Sarah Palin Could Play Kingmaker Rather Than Candidate in 2012

COMMENTARY | SarahPAC will have you know that the "One Nation" bus tour is designed to "educate and energize Americans about our nation's founding principles." Voters cannot help but wonder how Sarah Palin, traveling in a bus with an exterior sporting Liberty Bell and Constitution decals, hopes to accomplish this feat. The electorate muses if this is the prelude to a presidential campaign for the Republican nomination.

Sure enough, SarahPAC is urging supporters to dig deep into their pockets and offer "generous donations" to the cause. Then again, Palin is mum on the issue of a 2012 run. She has been pressed by the media, which asks "why are you traveling to historical sites?" Her response: Americans must learn about the foundation that this country was built on. Only in so doing is it possible to travel through the currently challenging times that the United States experiences. A good answer; but is there more to the story?

The bus tour made it to Seabrook, N.H.; Boston, Mass.; New York, N.Y. and Philadelphia,Penn . While on tour, she has spoken to Greta van Susteren and Sean Hannity. What raises eyebrows even higher -- and has folks speculating more seriously about a possible run -- is her willingness to chime in on any subject ranging from foreign policy to the national debt. Perhaps there is more to this bus tour than merely an educational trip; Palin is educating America about herself, her opinions and conservative politics.

"She wants to see how this nation was built and get fired up about that," SarahPAC's treasurer, Tim Crawford, told the Washington Post.

What about the "Ride for Freedom" along the National Mall this past Memorial Day? Planned and executed by Rolling Thunder, Fox News claims that Palin made a surprise appearance and was not formally invited. Speculation ran rampant that her appearance on a Harley was the prelude to a campaign stomp speech that never materialized.

To be fair, Rolling Thunder does invite all and sundry to come along on its freedom rides; the group says "all supporters welcome" and assures would-be participants that they "do not have to be a member of Rolling Thunder to ride." Palin fit the bill, and perhaps really felt moved to show her support on this day.

Let's recap: Palin is traveling in a patriotically adorned tour bus to see the sights of America's heritage. She felt moved to support the Memorial Day motorcycle ride of a highly respected veterans' organization. So far, there is no hint of a political campaign for 2012.

The scales tip a little when taking a look at the fundraising letter -- posted May 16 by the Washington Post -- in which she urges supporters that it is time to take back the White House. Portraying the mid-term elections as a step in the right direction, "now you and I must fix our eyes on 2012," it is interesting to note that Palin is not soliciting funds for herself or a Palin 2012 committee. Rather, she vows to support "commonsense conservative candidates."

Then again, the letter specifically mentions her wanting to lay a foundation -- could this be the hint at a possible run? One thing is for certain: Sarah Palin has mastered the art of getting her name in print and leaving the electorate guessing. Her gamble is setting Gallup pollsters on fire. If the Republican electorate can be believed, 15 percent favor her, as compared to 17 percent who like Mitt Romney better. This figure puts her ahead of Ron Paul, Newt Gingrich and Tim Pawlenty.

Even if she does not take the plunge for a 2012 campaign, she is positioning herself nicely to play kingmaker and then -- assuming that President Barack Obama will win reelection -- she has the clout, connections and poise to run for the 2016 nomination.