Former Republican vice-presidential candidate and Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin arrived at the “Rolling Thunder” Memorial Day holiday weekend rally in a Harley-Davidson motorcycle at the East Coast.
Palin, wearing a black leather jacket joined thousands of motorcycle riders to Washington in honor US war veterans. In a statement posted on her website, Palin said “There’s no better way to see DC than on the back of a Harley!”
There are speculations that Palin will make a bid to be the Republican presidential candidate, that is why her presence at a traditionally non-political event was met with disapproval. “I’m very not appreciative of the way she came in here,” Rolling Thunder’s national legislative director Ted Shpak said.
But some veterans said that as long as there is no political reason for Palin’s appearance, she is welcome at the event. “That’s fine if she wants to come here and join in the festivities as a citizen of this country, not running for office or any political gain,” Sheldon Wagner, a 65-year-old Vietnam veteran said.
Palin, who came with his husband Todd Palin attract a huge crowd photographers and greeters.”Riding with these patriots today reinforced that we must do all we can to remind all Americans that we owe our freedom to our vets and to those missing and to those who made the ultimate sacrifice to make this the greatest country on earth,” Palin said.
Palin has also launched her the “One Nation” tour, which is being funded through contributions to her political action committee. According to her website, the tour “is part of our new campaign to educate and energize Americans about our nation’s founding principles, in order to promote the Fundamental Restoration of America.”
Rolling Thunder began in 1987 to bring awareness to prisoners of war and soldiers who went missing in action. Since then it has become an event to show “respect for soldiers and veterans from all wars.”
Palin’s websites includes campaign strategies such as links to make donations but it is not clear whether she will challenge President Barack Obama in next year’s election and seek the Republican nomination. She will also release a film documentary about her political career that will bring more speculation on her bid to unseat Obama.
Palin’s running mate and former presidential candidate John McCain said that she can win the nomination.
“Whether she’ll even run or not, I don’t know. A lot of things happen in campaigns. I was written off a few times and we were able to come back so it’s going to be a roller coaster ride for all of them before we arrive at our nominee.”
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