Sarah Palin Endorses Donald Trump, Rallying Conservatives

New York Times ^ | January 19, 2016 | ALAN RAPPEPORT

[VitacoreVision]

AMES, Iowa - Sarah Palin, the former Alaska governor and 2008 vice-presidential nominee who became a Tea Party sensation and a favorite of grass-roots conservatives, endorsed Donald J. Trump in Iowa on Tuesday, providing Mr. Trump with a potentially significant boost just 13 days before the state's caucuses.

"Are you ready to make America great again?" Ms. Palin said with Mr. Trump by her side at a rally at Iowa State University. "Are you ready to stump for Trump? I'm here to support the next president of the United States - Donald Trump."

Her support is the highest-profile backing for a Republican contender so far. It came the same day that Iowa's Republican governor, Terry Branstad, said he hopes that Senator Ted Cruz will be defeated in Iowa, where the Feb. 1 caucuses are a must-win for the Texas senator, who is running neck-and-neck with Mr. Trump in state polls.

The endorsement came as Mr. Trump was bearing down in the state, holding multiple campaign events and raising expectations about his performance in the race's first nominating contest.

"I am greatly honored to receive Sarah's endorsement," Mr. Trump said in a statement trumpeting Mrs. Palin's decision. "She is a friend, and a high-quality person whom I have great respect for. I am proud to have her support."

[jwalsh07]

Dude, you are the guy using the vernacular of the leftist elites to describe your fellow conservatives. Not me. You.

I want no part of your reality. It is a disgusting meme for shutting down speech employed by you and Barack Obama both.

Adios.

[chae]

Because there are a lot of us who realize Trump is no more of a conservative than Romney or McCain are.
I’ve never understood the whole “We’ve got to win” argument when all we’re putting up there is Democrat Lite.

[lucky american]

Ridiculous! My, the sour grapes today! She was fantastic. Even CNN is giving her High Fives.
CNN? Giving Palin great reviews? I guess that says it all.

[American Constitutionalist]

Keep on talking, you guys will change your tune when you guys will need us to vote for Trump, you will be begging us to vote for Trump.

[miss marmelstein]

Most of the media gave her raves in 2008. Did you think her speech at the Convention sucked as well? Or are you all just jealous that she endorsed Trump over Cruz?

[DoughtyOne]

More comedic relief...

Sorry about your case.

[DoughtyOne]

Oh sit on your hands. I could care less.

If that’s what you think you need to do, I urge you to.

[American Constitutionalist]

It’s time for us Conservatives and Ted Cruz supporters rise up in revolt and refuse to give Free Republic our hard earned money as donations.

This isn’t the Free Republic I remember 10 12 years ago.

[Mr Rogers]

I voted for her for VP in 2008, but I don’t have much respect for her judgment. Preferred her to McCain, and they both were better than Obama/Biden...but when she quit as governor, she lost me.

It will probably boost Trump in Iowa, but the Palin family’s track record on getting a job done and fighting for conservatives (vs fighting anything with legs) doesn’t impress me.

[Timmy]

Yes, it was smart by Trump. However,it officially verifies Palin is a clown. I really liked her a lot in the beginning, but she’s been trending into carnival territory for some time, with ridiculous family dramatics and shrillness. She’s completely lost me now.

[willk]

I like and respect Sarah but I’m still supporting Cruz.

[Catsrus]

WAAAAAAAAAAAAA. Do you want some cheese with your whine? You’d be singing a different tune if she came out for Cruz, and you know it.

[PA Engineer]

It's time for us Conservatives and Ted Cruz supporters rise up in revolt and refuse to give Free Republic our hard earned money as donations.

This isn't the Free Republic I remember 10 12 years ago.

First, you have not been here that long.

Second, I will be more than happy to make up any difference if you leave.

Exhorting people to hurt FR was a Zotting offense "10 to 12 years ago". I know and unlike you I was here.

[Timmy]

Possibly. Cruz is not the ridiculous circus act that Trump is. But Palin had pretty much lost me already. Trump is not a conservative. He’s worse than Jeb. You will be very disappointed.

[stars & stripes forever]

She ended my congressman’s career. He was the conservative. The winner was a GOPe.

[America_Right]

She endorsed McCain in ‘08.

That may be true, but she wouldn't have if he hadn't tapped her to balance his ticket. The ONLY reason he put her on the ticket was to bring conservatives on board. Heck, it worked on me. I enthusiastically voted for her in '08, hoping the old bass turd would drop dead a year into his administration. :)

[matginzac]

Neither do I but if I recall correctly, he has stated we really have no business fighting outside our sovereign nation...
I get that but think it’s rather naive in this day and age...just my opinion.

[IwaCornDogs]

Yes, she did. Quite intentionally so.

Almost as though she intends to skip right over the Cruzers, and recruit from the Paul crowd.

Could be brilliant, Lord knows they haven’t had much of a chance to make any difference so far.

[carjic]

She is a trader! She had me believe she was a conservative and now this. Pox on her! Ted Cruz 2016!

[onyx]

WOW.
You change on a dime.
You went from being SAD about Sarah to calling her TRASH!