More Scenes from the Iowa State Fair                                                      back

Photo by Julie Kent, volunteer at Iowa Pork Producers
August 12, 2011--Still teasing a possible presidential run, former Gov. Sarah Palin managed to upstage the declared candidates at the Iowa State Fair.  Palin revved up her on-again, off-again "One Nation" bus for a stop at the Fair—conveniently on the day that most of the candidates were there.  Reporters scrambled to figure out where Palin was (see for example Des Moines Register political columnist Kathie Obradovich's account of her "frantic dash").  Palin started at the cattle barn, and was surrounded by a media swarm.  There were further reports of Palin sightings during the day, and she wrapped up the visit with a Sean Hannity interview.

Here is what Palin posted about her visit:

It was wonderful to be back in Iowa today to visit the historic Iowa State Fair! Thank you for the invitation and tremendous hospitality, Iowa friends. We had the opportunity to meet more great Americans from the heartland and talk about the issues confronting our country today and the sort of leadership we need to move forward. Iowans have big hearts and a great deal of common sense, which makes visiting here all the more inspiring and insightful. Like the majority of Americans across the nation, the good folks here know that our country is in need of a restoration of the free market and constitutional principles that have made us strong and free and will make us that again as we get our country back on the right track.

The work ethic shown here by these farm families is so encouraging. The kids involved in healthy activities like 4-H and FFA are proud, strong young Americans who’ll grow up to help feed the country and run the nation’s economic engine – our small businesses. Keep up the great work, farmers!

What an inspiring day with great Americans. Oh, and the butter cow really is amazing… as is the fried butter-on-a-stick, the fried twinkie, the pork chops, etc.!

- Sarah Palin
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