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Title: Palin kick-starts bus tour on back of motorcycle (Rolling Thunder)
Source:
Yahoo/AP
URL Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110529/ap_on_el_ge/us_palin
Published: May 29, 2011
Author: PHILIP ELLIOTT
Post Date: 2011-05-29 15:42:40 by Hondo68
Keywords: an East Coast tour, posed for pictures, gave a thumbs-up
Views: 2187
Comments: 7
WASHINGTON – Sarah Palin rumbled through Washington on the back of a Harley as she and her family began an East Coast tour Sunday that renewed speculation the former Alaska governor would join the still unsettled Republican presidential contest. Wearing a black leather jacket and surrounded by a throng of cheering fans, Palin and family members jumped on bikes and joined thousands of other motorcyclists on the Memorial Day weekend ride from the Pentagon to the Vietnam Veterans' memorial. Palin didn't mention politics as she visited with participants, but she smiled broadly when many in the crowd urged her to run. "How do you wear all this leather and stay cool?" she asked one woman as Palin took off a leather jacket and worked her way through a crush of fans, photographers and reporters. Palin remains one of the biggest questions for Republicans, who have not yet settled on a frontrunner to challenge President Barack Obama's re-election. While many of Palin's likely rivals have worked to build campaign organizations in early nominating states such as Iowa or New Hampshire, Palin has taken no concrete steps to begin a presidential campaign. Given Palin's star power, she might be able to wait longer than others. But clock is ticking, the establishment isn't happy with its options and one of the earliest tests of campaign infrastructure, the straw poll in Ames, Iowa, is scheduled for August. Palin showed no hints she would join the field on Sunday although she again demonstrated her ability to build excitement and practice person-to-person, retail politics. In heels and black flair slacks, Palin shook hands and posed for pictures with well-wishers. Just before she, husband Todd and daughter Bristol rolled from the Pentagon's parking lot, she gave a thumbs-up to a military police officer who asked if he could snap a picture while taking a break directing traffic. On the windshield of Palin's bike: a likeness of President George W. Bush. Next to it, the words "Miss Me?" Palin, whom Sen. John McCain elevated from an obscure governor to national star, set off from Washington on a tour of East Coast historical sites. Her political committee billed the swing as an opportunity for her family to visit historic sites as they worked their way to New England. It set off speculation she would visit New Hampshire, a state that holds the first nominating primary and a place Palin hasn't visited since the final days of the 2008 campaign. Many of her potential rivals were scheduled to visit New Hampshire in the coming week. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney was expected to make formal his bid during a noon barbecue on Thursday. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani was set to speak at an evening fundraiser for the state GOP. Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman — who also rides bikes — is set to spend the weekend working through the state's rural North Country. Others could still up the race. Texas Gov. Rick Perry on Friday hinted he could come. Former New York Gov. George Pataki is running television ads in New Hampshire and speaking out against Obama. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has insisted he's not running; his supporters don't believe him. Palin, who resigned the governor's office before completing her first term, has worked to keep a national profile. She's a contributor to Fox News Channel, a best-selling author and reality television star. Her poll numbers have steadily sunk, however, and Palin in recent weeks has made changes to her insular circle of advisers. Palin also has taken no evident steps toward the on-the-ground organizing that's central to a real campaign. Yet as she walked through the steamy Pentagon parking lot in her heels and short-sleeved black T-shirt, it was obvious she still has her fans eager to snap pictures and get her signature. Poster Comment: 
AP – Sarah Palin, former GOP vice presidential candidate and Alaska governor, arrives at the beginning of … 
The Skipper lunges for Todd, but is blocked.
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#1. To: ALL, 'Motorcycle Mamas' No Sure Thing For 'Mama Grizzly' Palin (#0)
By Erika Bolstad McClatchy Newspapers WASHINGTON — Motorcycle mamas, it turns out, aren't a sure vote for mama grizzlies — if those mama grizzlies are even running for president. Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin roared into Washington Sunday on the back of a Harley Davidson motorcycle, to a considerable amount of skepticism from the 2012 voters everyone wants on their side: independent women. Palin hasn't said whether she's running for president. But she used the annual Rolling Thunder motorcycle rally for veterans to kick start a multi-state bus tour that will wend its way up the East Coast to New Hampshire, the site of the nation's first presidential primary. Voters such as sisters Nancy McGilton, 50, and Kathy Boivin, 55, had their doubts Sunday about the woman who shot to fame after Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., picked her as his vice presidential running mate. Taking turns posing for pictures at the rally in McGilton's black leather motorcycle vest, the sisters said that about all they had in common with Palin was their mutual support for those serving in the military. "I'm not a big fan of hers," said McGIlton, of Springfield, Va. Both she and her sister are independent voters, and from the suburbs of northern Virginia, a state President Barack Obama turned from red to blue in 2008 and helped propel him to victory. Also skeptical was Katherine Blauer, 63, of Arlington, Va. As she and her husband watched the bikes roll over the Memorial Bridge from Arlington Cemetery toward the Lincoln Memorial, Blauer, an independent who voted for Obama in 2008, said she'd like to see New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg in the race. "I think she does a disservice to women," Blauer said of Palin. "She doesn't show the critical thinking you would want in a president. Hillary Clinton or Sarah Palin? C'mon." Women will have an unprecedented role in the 2012 presidential campaign, and not just as candidates. Two women are potentially running for the Republican nomination: Palin and Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., who's expected to make it official next month. And Democrats, worried about the slide they saw from the 2008 to 2010 elections, when exit polls show that independent women moved away from the party, have vowed to pay attention to women's concerns of women. U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., is Obama's surrogate-in-chief and has vowed that she'll do everything she can to hold on to the advantage Democrats traditionally have among female voters. They'll be laying the groundwork "for what will be an unprecedented, robust aggressive presidential campaign and the outreach to women," Wasserman Schultz, just appointed to head the Democratic National Committee, said. "The fieldwork, the mobilization of women, the active involvement of women is going to be unprecedented," she said. It remains unclear, however, if Palin is even in the race — or whether the bus tour is merely about building her already formidable brand. Recent polls show her at the top of the Republican race, along with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, and she told Fox News Channel that she had "fire in the belly" for a presidential bid. She's also set to release "The Undefeated," a flattering documentary by conservative filmmaker Stephen Bannon, next month in Iowa, the site of caucuses that are the nation's first presidential contest. MORE... http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/05/29/2241505/motorcycle-mamas-no-sure-thing.html
Never swear "allegiance" to anything other than the 'right to change your mind'!
Palin has taken the lead at sucking up Harley emissions.
Obama's watch stopped on 24 May 2008, but he's been too busy smoking crack to notice.
I'm glad you're back, BriBri. [snicker] We need the kind of quality postings only you can provide.
war has to do something for entertainment. The voices in his head aren't speaking to him and his imaginary friends have found reasons not to come over anymore.
I think that's yukon.
it was nearly 100 degrees here today, she's from Alaska, why on earth would she wear a leather jacket?
"Thats because your basically and idiot." She seems to like the dominatrix look.
At least she wasn't wearing chaps.
Obama's watch stopped on 24 May 2008, but he's been too busy smoking crack to notice.
'Motorcycle Mamas' No Sure Thing For 'Mama Grizzly' Palin
#2. To: Brian S (#1)
"We (government) need to do a lot less, a lot sooner" ~Ron Paul
#3. To: Brian S (#1)
#4. To: hondo68 (#0)
The Skipper lunges for Todd, but is blocked.
#5. To: hondo68 (#0)
Badeye posted on 2011-04-29 10:30:22 ET
#6. To: go65 (#5)
#7. To: go65 (#5)
why on earth would she wear a leather jacket?
"We (government) need to do a lot less, a lot sooner" ~Ron Paul
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