Terry Branstad Surprised To Get Sarah Palin's Support In Iowa Governor's Race (VIDEO)

There's been some chit-chat lately on the internets suggesting that Sarah Palin's endorsement of moderate Republican gubernatorial candidate Terry Branstad -- who's seeking a return to the Iowa statehouse after serving as the state's 39th governor -- as a sign that she intends to run for President. I don't see it that way.

Why she'd give up a relatively easy life of lucrative speaking engagements and punditry to take on a difficult job that would naturally bring about the intense media scrutiny she studiously avoids does not exactly compute. This looks more like Palin is just looking to get behind a sure-winner: Branstad is really well-liked in Iowa, has been the front-runner in his primary and the favorite to unseat Democrat Chet Culver.

Still, Palin dropping the cush life to run America? Unusual things can happen! And hey, "Unusual things can happen" are the exact words that Branstad used to describe the news that Palin had endorsed him, to the mirth of his supporters:

[WATCH]

Asked if he'd return an endorsement, Branstad laughed and said, "I'm not taking sides in that. I've got an election ahead of me and I'm working on that. We'll welcome them all to Iowa. We want them all to come to Iowa and spend money."

Palin's Facebook fans offered some mixed reactions to the news, who, as you might expect, prefer the insurgent candidacy of Bob Vander Plaats. A representative sample:

NOT HAPPY WITH THIS ENDORSEMENT! Just shows that Sarah has become just another party hack! Brandstad IS NOT CONSERVATIVE, He raised taxes and appointed a pro-choice lt. gov., Joy Corning! He also appointed 3 of the Iowa Not-So-Supreme Court Judges that unleashed homosexual marriage on our state! BAD ENDORSEMENT! Vote Bob Vander Plaats!

WOW! This is a stab in the back for conservatives (not republicans) in Iowa! It is a political maneuver designed to shore up the "Big Tent" Republican party. Profoundly dissappointed. Unfortunately, Sarah, I am afraid your true colors (politics as usual) are beginning to show!

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Comments

[sorrytobeakansan]

10:33 PM on 06/08/2010

The teaparty favorites are not doing well in Virginia. Virginia, that bastion of conservatism, racism and primitivism. Seems to me having the quiter on your side means you should just go ahead and quit.

[klinzboy]

09:24 PM on 06/08/2010

Terry's just another conservative tool. Good luck Iowa. It's looking like we're gonna get this guy back. If by some quirk Brandstad fails to win his party's nomination Iowan's will not elect Vander Platts as their governor.

[Marie Russell-Barker]

12:34 PM on 06/08/2010

Branstad may be crying later, he is joking now but with Palin, one can almost guarantee that he will loose, the woman is a one person disaster, She is loosing credibility and needs a win to put her back on the market. Hum, I wonder if she have yet thought about how dumb and stupid she looks when she have screened interviews an question and answers or when she checks her hand to make a speech which is almost identical, no oh well move on Mr. Branstad, good luck to you sire you have just endorsed Sarah Palin, the dummies Person on the planet earth, oh you didn't endorse her she you?

[shunda]

02:33 PM on 06/08/2010

fanned

[LogicOnlyPlease]

01:08 AM on 06/19/2010

Her endorsements are gold right now.

All of Obama's endorsements have lost thus far.

[ButchManowski]

01:23 AM on 06/08/2010

Gosh, Sara Paylin, acting like a calculating politician willing to do all the things necessary to succeed in the short term.

That will disappoint the two people who thought she was an idealistic true blue leader of conservative common sense solutions.

[conservativelady]

11:16 PM on 06/07/2010

If Palin gets the nomination, I refuse to vote for her. I don't like the way her supporters overlook so much about her and have the annoying habit of comparing her to Ronald Reagan, a man who really knew what he was talking about. Palin is all about her over-blown view of herself. She is very unappealing except to those who have the hots for her, she would be completely unfit as President because people like her for all the wrong reasons, and that's why she is divisive.

[sorrytobeakansan]

10:35 PM on 06/08/2010

That's a well reasoned, thoughtfull post conservativelady. Gotta fan ya even though I bet we don't se eye to eye on Reagan.

[barefoot2626]

09:37 AM on 06/10/2010

I am all for a Palin endorsement, anything we can do to get Tina Fey back in a red dress and on the stage... America can use the laughs.

[sheikwil4]

10:39 PM on 06/07/2010

lol, everyone she has endorsed has lost so far.lol

[propalinjew2010]

01:49 AM on 06/08/2010

that's absolutely not true. 90% of the candidates she has endorsed have WON. everywhere she goes, her candidate shoots to first place in the polls after her endorsement - nikki haley in south carolina and susan menendez in new mexico are two perfect examples. so you don't know what you're talking about.

[Opus Loki]

02:16 AM on 06/08/2010

That's not true. Nikki Haley was already leading in the polls before she got that endorsement but her trouble started shortly afterwards. Most of Sarah's endorsements have fallen behind and lost. Brandstad is already welll liked in Iowa and she is trying to hitch a ride on a winner.
If she runs for POTUS she won't make it out of a field of four other candidates. Her supporters are dreaming. When she actually starts having to talk about issues and debate on them you will all know who her supporters were because they will be the ones walking around with egg on their faces. She is not politically aware and refuses to learn because she thinks it can be done on cue cards, winking at the crowd, and attacking the character of the other people. When the het turns up and she is attacked like she has never been she will melt away with all of your money to obscurity.

[sorrytobeakansan]

10:38 PM on 06/08/2010

It must be neat to believe whatever those little voices are saying in your head. Please look and you will see that she is not helping anyone except for us Democrats. For that I thank her.

[shunda]

02:33 PM on 06/08/2010

fanned

[Blake Chiszar]

09:42 PM on 06/07/2010

This may explain Sarah Palin Haters!

http://bit.ly/dt030U

[Opus Loki]

02:21 AM on 06/08/2010

Was this supposed to help her case? Did you not read the other stories in that link? She's not hated; most people have no confidence in her abilities dispite all of the wind she blows. She is sucking up your money and not for a Presidnetial run; for self gain. Read some of the comments by her own supporters that are losing faith in her. The shine is being tarnished. The teflon coating is starting to peel. The honeymoon is over. I could go on but I think you get my point.

[LiberalLee]

10:57 PM on 06/08/2010

I doubt it. True Sarahmaniacs never let truth interfere with their SnowHo fantasies.
He's just another wetdreamer.

[sorrytobeakansan]

10:43 PM on 06/08/2010

Although it makes for good right wing entertainment, Palin is not hated. She is simply not taken seriously enough by the vast majority to warrent that kind of feeling. Check out the post behind any story on her on sites like Yahoo, AP, and anywhere but fox. We are laughing at her but are worried about her followers. Anyone who would take her seriously, is a candidate to do something stupid thinking she told them to. "Targeting with cross hairs" "reload" Just because she says she is not trying to incite violence does not mean that she won't.

[Opus Loki]

07:36 AM on 06/19/2010

Rigth again... Fanned

[Ro2dawn]

09:26 PM on 06/07/2010

Is this the kiss of death on his campaign?

[Paintio]

06:11 PM on 06/07/2010

She's going to withdraw this endorsement, I bet.

[Paintio]

05:57 PM on 06/07/2010

I favor a very, very small tent for the republican party.

[LiberalLee]

10:58 PM on 06/08/2010

About hat-sized, white and pointed on top.
Yeah that'll about do it.

[Paintio]

01:04 AM on 06/09/2010

No need for a pole.

[GreshamGuy]

05:23 PM on 06/07/2010

Isn't this a little like Madame DeFarge offering to embroider your name?

[CJWebber]

05:22 PM on 06/07/2010

Hilarious, they were actually laughing at her endorsement

[MyAhaMoment]

04:28 PM on 06/07/2010

..."she studiously avoids..." Oh the irony! Is that an oxymoron? Oh, make it stop! I can't breathe. I can't breathe.

[GreshamGuy]

05:25 PM on 06/07/2010

Fanned! You cleared the "no irony" zone with full marks!

[AGP]

04:07 PM on 06/07/2010

June 8th will witness the selection of a Republican nominee for Governor who stands apart from all other candidates in terms of his vision and plans for the state of Iowa. Terry Branstad a former successful Governor for Iowans is one of the few candidates addressing the central economic issue of bringing more jobs to Iowa. His campaign emphasis from day one, in town meetings and debates has remained squarely on the economy and job creation.

His concept of cutting or eliminating state taxes on companies and small businesses is genius exhibited in the midst of timid status quo politicians. Branstad understands that Iowa has the highest state tax rate on companies in the nation. He plans to eliminate that impediment to job creation while cutting state budget fat by 15 per cent. Branstad has shown himself to be a true populist, a man of the people, replete with a single focus on serving Iowans.

Dr. Alan Phillips
Bloomington, IL

[marigold1960]

07:36 PM on 06/07/2010

Is that why Branstad raised the sales tax?? And the gas tax?? All while saying NO to raising the minimum wage in Iowa?? Iowa would not do well to let Brandstad back in office. He had his chance to drive the car....which reminds me, how much time did his son serve for driving under the influence and killing another human?? NONE??? Nope....Iowa is done with Brandstad!

[Susanmg]

03:32 PM on 06/07/2010

Those folks disagreeing with Palin on her FAcebook page better watch out. I was banned for being far less critical of her.