By Philip Elliott
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Sarah Palin rumbled through Washington on the back of a Harley-Davidson as she and her family began an East Coast tour Sunday, renewing speculation that the former Alaska governor would join the still unsettled Republican presidential contest.
Wearing a black leather jacket and surrounded by a throng of cheering fans, Palin and family members jumped on bikes and joined thousands of other motorcyclists on the Memorial Day weekend ride from the Pentagon to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Palin didn’t mention politics as she visited with participants, but she smiled broadly when many in the crowd urged her to run.
When one man asked her if she was running, she smiled and answered, “Don’t know.”
Palin remains one of the biggest questions for Republicans, who have not yet settled on a frontrunner to challenge President Barack Obama’s re-election. While many of Palin’s likely rivals have worked to build campaign organizations in early nominating states such as Iowa or New Hampshire, Palin has taken no concrete steps to begin a presidential campaign.
Given Palin’s star power, she might be able to wait longer than others. But the clock is ticking, the establishment isn’t happy with its options and one of the earliest tests of campaign infrastructure, the straw poll in Ames, Iowa, is scheduled for August.
Palin showed no hints she would join the field on Sunday although she again demonstrated her ability to build excitement and practice the person-to-person, retail politics that she clearly loves.
In heels and black flare slacks, Palin shook hands and posed for pictures with well-wishers.
“How do you wear all this leather and stay cool?” she asked one woman. Palin asked others to show off their tattoos as she took off her own leather jacket and worked her way through a crush of fans, photographers and reporters.
Just before Palin, husband, Todd, and daughters, Bristol and Piper, rolled from the Pentagon’s parking lot, she gave a thumbs-up to a military police officer who asked if he could snap a picture while taking a break from directing traffic.
On the windshield of Palin’s bike: a likeness of President George W. Bush. Next to it, the words “Miss Me?” And on her hand, the words “justice rolls” were written in smeared ink.
It was an apparent reference to Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, which is quoted on Palin’s website: “We will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Palin didn’t take questions from reporters and, in keeping her social media strategy, offered her thoughts on her political website.
“There’s no better way to see D.C. than on the back of a Harley!” Palin wrote. “My family may be used to snowmachines more so than motorcycles.”
Palin, whom Sen. John McCain elevated from an obscure governor to national star, set off from Washington on a tour of East Coast historical sites. Her political committee billed the swing as an opportunity for her family to visit historic sites as they worked their way to New England.
Aides and advisers to Palin were not releasing a schedule for the trip and refused to offer guidance. Instead, they pointed to the website of Palin’s political action committee, which is prominently collecting donations ahead of the end-of-June fundraising quarter.
On her Facebook page late Sunday, Palin wrote: “Took an incognito tour of our beautiful national monuments tonight. We met some great everyday citizens who were also ‘taking it all in’ in honor of the greatest nation on earth.”
Palin’s trip set off speculation she would visit New Hampshire, the state that holds the first nominating primary and a place Palin hasn’t visited since the final days of the 2008 campaign.
Many of Palin’s potential rivals were scheduled to visit New Hampshire in the coming week, including another tea party favorite: Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney was expected to make formal his bid during a noon barbecue on Thursday. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani was set to speak at a fundraiser for the state GOP. Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman — who also rides motorcycles — is spending the weekend working through the state’s rural North Country.
And former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty visited New Hampshire last week, just days after he formally declared himself a candidate while in Iowa. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich also campaigned in a state that is emerging as a linchpin for many of the campaigns already rolling.
Yet others could still enter the race. Texas Gov. Rick Perry on Friday hinted he could start campaigning for a job he once ruled out. Former New York Gov. George Pataki is running television ads in New Hampshire and speaking out against Obama. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has insisted he’s not running; his supporters don’t believe him.
Palin, who abruptly resigned the Alaska governor’s office before completing her first term, has worked to sustain a national profile. She’s a contributor to Fox News Channel, a best-selling author and a reality television star. She has a loyal following among conservatives and tea-party activists, but she remains a divisive figure among the wider public. Polls show more people have an unfavorable opinion of her than not.
In recent weeks Palin has made changes to her insular circle of advisers. She also authorized a feature-length film about her political rise and her supporters are putting together a campaign-in-waiting in Iowa.
Should she run, she’d have to leave Fox’s lucrative payroll. Should she come up short of the nomination, she’d lose some of her cachet. And Sunday proved she can create buzz without being a candidate.