Palin Takes Steps Toward 2012

(via The Wall Street Journal)

Sarah Palin is taking more steps that are sure to fan speculation about her possible 2012 presidential ambitions.

The Republican Party of Iowa announced that the former Alaska governor will headline its Sept. 17 Ronald Reagan Dinner – a chance to reach the GOP faithful in the first state to hold a presidential nominating contest.

And just before President Barack Obama faced the cameras for his Oval Office speech on ending combat operations in Iraq, Palin posted a Facebook column that scolded Obama for opposing then-President George W. Bush’s surge of U.S. troops in 2007. Palin and many others credit the surge with stabilizing security in Iraq.

“Had we followed the course advocated by then-candidates Obama and [Joe] Biden, the Iraq war would be remembered now as a crushing defeat for the United States and our allies,” Palin wrote.

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Palin has taken several steps lately to shape her public image as both a leading opponent of Obama and a challenger to the GOP establishment. On Saturday, she appeared at Glenn Beck’s rally in Washington, and she promoted the long-shot candidate who appears to have defeated GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Palin’s home-state rival.

Though it is clear that some of these steps will fuel talk that Palin is serious about a 2012 bid, they may also help sell books. As the promo on Palin’s Facebook page reminds us, she has a new one coming out in November.

Too bad she couldn't beat Meghan McCain to the punch, eh?