There are only a couple of big names left to enter the 2012 Republican presidential race. And, although they all generate some excitement, no decision on whether or not they're running generates quite the buzz former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin does. Fueling speculation that she will run was her recent "One Nation" bus tour and the premiere of her documentary "Undefeated" in Iowa, the first primary (caucus) state. Adding a little more fuel was daughter Bristol, according to Reuters, who told Fox News before the premiere Tuesday in Pella that her mother had made a decision about a 2012 run for the presidency.
"She definitely knows," the eldest daughter offered when asked about her mother's thoughts on the matter.
However, that was all she would say about it after adding that her mother's decision would remain within the family for the time being.
And Sarah? When asked about her daughter's comment before the premiere of the documentary, the family matriarch said, "It's a tough decision, it's a big decision to decide whether to run for office or not. I'm still contemplating."
After the movie, she told reporters she still had plenty of time to make a final decision, then added: "You don't need a title, you don't need a political position" to be involved in the political process.
Palin, who has long been touted as a certain Republican candidate for president in 2012 since exploding onto the national political scene as Sen. John McCain's 2008 vice presidential running mate, has toyed publicly with the idea of running in the past several months. Beset by controversies and ill-timed gaffes, she has not seen much movement in her poll numbers either, causing many to speculate that she will not enter the GOP race because she can't seem to generate any voter excitement outside of her core group of supporters.
But others argue that the "One Nation" bus tour was simply a dry-run for a political campaign (for her family's benefit), that there was no reason to give the bus tour a name (otherwise it was just a family site-seeing trip) unless she planned on a presidential bid, and the release of "Undefeated" was an attempt at laying the groundwork for a presidential run in the form of image makeover.
But that is all speculation.
And so, Palin's "maybe-maybe not" game with the media continues...
The former Alaska governor is quite correct that she doesn't have to be titled or hold a political office to have an impact. Her political action committee, SarahPAC, was formed and continues to operate to support conservative candidates for various political positions.
Among other Republicans said to be considering running for president in 2012 are former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani and Texas governor Rick Perry. Although there have been many to suggest a candidacy, New Jersey governor Chris Christie maintains he will not. And former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, who said in May that his heart wasn't in it to run in 2012, has said that certain conditions could make him reconsider.
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