Palin’s Iowa stop spurs talk of presidential run
By MIKE GLOVER, THE ASSOCIATED PRESSArticle Photos
SIOUX CITY - Former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin greeted hundreds of admirers in Sioux City on Sunday, fueling speculation about a possible presidential run in 2012.
Iowa's caucuses traditionally kick off the presidential nominating season, and Republican strategists saw the stop in Palin's national book-signing tour as a signal not to be missed.
''No politician comes to Iowa by accident,'' Republican strategist Tim Albrecht said. ''Every politician knows the implications when they set foot here.''
As with other stops on Palin's book tour, the event was tightly controlled with photographers allowed in briefly and reporters banned. Palin arrived about 90 minutes late and didn't speak publicly, other than to greet the crowd.
''Thank you guys very much,'' she said to those gathered to watch her arrival.
Stan Millage of Sioux City began waiting in line at 4:30 a.m. to get his book signed.
''She's a down to earth person who will fight against the government,'' Millage said. ''I can see her out there fishing with the guys. Plus, she's hot.''
Other supporters also described Palin as down to earth and someone they thought might lead the country someday.
''I think she's one of the few individuals who can whip Congress into shape,'' said Grant Buldhaupt, who drove nearly four hours from Des Moines. ''She's conservative, and she can stop the runaway government spending.''
Iowa's Republican caucuses have been increasingly dominated by social and religious conservatives like Palin. Many strategists noted that her book-signing event was in Republican-dominated western Iowa, which would likely be her base if she ran.
''In Iowa Republican politics, the more populist and religious conservatives are in control,'' Drake University political science professor Dennis Goldford said. ''They adore her.''
But some questioned whether Palin could turn her star appeal into votes in a state where face-to-face campaigning has usually played an important role.
Republican strategist Eric Woolson worked for Democrats early in his career, and he saw some comparisons to the campaign of former Sen. John Glenn. The former astronaut drew huge and admiring crowds when he ran for president in 1984 but that didn't translate into votes.
''They went to see John Glenn the astronaut, not John Glenn the Democratic candidate for president,'' Woolson said. ''A tremendous amount of her appeal is as Sarah Palin the celebrity, as opposed to Sarah Palin the potential 2012 nominee.''
Steve Scheffler, head of the powerful Iowa Christian Alliance said many people were attracted to Palin because ''they like Republican leaders who call a spade a spade.''
But, he said, the former Alaska governor still has a lot to prove.
''Her biggest challenge will be to convince people she's got the depth to be a successful president,'' he said. ''In the perilous times we live in, people are going to want to know if she's up to snuff.''
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bertmers
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12-08-09 1:21 PM
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slappy, were you in line with the other sheeple @ 4:30am to get her autograph???? merry x-mas
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Butler
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12-08-09 8:39 AM
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Here is my bet to you people, if Palin runs in 2012 she will win the Iowa Republican Caucus. Any takers?
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happygolucky
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12-08-09 7:25 AM
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I see that "grad' is back bad mouthing my Lord. Do you exchange gifts or put up CHRISTMAS decorations? Notice that CHRISTMAS start with the name CHRIST? "Grad" Jesus is the reason for the season. AMEN
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bertmers
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12-07-09 8:27 PM
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This event also shows you how hard up Iowans are for some celebrity time. My goodness are you kidding me. No wonder she would get a false sense of herself with all these Iowa sheeple milling around. LOL
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Johnny
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12-07-09 3:08 PM
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HEY! I vote GOP quite a bit, proud to say I lost the last election! That being said, Palin has shown that she has the IQ of a bag of hammers. Anyone that would throw money away on a run at president for her should have their head examined.
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jefffro
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12-07-09 10:09 AM
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The GOP deserves someone like Palin. I hope they run her every year for the rest of her life!
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Johnson
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12-07-09 10:01 AM
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She holds no appeal for me; my wife is not only better looking, but one heck of a lot smarter.
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ljustsayin
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12-07-09 9:29 AM
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And then halfway into her "presidency" she would hold a press conference and announce she's quitting...cuz it's just too hard....or her family needs her....or the press is just too mean....this woman is a KOOK. Good looking, yes, good speaker, yes. Bottom line KOOK. Presidential material NEVER.
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Butler
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12-07-09 8:11 AM
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Because George Bush wasn't stupid enough for you Republicans now you want Sarah Palin. And you people say liberals hate America....'She's a down to earth person who will fight against the government,' Millage said. 'I can see her out there fishing with the guys. Plus, she's hot.' and from our own resident herkeye "You can't deny she would the best looking president ever!"...Yes true qualifications to be President of the United States.
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herkeye
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12-07-09 2:54 AM
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You can't deny she would the best looking president ever! God loves everyone...right priest? Even Sarah.
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