Palin returns to Alaska to chants of '2012'

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Palin returns to Alaska to chants of '2012'



http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27568141/

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin answers questions at the airport in Anchorage, Alaska, late Wednesday night.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Is Sarah Palin the answer for defeated Republicans? After a historic rebuke at the polls, the Republican Party is staggering into an uncertain tomorrow with the White House and Congress in Democratic hands, no certain leader in sight and its membership divided over what it means to be a Republican.

In her hometown of Wasilla in the Anchorage suburbs, "Palin 2012" T-shirts are already for sale.

When she returned to Alaska on Wednesday night after losing the election, she was greeted at the Anchorage airport by chants of "2012! 2012!" Asked by reporters if she might run for president, Palin said, "We'll see what happens then."

Ever since her selection as John McCain's running mate in late August, Palin, the 44-year-old Alaska governor, was the star of the GOP ticket, though views of her vary wildly across the political spectrum. With the Republican brand corroded and the hunt on for the next Ronald Reagan, Palin could be one of many people competing to influence Republican ideas in the post-Bush era, maybe even as the party's leader.

"Conservatives are still looking for Mr. Right. And maybe Mr. Right turns out to be Ms. Right," said Bill Whalen, a fellow at the conservative Hoover Institution.

Palin "has built-in national stature and she's beloved by conservative talk radio," Whalen said. But "does she want to be a stay-at-home mom and a stay-at-home governor, or does she want to be a player on the national stage? She has to make a choice."

She has done little to discourage speculation — begun even as McCain's campaign faded — that she could return to the ballot four years from now.

[Sannum]

1. Is that coat from Neiman Marcus?

Wasn't she supposed to return it?

[marylanddem]

6. It certainly is a nice coat - guess she forgot to give it to charity

[marylanddem]

2. At least she'll be the best-dressed-ever governor.

[billyoc]

3. Parole in 2012, at best.

[Avalux]

4. Instead of moving to the center as they should do, the GOP will try to move the other way.

To the extreme right - with Palin as their savior. There will be an internal struggle with moderate members and the GOP will remain splintered for years to come.

Love it.

[Xipe Totec]

5. Making a silk purse from a sow's ear?

Good luck.

[LeftinOH]

7. If she is the future of the GOP, then the GOP has no viable future...n/t

[matchstick]

8. please please please please, let her run in 2012!

my god are theses retards serious? she already have more than 50% against her, i would fear a lot more a guy like Jindal or maybe Romney if he's got a good running mate. The repubs hate and racism is over we are a different society now!

[bunnies]

9. Perfect. She can be President of Alaska.

Its a win-win for all of us.

[okieinpain]

10. sorry, but the GOP will continue to use her as the party ho. they

will keep her around and visible until the election gets underway, then the will roll in who they really want. she's just there to keep the men happy for the next 4 years.

I mean could you see her trying to debate barack.

[zulchzulu]

11. Is that her future cell number in the pokey?

No, Sarah, those handcuffs are not from Nieman Marcus.