Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R.) announced today that she will be taking a bus tour that tellingly will begin with a visit to the U.S. Constitution at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. and then head north through historical sites associated with the nation’s founding, heading in the general direction of … New Hampshire.
“Our nation is at a critical turning point,” Palin said in a posting on the website of her political action committee. “As we look to the future, we are propelled by America's past. It's imperative that we connect with our founders, our patriots, our challenges and victories to clearly see our way forward.”
The tour will begin Sunday in Washington, D.C. during the 24th “Rolling Thunder” gathering, an annual Memorial Day weekend event that brings thousands of motorcyclists, veterans and other patriots to the National Mall to draw attention to prisoners of war and those missing in action from U.S. military engagements.
During that event Palin will visit the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence which are on display in the National Archives building, which sits on Constitution Avenue directly across the street from the Mall.
“We'll celebrate the meaning of our nation's blueprints, our Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, which are the threads that weave our past into the fabric necessary for the survival of American exceptionalism,” said Palin in announcing her bus tour.
Palin has not yet announced whether she will or will not run for president. Earlier this week, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced he is seeking the Republican presidential nomination, as are businessman Herman Cain, Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich of Georgia.
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has formed and exploratory committee and former Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania is also exploring a run.
Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and businessman Donald Trump have all announced that they will not seek the Republican presidential nomination in 2012.
“Our founders declared ‘we were born the heirs of freedom,’ and despite our difficulties and disagreements, we remain one nation under God in freedom, indivisible,” she said. “Through visits to historical sites and patriotic events, we'll share the importance of America's foundation.”
Palin’s message of getting back to the vision of the Founding Fathers and the vision of government they chartered in the Declaration and the Constitution is in keeping with the message espoused by the Tea Party movement that energized grassroots conservatives in the 2010 midterm elections and since then.
“I’ve said many times that America doesn’t need a ‘fundamental transformation,’ instead we need a restoration of all that is good and strong and free in America!” Palin said. “So, together let’s prepare ourselves for the days ahead by reminding ourselves who we are and what Americans stand for.”
Palin’s itinerary has not been released but her planned trajectory—north from Washington, D.C. toward New England—would suggest that possible stops might include Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence was signed and the Constitution was crafted; Valley Forge, Pa., where George Washington wintered his army in 1777-1778; Washington Crossing, Pa., where Washington brought his army across the Delaware River on Christmas 1776; Wall Street, where Washington was inaugurated; the U.S. Military Academy at West Point; Quincy, Mass., the home of John Adams; Lexington and Concord, Mass., the sites of the first skirmishes of the Revolutionary War battles; Bunker Hill and Breed’s Hill, site of the Revolutionary War battle; Paul Revere’s house and the Old North Church in Boston.
And, of course, Boston harbor--scene of the original Tea Party
