Republican Sarah Palin rolled into Iowa’s state fair on Friday, stealing the spotlight from the party’s presidential contenders and sparking a new round of speculation about her plans for 2012. Palin’s visit to the cattle barn at the fair attracted a crush of photographers, reporters, fans and onlookers who swarmed the former Alaska governor, alarming the cows and bringing activity in the barn to a temporary halt.
The timing of the visit, a day before a straw poll that is a big early test of campaign strength for the 2012 Republican presidential contenders, renewed questions about whether she will jump in the race.
