Three years ago today at 1226 EDT, Presidential Candidate John McCain introduced former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to the world. While some of the conservative cognoscente knew who she was and advocated for her to be McCain's running mate, Gov. Palin was unknown for most of us until that moment. Instantly, the unknown Gov. Palin became a household name and remains so today. Palin blogs and websites were few and far between that day. Likely not a single site with "4P" in its name existed then. Today, over 100 dedicated Palin sites support Gov. Palin and possibly an equal number of hate sites try to destroy her.

Three years ago today, I caught her speech a few moments after it begun as I left my employee lot to get a Gatorade lunch. I did not know her name. I did not know what she looked like. In the two blocks I drove before I had to pull over to the side of the road, Gov. Palin - SARAH - rocked my world, divided my calendar, and got a political observer active. I heard the spirit of President Reagan resurrected in a woman's body. The first great leader we had seen in a generation was emerging. That day, Gov. Palin stole my heart. She finished the job not even six weeks later, when she signed it in Bethlehem, PA, once again rocking my world and dividing my calendar.

Gov. Palin has accomplished much in these three years. To simply link to all them would fill over 100 pages. In her final seven months as Alaska's Governor, Sarah Palin accomplished more than seven of New York State's governors had in 50 years. When she selflessly stepped down to stanch the flow of frivolous ethics complaints, Gov. Palin's trajectory soared even higher.

She authored two books, hosted an eight-part documentary series on her home state, was the subject of a full-length feature movie, became a sought-after speaker commanding top honorarium, and is a Fox News contributor. She conducted humanitarian missions in cholera- and earthquake-wracked Haiti and in Alabama following devastating tornadoes. The former Alaska governor has raised over $120,000 for wounded soldiers, walked for autism, and the March of Dimes, among others. During her final seven months as Governor, Sarah Palin coordinated and led an airlift to distressed villages in remote western Alaska, sacrificing the political primping and priming, champagne and caviar of the 2009 CPAC conference. The little children to whom she personally distributed supplies were far more important than the Washington DC elites. Around that time, SarahPAC was born. Soon, SarahPAC - which did not yet exist three years ago today - may become far less important, being supplanted by a Presidential campaign.

Since becoming a private citizen, Gov. Palin has traveled to Hong Kong, Canada, India, and Israel. In Israel, Gov. Palin met and broke bread with Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu. She is arguably the only private citizen who met, dined and spent a substantial amount of time with a head of state in recent history. Though Gov. Palin has long been an energy expert, she honed her acumen in economics and foreign policy over these past three years. Her writings have been featured in the Wall Street Journal.

Gov. Palin could announce her candidacy for the 2012 Presidential election any time now. Some had speculated it would be today. I think it will be a time, place, and method of her choosing. Regardless of when she ultimately announces her decision, now is a good moment to reflect on what brought us here in the first instance:

Where were you when...Gov. Palin shattered a glass ceiling with her sonic boom?

Governor Palin today posted on Facebook:

We join the Libyan people in gratefulness as we hear of Col. Gaddafi’s defeat. The fall of a tyrant and sponsor of terrorism is a great day for freedom-loving people around the world. But the path to democracy in Libya is not complete, and we must make wise choices to ensure that our national interests are protected.

First, the White House needs to avoid triumphalism. Gaddafi may be gone, but the fighting may not be complete. As we’ve seen in Kosovo, Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan, we must not celebrate too quickly. There are now mounting concerns that we will see tribal and sectarian fighting in Libya like we saw in Iraq. Let’s hope that is not the case, but it must be prepared for.

Second, we must be very concerned about the future government that will emerge to take Gaddafi’s place. History teaches that those with the guns usually prevail when a coalition overthrows a tyrant. We must remember that military power ultimately resides with the rebel commanders. This should be a source of some concern. The armed opposition to Gaddafi is an outgrowth of a group called Islamic Libya Fighting Group, and some rebel commanders admit that they have Al Qaeda links. The rebel fighters are from different tribes, and they have a variety of political views. Some are Islamists, some appear to favor some sort of western democracy. We should work through diplomatic means to help those who want democracy to come out on top.

That said, we should not commit U.S. troops or military assets to serve as peacekeepers or perform humanitarian missions or nation-building in Libya. Our military is already over-committed and strained, and a vaguely designed mission can be the first step toward a quagmire. The internal situation does not seem stable enough for U.S. forces to operate in a purely humanitarian manner without the possibility of coming under attack. Troop deployment to Libya would mean placing America’s finest in a potentially hostile zone that is not in our vital national security interest.

Finally, we must make sure that terrorist groups don’t try to co-opt the revolution, as Al Qaeda is trying to do in Syria. We should continue to use our intelligence assets to monitor the situation in Libya to ensure that potentially dangerous weapons are secured, and that terrorist organizations such as Al Qaeda don’t gain a foothold in Libya.

People of Libya, be vigilant. May this opportunity be used to build a free and peaceful country.

- Sarah Palin

Retrieved from: http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150274863408435.

Three years ago DC pundits predicted with glee the demise of Sarah Palin's political career. This past weekend their tune changed, citing false information that she has made a decision and set a date regarding a future campaign. Any professional pundit claiming to have "inside information" regarding Governor Palin's personal decision is not only wrong but their comments are specifically intended to mislead the American public. These are the same tired establishment political games that fuel the 24 hour news cycle and that all Americans will hopefully reject in 2012, and this is more of the "politics-as-usual" that Sarah Palin has fought against throughout her career.

PS - Kudos to CNN for setting the record straight, and including Governor Palin's own words

As published at SarahPAC: Setting The Record Straight: Wrong & Misleading

 

A week later we are still remembering all the great patriotic Iowans we met at the state fair. We are also still trying to work off that delicious fried butter on a stick and red velvet funnel cake. I look forward to being back in Iowa in Indianola on September 3rd. Enjoy SarahPAC's latest video and thank you Iowa!

- Sarah Palin

As published at SarahPAC: Thank You Iowa!

Craig Christy, 47 and Shawn Christy, 19 of McAdoo, Pennsylvania were arrested yesterday on federal charges for continuing to harass the Palins in violation of a restraining order barring them from contact, Reuters reported. That restraining order had been extended for six months this past May. The Christys called the Palins from August 1 through August 9, triggering the charges.

Craig and Shawn Christy made an initial appearance on Thursday in U.S. District Court in Allentown, Pennsylvania, following their arrest, Assistant U.S. Attorney Retta-Rae Randall said.

No bail was set during the hearing and the two men will be transported to Anchorage, Alaska, for further proceedings, Randall said.

The father and son duo had been harassing and threatening the Palins and Kristan Cole, and made threats against Obama and Senator John McCain, according to widespread media reports. The Christys stalking included vulgar calls to Gov. Palin’s home; sending the Palins receipts from a gun purchase and telling them of his intent to purchase a one-way ticket to Alaska. Shawn Christy in fact made a brief round trip to and from Anchorage at a cost of $700 around the time of Gov. Palin’s birthday. Shawn Christy also threatened to rape the former Alaska Governor.

H/T Greta Van Susteren, GretaWire for story lead.

"Does it matter where he is? Why bother making promises and spewing platitudes? Economies are crashing, markets are crashing...Obama is absent from reality...and burying his head in the proverbial sand and tickling his feet," Governor Palin said tonight about the President's planned 10-day vacation to Martha's Vineyard on Greta Van Susteren's TV show. The former Alaskan Governor was broadcasting from her home studio in Wasilla, Alaska. She said perception is bigger than reality and Obama's vacation shows lack of leadership.

Van Susteren said Americans typically look to our sitting President for leadership and inspiration, even if they don't agree with him politically.

"We need empowerment of individuals, small businesses, and families," Gov. Palin said. Obama's "ideology is one of big centralized government planning the economy and making decisions for us."

Gov. Palin said "investors are taking money out of the market," adding that Obama's promise due 10 days from now will likely involve more spending and borrowing. "Government is not the answer to the problem."

She recounted how conservative governors such as herself vetoed portions of the trillion-dollar stimulus package, because it came with "fat strings attached to big, centralized government. It was not good for the Tenth Amendment and our sovereignties." Gov. Palin predicted that Obama would attempt another stimulus package upon his return from Martha's Vineyard.

She said the Tea Party "is a good model for Congress to follow." Most Tea Partiers have never been involved in government or politics before and many are independents. "We need to make common-sense decisions about the economy so we don't go bankrupt," she said.

Gov. Palin said Sen. Hatch is doing well "in terms of trying to get a balanced budget." She added that the Tea Party needs to "embrace his ideas for a balanced budget," something he has been purusing for decades.

In discussing Secretary of State Hillary Clinton calling for the Syrian president to step down, Van Susteren observed that Clinton looked Presidential - more so than Obama. Gov. Palin said that while she cannot speak for liberal Democrats, she suspects that today they would have voted for Hillary in the Democratic primary rather than Obama.

Gov. Palin said Obama is "leading from behind. What does he desire to do as the leader of the free world? Very strange goings on."

When Obama campaigned on the rhetoric of "fundamental transformation," three years ago, Gov. Palin said people now should understand what he meant. "2012 can't come soon enough!"

Gov. Palin reflected on her gubernatorial inaugural address in which she said, "you can't put faith in an individual. Government cannot make you happy, wealthy, or wise. We have to look within ourselves and create our own jobs. Let's hire people. Be prudent, but be bold. Plan ahead. don't wait for the elite bubble in Washington, D.C.

Regarding the September 3 Tea Party rally to which she was invited, Gov. Palin answered Van Susteren's question about her Presidential candidacy decision. "I'm still contemplating. I'm determined to get this country on the right track. You don't need a title to make a difference and you don't have to hold an office to make a difference. I'm living proof of that," she said.

Gov. Palin's 8/18/2011 Greta interview pt 1 of 2 retrieved from SarahNET

Gov. Palin's 8/18/2011 Greta interview pt 2 of 2 retrieved from SarahNET

Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin tonight discussed the economy and the 2012 Presidential race on Lou Dobbs from her home studio in Wasilla, Alaska.

Fmr. Governor Sarah Palin on the Economy, 2012 Presidential Race retrieved from Fox News

Restoring America Rally Changes Venue
Flier

"The Iowa-based event hosts of the Restoring America Rally with Sarah Palin on September 3rd have decided to move the venue to a nearby location that better accommodates every eventuality. While the Hawkeye Antique Acres was a wonderful location, concerns had arisen with parking, especially in the event of inclement weather.

The new location–the Indianola Balloon Grounds just south of Des Moines–has all of the quintessentially rural charm of the original site, but none of the logistical challenges.

The event will still be held from 11 to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Labor Day Weekend, September 3rd, 2011.

An updated flyer announcing the event–with the site change information–has been distributed. We continue to encourage everyone who can to attend this historic event. Note that this new location is close enough to the original site that any travel plans should not be affected.

We’ll be keeping you informed with our new series, Road To Indianola.

Governor Palin today posted on Facebook:

We spent a very moving day in Kansas City, Missouri, where it’s easy to remember what really matters, because here we have the National World War I Museum and Liberty Memorial.

The Liberty Memorial Tower is dedicated “In honor of those who served in the World War in defense of liberty and our country.” Reading the many memorial inscriptions while standing in the rain was a somber and humbling reminder of the sacrifices young Americans made nearly a century ago in distant battlefields so far from home. So many of them never returned from those fields in France and Belgium. Yes, it was a somber, real, significant moment reading those words about the honor in one’s dedication to God and country.

The main inscription on the memorial reads: “These have dared bear the torches of sacrifice and service. Their bodies return to dust but their work liveth evermore. Let us strive on to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.”

I took the above photo of Piper and my niece McKinley with the memorial in the background. It brought home to me what this “One Nation Tour” is about. It’s about the duty we have not just to the living, but also to the dead and to the generations yet to be born. Our founders called us the “heirs of freedom,” and as such we have a duty to those who have already paid the price for us to live in freedom, and we have a duty to those who will come after us.

Our freedom was purchased by millions of men now long-forgotten throughout our history who charged the cannons, ran into bayonets, suffered in the trenches, and gave their lives so that we could live in relative comfort doing what we feel led to do. We can’t squander what they gave us or what the next generation expects from us. This is why visiting these historic sites and bringing your children to see them is so important. This is why I wanted to bring my own children with me to show them our history and remind them that America’s children will carry the torch of freedom one day.

Now it’s back to Alaska for the start of the school year. (And, of course, our annual visit to our own state fair where Piper looks forward to clogging on the Blue Bonnet Stage!) While kids crack open their school books, I look forward to continuing my own writing and research on strategies and plans to help move our country forward.

We will be back on the road soon, for on September 3rd we’ve been invited to a big Tea Party “Restoring America” rally in Waukee, Iowa. We hope to see many of you there as we gather to discuss the direction of our country and the way forward with our fundamental restoration of all that is good and strong and free in America. You can click here for more information on the event.

Thank you all for your support and for sharing this leg through the Heartland of the “One Nation Tour” with us.

With an Alaskan heart,

Sarah Palin

 

Retrieved from: http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150266426883435.

These photos were taken by Piper Palin as the One Nation Tour travelled through Illinois on Saturday, August 13th.

Thanks Piper!

As published at SarahPAC: Piper's Pics!

We had a wonderful morning touring the Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Illinois. About a year ago, I was honored to give a speech before the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. for the Restoring Honor Rally. Standing in the shadow of that massive monument to the Great Emancipator might make one forget that this heroic leader came from very humble beginnings in what was considered at the time a very remote part of the country. In fact, the east coast establishment long dismissed Lincoln as just a frontier political figure, and he never really won over that establishment. But it was as a "prairie lawyer" in Springfield that Lincoln honed the oratory and debate skills he used to persuade and inspire his fellow Americans in freeing the slaves and preserving our Union. These heartland roots are what made him who he was.

It was truly inspiring to learn more about this great man from those who tend to his legacy with such devotion. We learned a wealth of information about the Civil War, the Emancipation Proclamation, and Lincoln’s life. Many thanks to the professional staff, volunteers, and historians at the Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum for all they do to preserve this important aspect of American history and educate future generations.

- Sarah Palin

As published at SarahPAC: Land of Lincoln

 

As published at SarahPAC: Lincoln Museum - 08/14/2011

Good morning from Springfield, Illinois!

We had another great day yesterday traveling through the Midwest. We stopped to walk in the footsteps of Ronald Wilson Reagan at his alma mater Eureka College, enjoyed fried chicken at a local restaurant that “Dutch” frequented, and crossed on a few dirt roads following field after field of corn and soybeans.

Our country is an extraordinarily beautiful place.  But the people here are everything.  As Reagan said, “The most valuable lesson I learned at Eureka is that every individual makes a difference.” Individuals can make a difference. We have to.

The gritty, humble strength of America’s heartland is on display in the places we’ve visited the last few days, where individuals work together to pull resource and bounty from our land. We’ve met so many great people who are committed to their community and united by strong values and love of country.

Thank you Eureka, Dixon, and all the places we stopped at yesterday.  This trip continues to inspire at every turn.

- Sarah Palin

P.S.  Congratulations to all those who participated in Ames yesterday.

As published at SarahPAC: Good Sunday Morning!

 

As published at SarahPAC: The Ronald Reagan Museum and Eureka College - 8/13/2011

  As published at SarahPAC: Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home & Lowell Park - 08/13/2011