Sarah Palin steals ideas from Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama

Tuesday, January 27. Suspicions that Sarah Palin is planning a 2012 presidential bid become more credible by the day – and she appears to be stealing her ideas from her campaign foes, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

The Governor of Alaska has recently set up a political action committee website in the mould of Secretary of State Clinton and she is filling her diary with political appearances.

Sarahpac.com says the fundraising initiative is "dedicated to building America's future, supporting fresh ideas and candidates who share our vision for reform and innovation". Other statements of intent sound surprisingly similar to demands made by President Obama during his inauguration speech. "Each one of us must step up to the plate, get involved in the spirit of renaissance and renewal that is critical to America's success," says the failed vice-presidential candidate's new site.

Next month, Palin will address a gathering of influential conservatives in Washington but before then, the big date in her diary is Saturday's Alfalfa club dinner in Washington. The event is an invitation-only occasion for some of the most powerful men and women in America.

Usually the president himself speaks at the dinner, though the highlight for many guests is the mock nomination of a future presidential candidate. In years past, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and George Bush Jnr were all selected by the club before they went on to become real presidential candidates.

Should the self-styled 'pitbull in lipstick' be picked out on Saturday, nobody will sit up and take more notice than Palin herself.

FIRST POSTED JANUARY 27, 2009