PJ: Palin's penchant for making headlines seems to know no bounds. With articles accompanied with photographs of the photogenic politician, the world's media is enjoying an unusual look at American politics with one of the front runners for the GOP nomination. This time dressed in black leather on back of a Harley, Ms. Palin is gracing the covers of newspapers around the world. Not since the gorgeous Mara Rosaria Carfagna of Italy turned the heads of the international press has the world's media fallen over themselves to show an unusual side to politics. It may not be the typical picture of an American presidential candidate but it's really not an 'only in America' phenomena.
Hurriyet Daily News
Palin kick-starts bus tour on back of motorcycle
Sarah Palin rumbled through Washington on the back of a Harley motorcycle as she and her family began an East Coast tour, renewing speculation that 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 Sunday, 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. When one man asked her if she was running, she smiled and answered, "Don't know."
Palin, the party's 2008 vice presidential candidate, 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 the clock is ticking, the party 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 the person-to-person, retail politics that she clearly loves. In heels and black flair slacks, Palin shook hands and posed for pictures with well-wishers.
"How do you wear all this leather and stay cool?" she asked one woman. Palin asked others to show off their tattoos as she took off her own leather jacket and worked her way through a crush of fans, photographers and reporters.
On the windshield of Palin's bike: a likeness of President George W. Bush. Next to it, the words "Miss Me?" And on her hand, the words "justice rolls" were written in smeared ink.
Palin didn't take questions from reporters and, in keeping with her social media strategy, offered her thoughts on her political website. "There's no better way to see D.C. than on the back of a Harley!" Palin wrote. "My family may be used to snowmachines more so than motorcycles."
Aides and advisers to Palin were not releasing a schedule for the trip and refused to offer guidance. Instead, they pointed to the website of Palin's political action committee, which is prominently collecting donations ahead of the end-of-June fundraising quarter.
Palin's trip set off speculation she would visit New Hampshire, the state that holds the first nominating primary and a place Palin hasn't visited since the final days of the 2008 campaign.
Many of Palin's potential rivals were scheduled to visit New Hampshire in the coming week, including another favorite of the anti-tax, libertarian-leaning tea party movement: Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota. 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 a fundraiser for the state Republican Party. Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, Obama's ambassador to China - who also rides motorcycles - is spending the weekend working through New Hampshire's rural North Country.
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=palin-kick-starts-bus-tour-on-back-of-motorcycle-2011-05-30
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