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Donald Trump presidential bid gets Sarah Palin backing | Donald Trump presidential bid gets Sarah Palin backing |
(35 minutes later) | |
Donald Trump's Republican presidential bid has received the backing of Sarah Palin, the populist ex-governor of Alaska who was the Republican vice-presidential candidate in 2008. | Donald Trump's Republican presidential bid has received the backing of Sarah Palin, the populist ex-governor of Alaska who was the Republican vice-presidential candidate in 2008. |
"Are you ready to stump for Trump?" Ms Palin asked cheering supporters at a campaign rally in Iowa. | |
She was John McCain's running mate in 2008 before they lost to Barack Obama. | |
Despite retiring from politics in favour of a media career, she remains an influential conservative voice. | Despite retiring from politics in favour of a media career, she remains an influential conservative voice. |
Officially announcing her endorsement, Ms Palin said Mr Trump was someone ready to let US troops "kick Isis' ass", using another name for the self-styled Islamic State group. | |
"We are ready for a change," she told the rally in Ames, Iowa. | |
"He (Trump) is beholden to no one but 'we, the people'. He is perfectly positioned to let you make America great again." | |
The New York businessman, who leads the Republican race, said in a statement that he was "proud" to receive her backing. | |
Ms Palin was a "trusted conservative" with a "proven record of being fiscally modest, staunchly pro-life and [she] believes in small government that allows businesses to grow and freedom to prosper", the statement added. | |
Analysis - Anthony Zurcher, BBC News, Washington | Analysis - Anthony Zurcher, BBC News, Washington |
While the former Alaska governor's reputation has been diminished since the heady days of 2008 - thanks to her absence from public office and involvement in series of questionable reality television shows - she is still well liked by conservative Republicans and nearly universally known. | While the former Alaska governor's reputation has been diminished since the heady days of 2008 - thanks to her absence from public office and involvement in series of questionable reality television shows - she is still well liked by conservative Republicans and nearly universally known. |
Her backing could help insulate Mr Trump against charges that he's not a true believer in the cause due to his support for liberal political issues and candidates in the past. | Her backing could help insulate Mr Trump against charges that he's not a true believer in the cause due to his support for liberal political issues and candidates in the past. |
At the very least, she could add even more crowd-drawing power to a Trump campaign that already fills entire sports arenas. | At the very least, she could add even more crowd-drawing power to a Trump campaign that already fills entire sports arenas. |
Will Palin help Trump? | Will Palin help Trump? |
Mrs Palin was just two years into her Alaskan governorship when she was picked by John McCain to be his running mate. | Mrs Palin was just two years into her Alaskan governorship when she was picked by John McCain to be his running mate. |
The self-described "hockey mom" soon garnered huge crowds and massive media attention. | The self-described "hockey mom" soon garnered huge crowds and massive media attention. |
After the election in 2009, she resigned as Alaska governor and has since forged a lucrative career as a writer and political commentator. | After the election in 2009, she resigned as Alaska governor and has since forged a lucrative career as a writer and political commentator. |
Ahead of the announcement, Mrs Palin tweeted a link to an article by her daughter Bristol attacking Mr Trump's main rival for the key Iowa caucus, Ted Cruz. | Ahead of the announcement, Mrs Palin tweeted a link to an article by her daughter Bristol attacking Mr Trump's main rival for the key Iowa caucus, Ted Cruz. |
Iowa is the first chance for voters to have their say in the nomination race. | Iowa is the first chance for voters to have their say in the nomination race. |
Mr Cruz has himself praised Mrs Palin saying "without her support, I wouldn't be in the Senate" - a reference to her backing that helped him to his surprise victory in a 2012 Senate run-off election. | Mr Cruz has himself praised Mrs Palin saying "without her support, I wouldn't be in the Senate" - a reference to her backing that helped him to his surprise victory in a 2012 Senate run-off election. |
"Regardless of what she does in 2016, I will always be a big fan," he tweeted. | "Regardless of what she does in 2016, I will always be a big fan," he tweeted. |
Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton's campaign team tweeted caustically after the announcement to Sarah Palin "congrats to the Youtube commenter who wrote your remarks". |