After putting her "One Nation" bus tour on hold in June, Sarah Palin is driving back into the political limelight this weekend, with a headline-grabbing appearance in Iowa coinciding with a straw poll of Republican activists and a debate between presidential candidates.
By popping up in Iowa at a time of maximum visibility – with the Washington press corp gathered to report on the straw poll – Palin will reignite speculation about her own presidential ambitions.
In an email sent to supporters of her SarahPAC fundraising political action committee, Palin announced:
We are very happy to jump back on the bus for another leg of our One Nation Tour! We accept with gratefulness an invitation to meet folks at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines this week.
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.
In a grossly weakened economy – especially when recovery is thwarted by today's Obamanomics – prudent Americans make sensible decisions to live within their means. This includes seeking affordable participation in more community events, local patriotic parades, and traditional all-American venues like state fairs. State fairs hold a special place in our nation's history and heritage, so my family is honored to highlight one of them on one stop along the One Nation Tour route - America's historic Iowa State Fair! (I'm also excited to try some of that famous fried butter-on-a-stick, fried cheesecake-on-a-stick, fried twinkies, etc. I'll enjoy them in honor of those who'd rather make us just "eat our peas"!)
Although Palin does not mention any dates, the Des Moines Register reported that local Republicans said Palin is to visit the Iowa state fair in Ames on Friday – the day after the Republican presidential contenders hold a debate televised on Fox News. Since she's not a candidate, Palin had not been invited to take part in the debate.
On Saturday, Iowa Republicans hold a high-profile straw poll of the candidates at the state fair. Although Palin is not officially named on the ballot, her supporters can write in her name.
Also on Saturday – in Charleston, South Carolina – Texas governor Rick Perry is expected to make his first announcement of a presidential bid, before visiting New Hampshire and Iowa over the weekend.
Palin's One Nation tour was launched with much media fanfare at the end of May in Washington DC but appeared to grind to a halt shortly after a visit to Portsmouth, New Hampshire on 3 June.
Since then Palin has kept a relatively low profile in Alaska, other than attending the premiere of the documentary Undefeated about her political career in Alaska – prompting many to assume that she had given up on a bid for the Republican presidential nomination.
