ANCHORAGE, Alaska—
Former Gov. Sarah Palin was a featured speaker at the Republican Party's Ronald Reagan Dinner in Iowa Friday night. Her appearance is leaving pundits talking about whether she has plans to run in 2012. Palin's presence in Iowa, fresh from her influence in primaries across the nation, is rekindling speculations about her aspirations for the White House.
“It's time for no more business as usual. It is time to take back our country,” Palin said.
Palin was Sen. John McCain's vice presidential running mate in 2008, and in her first visit to Iowa this year, she joked about whether she wants top billing in 2012.
“Todd says, ‘I guarantee you, if anyone spots you in the tennis shoes, the headline's gonna be, Vanity Fair, they're going to say, 'Palin in Iowa, decides to run,’’” Palin said.
The primary season has pointed to the growing division between the established GOP and Tea Party activists. Palin, a star of the Tea Party movement, has supported both sides and called out some of her traditional Republican counterparts to do the same.
“Karl, go to -- here, you can come to Iowa. and Karl Rove, and the other leaders who will see the light and realize that these are normal, hardworking, patriotic Americans,” Palin said.
With a clear message that she sees as a desire for change within the party and within the country, Palin's calling for unity as the GOP heads toward the general election.
Iowa and New Hampshire typically hold the first primaries in presidential election years.
