $20,000 on the tour this spring.
The bus tour sequel adds even more drama to a blockbuster political week in Iowa, which holds the first contest in the presidential nomination fight.
Along with the debate and the make-or-break straw poll, most of the Republican candidates are slated to deliver stump speeches this week at the Iowa State Fair on the Des Moines Register-sponsored political soapbox.
And on Sunday, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, a Palin ally who is on the verge of joining the 2012 race, will make his Iowa debut at a Republican fundraising dinner in Waterloo.
Palin's re-emergence in Iowa just hours before the debate is a reminder that the 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee intends to remain part of the presidential discussion as long as possible, despite being largely dismissed by party insiders.
While polls show that Republicans harbor doubts about whether she should run for president, Palin would undoubtedly be a factor in the GOP primary thanks to her popularity among conservative activists and a knack for attracting media attention.
A Gallup survey out Tuesday showed that Palin generates more enthusiasm among GOP voters than most of the candidates already in the race. And as Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour recently put it, "she could raise enough money to burn a wet mule."
Her advisers have long emphasized that such star power gives her the ability to delay a decision about joining the race until after Labor Day.
Palin has pointed to September as a loose deadline for making a decision about whether she will seek the GOP presidential nomination.
There is also anecdotal evidence that Palin has the potential to shake up the Republican race in Iowa.
Despite having no formal campaign infrastructure in the state, hundreds of supporters turned out in June to catch a glimpse of Palin when a sympathetic film about her rise to power debuted in Pella.
She has plans to return to the state over Labor Day weekend for a Tea Party rally in the Des Moines area.
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Between Sarah and Michell, the country is in good hands for 2012 to happen. I don't believe in that predicton but the appearance of this duo in the American political sky is making me rethink.
As a republican, my life would be about 1000% happier if Palin just went away... as an American, she's an embarrassment.
Anybody, liberal or conservative, who doesn't think Palin could win the GOP nomination is fooling themselves.
Winning the general election against Obama is a different story, but Palin has very strong support among the exact same people who happen to make up the GOP primary electorate. Who would beat her? Romney? Bachmann? I don't see it.
The Republican nomination is hers for the taking, the way I see it. She just needs to ask herself if she wants it badly enough that she is willing to guarantee Obama a second term, because that would be the result.
McCain created this monster. This lady is an avid attention whore without an agenda. She embarrasses America. Make it stop – please.
(heavy sigh) It's back!
YAY! Finally, after days of losing thousands in the market, comes some news to cheer me up! Please Run, Sarah. We Dems are countin' on ya, baby!
True Republicans wanted to negoiate. The Tea party refused and claimed nothing would happen.
Sarah, what have you done?
....oooooh....we're really scared of the quitter from Wasilla. Whatever CNN. Slow news day much? The DOW Industrial average is tanking because of the European markets, et. al. Ms. Palin interests me not much. Good night!
WHO is theRE?
Eventually, even the Tea Party will turn their back on tbhis pathetic loser.
Please Please Please media people dont give her any attention. She figures she did this same stunt with Romney in NH and now she is going to pull it again in Iowa. When will American media stop giving her ground????
What is wrong with this woman?!? She seems quite indecisive!
Who cares?
Party POOPer!!!
Palin's surprise announcement–The Tin Women has finally found her brain. Nah, the hunt for her elusive brain continues. She's just going to steal the thunder from yet another GOP event. You'd think the GOP candidates would get pretty tired of that, but I guess they are as afraid of the Tea Party (Palin being their Queen), as the GOP in Congress. The Republican's do not lead, they cower behind their puppet masters.
"Palin is bringing her Constitution-draped bus..."
Too bad she doesn't have the time/comprehension to read/understand what's written on her bus.
and this a surprise to anyone? the media matron is coming to where the media is now since she is just a private citizen, just the reporting of it should cost her some money as it's just advertizing. Another reality show?
She will not succeed, Obama will stay in power again...reminds me of Hugo Chavéz. He can talk all day long, pobre vieja y pobre presidente!
She'll probably run her bus into the ditch on the way there. Isn't that what the republicans are good for? But like any carnival that comes to town, Iowa could really use a good side show. Come see "Sarah the Talking Bobble Head"! Wearing non-nonprescription glasses and keeping my hair in a bun makes me look and feel smarter...I hope the lemmings are buying my act...need to cash another check at the bank.
O... I don't know... I kinda hope she runs... it is such good fodder for those of us who have had so few things to laugh about since W and his special english skills. Sarah and her special 'thinking' about family values and what America SHOULD be doing. Too bad she can't stay home and keep an eye on her sexually active kids...
The last time Palin went on a bus tour she claimed to be on a trip with her daughter, loooool
School will soon be starting for all kids.
What will she come up with this time!? Haaaaahaha....
I'm sure there will be no shotage of bs stories coming from palin.
Did anyone really think this attention whore would miss an opportunity to throw herself in front of a camera?
Missy Palin, the quitter gov of Alaska, is such a whacko
This woman does not have a brain in her head.
She could never hold a candle to our intelligent Pres Obama.
Obama in 2012!!!
I liked the comment, "Huge waste of gas." Has anyone asked her why she is wasting time, money, and gasoline to drive around the country like she is in such tough economic times. Shouldn't she be working so that she can help rebuild the country she loves?
What is so great about elections is it brings all the nuts out who think they can become president. We get to hear their ideas and laugh our butts off. It is the best stand-up routines in the business. It is too bad this does not happen more often. Too bad Jay Leno and David Letterman screw it up with their lame attempt at being funny.