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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Governor Sarah Palin achieved AAA Credit Ratings for Alaska and submitted "her written budgets" ON TIME and UNDER BUDGET.
This just goes to show that P.T. Barnum was right. "There's a sucker born every minute." She has never has any intention of running and she never will. Her goal was to get rich and there are enough suckers out there to make that happen. She and Trump figured one thing out. Other People's Money is the way to riches.
Patrick
Sarah Palin.......IS THE RIGHT CHOICE!
I will take the left choice, its better for you.
If a politicain is interesting in reducing spending then they need to look into the camera and discuss which specific programs should be cut and by how much. A good place to start would be their home state. Doing this would be called leadership. However, whinning about spending and not articulating what you would cut and by how much is polical baloney. So Sarah, which programs in Alaska should the government drop? Tell us, we are waiting.
I am starting to think her favorite thing to do is annoy the GOP whenever they get together somewhere.
She's on her "You Can't Say I Quit Because I Never Said I Was Running" tour. Like Paul Revere, she's warning our enemies about us. America deserves decisive leadership, and so she's trying to decide if she should begin thinking about maybe running, or not.
Typical publicity stunt. She isn't about to run. Ol' Rupert's money is too good for her to give up.
"Oh golly gee....I didn't know there was anything important going on here. It's a coincidence that we're all here at the same time, don't cha know you bet ya."
yes please, Palin in 2012. Then the president won't even have to waste time campaigning–he'll win in a massive landslide.
Sarah Palin CUT SPENDING more than ANY OTHER GOVERNOR from Alaska. She CUT Federal Earmarks by 80%.
READ her record and you will see she was a "spending cutter like no other"......
Oh good grief....
Founders1971... and then she quit 2 years in. Clearly presidential material.
Roll on Sarah!! Roll on!! Keep everybody engaged and ready to throw the Democrats and Obama OUT in 2012. The country MUST be saved from these people.
The Rhinos better start looking out now – Sarah and the Tea Party have them in their cross-hairs. Better not say that – too violent. But's it's OK for BHO campaign to say "Kill Romney".
aahhh, yes, Palin....she's desperately trying to extend her 15 minutes, which have already lasted far too long. Go away and shut up.
Sarah Palin is a horse fart in a trendy night club.
Sarah Palin is the single greatest example of why we need to raise the bar and spend more money on education.
Don't worry, alll you Soros backed Palin haters. As soon as Perry becomes the front runner George will re-progam your computers to personally assail him. Then your "Caribou Barbie" won't be stealing your googlie eyes from Kenyon Ken any more.
GOPalin
Why does the thought of having a President who is not beholden to the special interests scare many of you?
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You really believe that, huh? This is the same woman who a few years ago was a virtual unknown. Once thrust into the spotlight she resigned as the Governor of Alaska because doing the old book writing / signing / lecture circuit paid more. She'd open up to special interests all right...hers!
Okay CNN, there's slow news days, and then there's overkill. This is the latter.
Getting this many comments can't be gaining you any money or anything...can it?
Other people were getting too much news coverage I assume? Couldn't be the money running low already....
Why couldn't she stay out of the picture for the rest of this year. I have my fill of the whole Palin clan! They have nothing to contribute that is worth publishing!
Sarah Palin is such a bonus to the GOP, FOX News, the country, and humanity. Hope her bus drives off a cliff!
She is the BIGGEST LOSER!
One thing for certain it isn't a long bus.