A Harley-Davidson-riding Sarah Palin, outfitted in black leather and heels, joined a massive annual motorcycle rally on Sunday in a high-profile appearance amid speculation she will make a bid for the Republican presidential nomination.
Palin was at the “Rolling Thunder” Memorial Day holiday weekend rally, in which tens of thousands of motorcyclists ride through the nation’s capital to honor US war veterans, at the launch of her “One Nation” tour up the east coast.
“There’s no better way to see DC than on the back of a Harley,” Palin said after the ride, in a statement posted on her Web site.
Photo: Reuters
Her presence, however, was not met with universal approval.
Rolling Thunder’s national legislative director Ted Shpak told the Washington Post he was unhappy with the commotion surrounding her appearance at what has been a traditionally non-political event.
“I’m very not appreciative of the way she came in here,” he said.
However, some veterans said Palin was welcome, provided she was not attending the rally for political reasons.
“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,” said Sheldon Wagner, a 65-year-old Vietnam veteran.
The former Alaska governor and 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate drew a crowd of photographers and well-wishers as she rode on the back of the Harley, amid a crush of motorbikes filling the streets of the US capital city.
“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.
According to Palin’s Web site, the “One Nation” 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.”
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