DUBUQUE – Sarah Palin will formally launch her campaign for the 2012 Republican presidential campaign with an afternoon rally Monday at this city's Grand River Center, a traditional meet-and-greet spot for contenders in Iowa's first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses.

With caucus night barely three years away, it's not too early to get started. And Palin -- whose ambition is such that she claimed she "did not blink" when asked to join a national ticket after serving a mere twenty months as the governor of the relatively remote state of Alaska – is offering every indication that she is ready to run.

Officially, of course, Palin's Dubuque stop is supposed to finish off the difficult 2008 campaign of the Republican ticket on which the governor has run with Arizona Senator John McCain.

But why sweat minor details?

Palin certainly isn't.

The governor was asked during an ABC News interview whether she was thinking about running for president in 2012. Instead of dismissing the notion, she said, "I think that, if I were to give up and wave a white flag of surrender against some of the political shots that we've taken, that would bring this whole … I'm not doing this for naught."

That sparked a wide-ranging debate about whether the GOP's vice presidential nominee was "going rogue."

A chastened Palin sent her spokesman around to tell reporters that the governor was actually trying to say that she would be campaigning in 2012 for the reelection of the McCain-Palin administration.

Unfortunately, that line did not occur to Palin when she was asked whether she was preparing for a presidential run of her own – a subtlety that has reportedly infuriated McCain loyalists within the campaign.

The truth is that Palin and her closest aides are thinking 2012. They know she's the star of the party's 2008 campaign, as opposed to an often listless McCain.

The crowds that Palin has been drawing on her own – often exceeding 10,000 –- just serve to highlight the discussion about when, not if, the governor will make her move for a place at the top of the ticket.

Her trip to Iowa, a state where Democrats Barack Obama and Joe Biden maintain a wide poll lead over McCain and Palin, will only stoke the speculation.

The remaining question: Will Palin be endorsed by McCain?

The all-but-certain answer: No.

Comments (46)

1. George Bush, Sarah Palin, ..Donald Duck..

   Posted by Jabski at 11/02/2008 @ 5:19pm

2. Watch as soon as Palin announces the REAL "depth" of support she has.

   Hard Righties won't stick with her...guarenteed.

   The main reason being...nobody likes a loser.

   Posted by Maskdelta at 11/02/2008 @ 5:23pm

3. Mask, if Obama wins I think you'll see the two players on the McCain ticket distance themselves from each other faster that a speeding snowmobile. Pointing fingers all the way.

   I thought the headline read: Palin Heads to Iowa for 2012 Campaign Lunch. Same difference.

   Posted by jackwells at 11/02/2008 @ 5:40pm

4. Obama will determine if Palin has a political future or not.

   Posted by freiheit1 at 11/02/2008 @ 5:43pm

5. Is this a joke?

   Posted by smmerino at 11/02/2008 @ 5:51pm

6. Watch as soon as Palin announces the REAL "depth" of support she has.

   Hard Righties won't stick with her...guarenteed.

   The main reason being...nobody likes a loser.

   Posted by Maskdelta at 11/02/2008 @ 5:23pm

   It really depends on who runs in '012

   Huckabee, a Bobby Jindal, or Palin. Any of those 3 are just fine with me.

   Posted by lvliberty1 at 11/02/2008 @ 6:00pm

7. Heaven help us.

   I just wonder what it is REALLY that the apparently insane leadership of her party (one of her parties?) believes she and her people will deliver for them.

   Posted by A_Pax_On_Your_Houses at 11/02/2008 @ 6:23pm

8. I just wonder what it is REALLY that the apparently insane leadership of her party (one of her parties?) believes she and her people will deliver for them.

   Posted by A_Pax_On_Your_Houses at 11/02/2008 @ 6:23pm

   1. lower taxes

   2. prevent a liberal congress from implementing Fed funding of abortion.

   3. prevent a liberal president from surrendering our sovereignty

   4 appt originalist justices to SCOTUS

   5. peace thru strength

   6. stop Universal Health Care

   7. Get the Fed out of Education

   8. Real energy answers that include domestic drilling, renewables, and nuclear

   9. continue to keep our military strong and prepared

   Seems like a good 1st 4 years for a conservative president.

   But with a far left Congress:

   Wield a heavy veto pen, and stay on the bully pulpit to the American people.

   Issue an executive order for drilling in Alaska and our coastal areas under the president's national security authority.

   Posted by lvliberty1 at 11/02/2008 @ 6:42pm

9. How real is this? Can you offer some substantiation, please?

   Posted by pluto19 at 11/02/2008 @ 6:43pm

10. Huckabee, a Bobby Jindal, or Palin. Any of those 3 are just fine with me.

    Posted by lvliberty1 at 11/02/2008 @ 6:00pm

    Yeah, Larry, any dominionist nut case will do with you, eh? I'm just curious. Is it the possibility that you can live on the dole if a theocracy happens and tithing to, say, ministers like you, for example, were to become law? Or are you more into the end times crap, Armageddon and all of that? And before you try the obvious here, Larry, most of us know that it sure isn't the morality.

    Posted by jmusolino at 11/02/2008 @ 6:57pm

11. It would obviously be great for Democrats if the Republican Party went into a Christian-Right/Values death spiral. Sarah Palin is obviously willing to become the face of the "New Republican Party." (This brings up the old evil or stupid question). With hispanics, asians, african-americans, and younger voters begining their long-term committment to a party, all trending Democratic, it would be silly to let someone like Palin define your party. Don't forget though, Democrats let McGovern/Carter/Dukakis "brand" them for 20 years as losers. I'll be watching with a smile. Go Sarah 2012! And 2016! And beyond!

    Posted by Hamiltonian at 11/02/2008 @ 7:04pm

12. Yeah, Larry, any dominionist nut case will do with you, eh? I'm just curious. Is it the possibility that you can live on the dole if a theocracy happens and tithing to, say, ministers like you, for example, were to become law? Or are you more into the end times crap, Armageddon and all of that? And before you try the obvious here, Larry, most of us know that it sure isn't the morality.

    Posted by jmusolino at 11/02/2008 @ 6:57pm

    Not that facts matter to you, but I've stated before that I do not endorse or approve of dominionist theology.

    I don't want a theocracy in the US. Nor will there ever be one (except one day under the Anti-Christ).

    I am in to proclaiming Jesus as Ha Maschiah, Jesus our Christ, the Messiah and Lord. Proclaiming His message of hope, of new life, now and eternally; of caring for others as if to Him (not by govt coercion, but freely, out of genuine love); of seeing people set free from the bondages and addictions to drugs, alcohol, relationships, sexual immorality, depression, and oppression.

    None of your snide remarks and vitriol will change who I am, and the Jesus I love and serve.

    I just saw my latest grandchild last night (number 8). His name is Micah ( it means who is like YHWH), and he is beautiful. So even your hate will not disturb my joy.

    Posted by lvliberty1 at 11/02/2008 @ 7:14pm

13. lvliberty1 : Republicans haven't lowered taxes, they've just shifted the tax burden to the middle class and to state and local governments--hence huge property and sales tax increases that are a disproportionate burden to the working-class and the middle-class. Bush dug us into a fiscal hole. Do you know what we're paying in just interest on the debt. I bet you don't. How's about $451 billion for this year alone.

    Banning abortion--just like Brazil, Argentina and Colombia ban the practice yet their abortion rates are two to three times higher than in the U.S! Stop universal health care? Our health care system is ranked 36th in the world in quality, and we're already paying for the uninsured: $1,000 on the average family's plan goes to cover uninsured patients and we lose $150 billion dollars a year in lost economic productivity because the uninsured or under-insured people with no access to care care are too ill to work. That's much more than it would cost to cover the uninsured. Why is our health care system so bad? It's because in a for-profit system there's no incentive to keep patients healthy and well because then hospitals, HMO's, insurance companies and the pharmaceuticals won't make any money!

    Energy? With all those tax cuts, who's going to pay for a nuclear power plant that costs $10 billion a pop? A Bush-like military? As Wendell Berry states so eloquently, "We cannot hope to be secure when our government has declared, by its readiness "to act alone," its willingness to be everybody's enemy" Conservative ideology has failed us completely.

    Posted by profpaul at 11/02/2008 @ 8:01pm

14. i'm afraid rev. larry isn't quite ready for wendell berry.

    perhaps the words of genghis khan are more his style:

    "I am the flail of god. Had you not created great sins, God would not have sent a punishment like me upon you."

    Posted by frosty zoom at 11/02/2008 @ 8:22pm

15. "I am the flail of god. Had you not created great sins, God would not have sent a punishment like me upon you."

    Posted by frosty zoom at 11/02/2008 @ 8:22pm

    Just before the sacking of Baghdad?

    Posted by yutsano at 11/02/2008 @ 9:03pm

16. Y---a---w----n-----

    Lef rite lef rite

    John McPain: "Often my haste is a mistake, but I live with the consequences without complaint."

    -suspends campaign

    -Paaalin

    -fire SEC chairman

    -"She has been commander in chief of the Alaska National Guard. Fact.

    -Czechoslovakia still exists, Iraq and Pakistan share a common border, Shiites and Sunnis are interchangeable blocs of the Iraqi people, Somalia and Sudan have traded places, and Vladimir Putin is the president of Germany.

    ----------> MY FELLOW PRISONERS

    Posted by winyahn at 11/02/2008 @ 9:05pm

17. *Vladimir Putin is the president of Germany.*

    Germany has a president? Someone should inform Chancellor Merkel!

    Posted by yutsano at 11/02/2008 @ 9:07pm

18. If you haven't heard the taped conversation between Palin and the French President, (Montreal radio hosts) ... you've got to pull it up on YouTube!!

    Believe me, if you ever in your wildest imagination considered this women could/should be considered for national office ... this should help you make up your mine.

    That Palin has a group of losers handling her is one thing, but that Palin never figured out that the call from the French President was fake after talking to the radio host for 7 long minutes is just unbelievable.

    I mean really ... if I were an Alaskan resident I would be embarrassed.

    Write a book Sarah. You can do a series on how to kill and field dress a campaign.

    Posted by Hoot at 11/02/2008 @ 9:24pm

19. Your conclusion is wrong. McCain already DID endorse her for presidency by giving her a VP position at age 72. So, Obama 08 or bust!

    Posted by dragan at 11/02/2008 @ 9:57pm

20. You can do a series on how to kill and field dress a campaign.

    Posted by Hoot at 11/02/2008 @ 9:24pm

    and that takes guts.

    Posted by frosty zoom at 11/02/2008 @ 10:26pm

21. "The crowds that Palin has been drawing on her own – often exceeding 10,000 –- just serve to highlight the discussion about when, not if, the governor will make her move for a place at the top of the ticket."

    well, bon jovi sells out shows, too.

    Posted by frosty zoom at 11/02/2008 @ 10:28pm

22. New USA Today poll just released -- Obama up by 11%

    Posted by leftofcenter at 11/02/2008 @ 10:41pm

23. "The crowds that Palin has been drawing"Posted by frosty zoom That purple crayon has been busy!

    Posted by A_Pax_On_Your_Houses at 11/02/2008 @ 10:59pm

24. Posted by lvliberty1 at 11/02/2008 @ 6:00pm

    But, Larry, if it's Palin you have to keep going back on that "Women should stay at home with their young children, not ABANDON THEM to a career" dogma.

    Without her, you get to cut back on atleast one hypocrisy!

    Posted by Maskdelta at 11/02/2008 @ 11:37pm

25. If you haven't heard the taped conversation between Palin and the French President, (Montreal radio hosts) ... you've got to pull it up on YouTube!!

    Posted by Hoot

    I only saw this once on MSNBC or CNN, can't remember which, and then it died out.

    They should have that Borat guy go and interview her.

    Posted by koroviev at 11/02/2008 @ 11:42pm

26. Oink Oink.

    Posted by mikecope at 11/03/2008 @ 12:02am

27. Posted by lvliberty1 at 11/02/2008 @ 7:14pm

    You see, Larry, that's one of your problems. You presume that pointing out your own hatred of others is in itself hate. That's called projection, and it's something you do a lot of. Frankly, Larry, I don't hate you or Christians (a claim you've made too many times) - not even the phony ones who, given the circumstances would call for the execution of Jesus of Nazareth were he to reincarnate into this period of history. However, I will continue to point out to you the utter hypocrisy of your claiming to follow the words of someone whose very utterances are in 180 degree opposition to the manner in which you see the world. Larry, you don't give a rat's ass about the poor, about, frankly, most of the 6+ billion inhabitants of this planet, people whom you would see dead or tortured if that should serve your interests, or the interests of American corporations. Whom would Jesus kill,Larry? Whom would he torture? I've asked you that before and never gotten an answer. And Larry, you do favor a theocracy - one in which your opinions are shoved down everyone else's throats. And again, I wonder if it's for the ego, the money, the anger, or some combination thereof. As I've mentioned, I know some genuine article Christians, the ones who walk the walk every day of their lives, the ones who actually minister to those less fortunate than they, the ones who actually believe in peace instead of hate and vitriol. The ones who are the apparent opposites of those like you.

    So, Rev, let me ask you again. Whom would Jesus of Nazareth deprive of basic human rights? Whom would he torture? Whom would he kill?

    Posted by jmusolino at 11/03/2008 @ 01:18am

28. Failin' Palin would be the perfect opponent for Obama.

    But a gentleman up in NYC may have other ideas.

    And he's no dummy.

    Krugman writes today of the GOP rump -- pathetic rear-end -- of reactionaries & racists that's now up for grabs, as it were, headless, brainless, a vacuum.

    And Mike Bloomberg has spotted it.

    Hence, Mike's damn-the-shortterm-consequences in NYC, Mike needs a public platform to hold him spotlighted till '12.

    Who else could & would himself write a $1+ billion check for the GOP nomination & presidential election ... only Mike Bloomberg.

    And when you're worth upwards of $15 billion, $1B is almost bupkes.

    After struggling mightily with the catastrophic Bush/GOP legacy -- GOP Owners fighting real reform inch by inch, count on it -- Obama will be challenged by a little white knight with a huge checkbook, purveyor of a message of Economic Messiah. "If I could make billions for myself, I can make billions for you."

    Mike, the savior of rich reactionaries. Not a pretty sight.

    Posted by sloper at 11/03/2008 @ 01:21am

29. Mike, the savior of rich reactionaries. Not a pretty sight.

    Posted by sloper at 11/03/2008 @ 01:21am

    Three problems I see with this scenario Sloper:

    A) He was pushed by several external forces to throw his hat into the ring this election cycle and resisted. To have a sudden change of heart after four years of Obama/McCain (yes I hedged my bets there) unless one of them is a unmitigated disaster will cause some huge blowback.

    B) He was originally a Democrat then became a Republican for convenience, then when it no longer suited him he dropped the Elephants. To suddenly come back to the fold smacks of opportunism and cynicism, and I don't think the standard bearers of the GOP are likely to tolerate that on a national level.

    C) He's a middle of the road Jewish Noo Yahker who made his fortune telling others how their money is doing. Can you honestly see him being sold to Bible-thumping Elk Snout, Kansas dwelling regular folk?

    The money would be a nice perk but really that's about all Bloomberg has going for him right now. The move to basically override the will of his constituents to allow himself to run for a third term might just bite him in the butt.

    Posted by yutsano at 11/03/2008 @ 01:44am

30. So, Rev, let me ask you again. Whom would Jesus of Nazareth deprive of basic human rights? Whom would he torture? Whom would he kill?

    Posted by jmusolino at 11/03/2008 @ 01:18am

    Well, I've answered numerous times that I do not support or endorse torture, but that seems not to be clear to you. Perhaps because your arrogance and smugness gets in the way.

    Nor can you cite where I have ever called for depriving anyone of basic human rights.

    As to killing, when He returns in judgment against satan, he will execute justice on all evil and those who commit it. And He has given authority to govt's to execute justice now agains those who commit evil (Romans 13). Or perhaps you think that murderers, rapists, jihadists, and others like them are just misunderstood victims of society, deserving sympathy instead?

    Posted by lvliberty1 at 11/03/2008 @ 01:48am

31. "'Kill the beast! Cut his throat! Spill his blood!'"

    Posted by frosty zoom at 11/03/2008 @ 02:47am

32. "They were glad to touch the brown backs of the fence that hemmed in the terror and made it governable."

    Posted by frosty zoom at 11/03/2008 @ 02:47am

33. "There were no words, and no movements but the tearing of teeth and claws."

    Posted by frosty zoom at 11/03/2008 @ 02:47am

34. Bill Clinton, George Bush, Sarah Palin in 2012, Donald Duck in 2016... Toby Keith in 2020?

    Posted by argentinagnome at 11/03/2008 @ 03:03am

35. I really do not think that Governor Palin is going to be a force in the "New" Republican Party! If Obama is elected, it will open the doors for other minority Candidates that are rising stars with real political futures! The real "essence" of this years elections is the "outing" of the "Old Guard" which is long overdue-We might have the "Oldest" Congress on Record as far as average age and they are literally getting carried out on a stretcher rather than getting voted out1 The voting machines have been getting replaced but the Candidates have hung in there since the Edsel and some since the Model T! Sorry John, but it's the truth and you know it! Let's give up on Viagra and get some new blood in Congress along with a new President!

    Posted by RITEON at 11/03/2008 @ 05:56am

36. McCain already put his complete lack of judgment on display for all to see by picking the wrong person to run with him. According to most polls she is a drag on the ticket. So where do people really think she is going to be the 'new face' of the Republican Party???? They are already fast getting the reputation of being the party of religious extremist's. Nothing like putting the 'kiss of death' on the whole mess! It couldn't happen to a more deserving bunch!

    Posted by ganddw42 at 11/03/2008 @ 10:15am

37. The main reason being...nobody likes a loser.

    Posted by Maskdelta at 11/02/2008 @ 5:23pm | ignore this person | warn this person

    Can't you just see it now...."Sarah has studied real hard over the last 4 years via home schooling in Wasilla, and now she is ready. Sarah challenges all comers to Jeopardy with categories limited to domestic and international politics." This is Sarah before, and this is Sarah after. No way.

    Failed candidates don't have a real good track record on rebids for the same position....like you say, this is a winner take all game.

    Posted by OneVote at 11/03/2008 @ 10:20am

38. "Germany has a president? Someone should inform Chancellor Merkel!"

    Technically, "Yutsano," Germany DOES have a president -- called the "Bundespräsident." But your point is well taken -- he's certainly not Vladimir Putin. Presently, he's Horst Köhler, and he belongs to the same party as Chancellor Merkel.

    The Bundespräsident is the German Chief of STATE ("Staatsoberhaupt"), and as such has a largely ceremonial role. The BundesKANZLER (whom we know as the "Chancellor"), presently Angela Merkel, wields the real power in German politics as the Chief of GOVERNMENT ("Regierungschef").

    Posted by JakobFabian at 11/03/2008 @ 10:34am

39. I only saw this once on MSNBC or CNN, can't remember which, and then it died out.

    They should have that Borat guy go and interview her.

    Posted by koroviev at 11/02/2008 @ 11:42pm | ignore this person | warn this person

    Very curious on how this is getting wide play overseas but apparently quickly buried by the media here at home. I haven't seen anything out there refuting it by McCain/Palin yet. Even the Anchorage Daily News posted the audio of it yesterday. Maybe they figure this is pesky interference by Canadians in our domestic elections eh?

    Posted by OneVote at 11/03/2008 @ 11:24am

40. Palin 2012?

    Where do I send the check?

    Posted by crabwalk at 11/03/2008 @ 11:45am

41. Posted by lvliberty1 at 11/03/2008 @ 01:48am

    A better question with LVLIB is...

    Who Would Jesus NUKE?

    (on "winning" the Korean War)

    "3-5 nuclear weapons against China and a threat to Russia to keep in line or they would have been next would have given the world a much better opportunity for peace than we have seen as a result of not letting MacArthur achieve the victory that we should have."----Posted by LVLIBERTY1 01/10/2007 @ 4:32pm

    Posted by Maskdelta at 11/03/2008 @ 12:10pm

42. I knew once we elected Reagan it was only a matter of time until we got the chimp. I just didn't think we could keep going downhill.

    Posted by Kloefkorn at 11/03/2008 @ 1:49pm

43. The Republican's have a habit or rewarding ghosts from the past. Geoge H Bush, Bob Dole and John McCain. It's as if the good ol' boys club honors those who stick it out and fall into line. If Obama does win tomorrow the Republican's will really need to shake things up. The era of the grey haired old white male party will need to change.

    Sarah Palin is that change. This election showed that you can call up the ghost of Ronald Reagan but to the new generation of voters that doesn't mean anything. Sarah Palin has four years of being groomed by the party to run a solid campaign. Not being a fan of hers I do admire how she did get the Republican base to woot her on at campaign rallies.

    That hockey mom will be back.

    Posted by wehojoel at 11/03/2008 @ 1:52pm

44. That hockey mom will be back.

    Posted by wehojoel at 11/03/2008 @ 1:52pm | ignore this person | warn this person

    Let us hope so. But with her own comedy show.

    http://machinist.salon.com/blog/2008/11/03/montreal/

    http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=6168777&page=1

    Posted by OneVote at 11/03/2008 @ 2:04pm

45. There is no model in the history of American politics for which the VP nominee on a losing ticket has ever been politically resurrected. Not likely SP-- who makes Dan Quayle look presidential -- is going to alter that trend line. Ms Palin is the political equivalent of a wind sock who has spent a couple months in a very blustery climate (and with a lot of smoke blown up her designer skirt) but the storm is about to pass, and the impending calm will leave her hanging from the pole -- limp, sagging and impotent. I think she'll be lucky if she hangs onto her Governorship at this point, given how unpopular she has become after her national, fast track vetting which has humiliated Alaska's electorate. And then there are those pesky ethics, possibly criminal, issues lying in wait when she and Todd return to Wasilla. That said, she clearly has no plans to fade away, and with such rampant, unbridled narcissism -- does anybody really think she cares if her fame comes by way of holding political office? A show on FOX will do just fine. Or maybe she can sell a line of eyeglass frames or Moose meat on QVC?

    What John McCain/Dr. Frankenstein wrought upon himself by picking Sarah Palin destroyed any chance of him winning the White House. That's the epic mistake he'll have to live with. What he wrought upon the country with this nit-wit is something we all have to live with now. But as far as her future impact politically (?) she is about as relevant as Joe the plumber, or George the former president. Sarah Palin, aside from being a punch line for generations to come, is now just a simple cautionary tale... in one act. Or will be by Wed morning, when her campaign jet turns back into a pumpkin.

    Posted by MVByrne at 11/03/2008 @ 2:21pm

46. LOL mask... I guess Jesus would Nuke(according to Lv) anyone who dosent agree with him..?? But im sure (absolutely) that the religious right believes GOD himself had a hand in creating the A bomb to help defeat the Godless masses...

    Lv... please respond to these allegations...

    Posted by Vvf1969 at 11/03/2008 @ 8:00pm