[I9dydJrX]

TPM: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2...gh.php?ref=fpb

Former half-term Gov. Sarah Palin has reportedly packed in her bus tour...halfway through.

Real Clear Politics is reporting that Palin and her family have returned to Alaska from their "One Nation" bus tour, despite tentatively scheduled stops in Iowa and South Carolina.

From Scott Conroy at RCP:Though Palin and her staff never announced a timeline for the remaining legs of her trip, aides had drafted preliminary itineraries that would have taken her through the Midwest and Southeast at some point this month. But those travel blueprints are now in limbo, RCP has learned, as Palin and her family have reverted to the friendly confines of summertime Alaska, where the skies are currently alight for over 19 hours a day and the Bristol Bay salmon fishing season is nearing its peak.Palin's intent to visit Iowa and South Carolina, as well as one stop in New Hampshire, caused some speculation that she was starting to get serious about a run for president in 2012.

[Rategbee]

Nobody really noticed with Jon Huntsman declaring his presidential run and Gov. Rick Perry gearing up to deny that he's gay.

[Sadsidioribre]

She's just not that into us anymore

[UrUROFlS]

I'm guessing that her people and Bachmann's people had a pow-wow after the Ed Rollins debacle and decided that running against each other would damage them both too much. Palin's got a high-paying gig that she won't walk away from--just like Donald Trump--and at the end of the day, she can probably accomplish a lot more for her brand from the lucrative sidelines at Fox News than she could managing her weekly gaffes on the campaign trail.

So she'll likely retreat and throw her support behind whatever candidate shovels the most money in her direction, just like Limbaugh and Hannity and Beck.

But this quitting thing does seem to be a pattern for her at this point.

[Derrida]

Maybe we'll still have a Bachmann/Palin ticket? The Two Bitchin' Babes ticket?

Before Paul or Brad say something like that I'm a politically incorrect Lib SOB, it's a play on a band name, but seems quite appropriate in describing them.

[Kristoferson]

Shoe's cancelled her Sudan trip as well.

USA Today: http://content.usatoday.com/communit...klin-graham-/1

Sarah Palin is not going to war-torn Sudan after all.

The Washington Post, citing several unnamed sources close to Palin, said the 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee has canceled for scheduling reasons.

Palin is considering whether to run for president next year.

The Sunday Times in London reported earlier this month that Palin said she would be going to Sudan in July.

The Post said Palin was to attend the July 9 festivities marking the independence of South Sudan. She was to make the trip with Rev. Franklin Graham, the evangelist who runs the Christian relief group Samaritan's Purse, and Greta Van Susteren of Fox News.

[Percocetti]

And we now have an alleged reason: Jury duty

Reuters: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/...75M0N720110623

Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin said on Wednesday she was pausing her "One Nation" bus tour to answer the call of jury duty and denied media reports her much-hyped multi-state jaunt had been cut short.

...

Palin's Facebook post did not say when her jury service might start or when she had been summoned to serve.

The online political outlet RealClearPolitics.com reported that Palin might return to the political limelight to promote the upcoming film documentary of her career, "The Undefeated," due to premiere in Iowa and other early caucus and primary states before its July 15 nationwide release.

[Tainlyferfara]

A link on AOL suggests she took a shot at the media with her comment, but I don't see it.

That said, it seems like a weak reason to quit the tour. I've been called for jury duty in three states now, and the shortest time between the call and having to serve was six weeks. A postponement had to be carried out within three months of the original date I was supposed to serve. Four-and-a-half months: I don't see the need to rush home for that.

I call it quiting, even if she wouldn't. How much do you think sponsors and the locations have already put into her trip, who will now either not have a visit or will have to spend more money to re-promote their event?

[Lauramalina]

"Winners never quit, and quitters never win."