Palin to speak at event in Waukee Sept. 3

Des Moines Register: Palin to speak at event in Waukee Sept. 3
Sarah Palin will return to Iowa on Sept. 3, fueling speculation that she'll choose the setting to announce whether she is running for president.

Political strategists from both parties agree the former Alaska governor and 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate risks falling flat in organizing a presidential campaign in Iowa if she plays the waiting game beyond her next visit.

"It's approaching too late for anybody, including Sarah Palin, even though she has a big emotional foothold in the base of the party," said Ed Rogers, a former White House assistant who was the senior deputy to George H.W. Bush campaign manager Lee Atwater in 1987 and 1988. "People are making their commitments. They are choosing teams."

Palin will be the keynote speaker at the Tea Party of America's "Restoring America" event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 3 in Waukee. The event is free to the public.

Palin has not said whether she will use the event to announce her 2012 presidential intentions. She has previously said August or September would most likely be the time frame.

"Governor Palin embodies the spirit of public service that our founders believed was essential to the survival of our liberties and our republic itself," Charlie Gruschow, co-founder of Tea Party of America, said in a statement announcing Palin's visit.

Joe Trippi, a Democratic strategist who has previously worked on the presidential campaigns of Howard Dean and John Edwards, believes it's not too late for Palin, but agreed with Rogers that time is precious.

"September is either open the floodgates or close the door," Trippi said.

Even though the Iowa caucuses are still more than six months away, a tremendous amount of time and effort is needed to organize in each of Iowa's 99 counties. Even well-known candidates like Palin can stumble if their organization is not solidly in place, Rogers and Trippi agreed.

"Having a good organization is just as important as having a strong message," Trippi said.

When Palin is included as an option in polls on the presidential field, she often receives more support than many of the announced candidates.

She continues to polarize potential voters nationally and in Iowa, but remains popular with many Iowa Republican activists.

A June Des Moines Register Iowa Poll of likely Iowa caucusgoers asked respondents whether they had a favorable or unfavorable impression of several prominent Republicans in addition to those now in the running for president. Among 18 Republicans listed, she tied for second with former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty in highest percentage with a favorable opinion.

Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann came in first with 65 percent favorable, and Palin and Pawlenty were at 58 percent.

More than a third of likely Republican caucusgoers viewed her unfavorably, however.

Rep. Glen Massie, R-Des Moines, a supporter of Texas Rep. Ron Paul's presidential campaign, said Palin's announcement would be rather late since many supporters are already backing a candidate.

"She'll make a big splash, but I think most people have already committed loyalty to the person that they like," Massie said.

Richard Rogers of West Des Moines is a co-chairman of a district of the group "Organized 4 Palin," which is helping to set up a grass-roots network across the state in hopes that it might be helpful if Palin does step into the race.

"Reading the tea leaves like everybody else, I think the decision has been made, and she's going to do it," Rogers said. "Now whether she will announce Sept. 3, I don't know."