Will Palin sign $11m book deal?

Friday, January 23. Reports are emerging that Sarah Palin has recruited Washington lawyer Robert Barnett to oversee her imminent book deal. In recent times, Barnett has done the same job for Barack Obama and both Bill and Hillary Clinton when they signed their multi-million dollar publishing deals.

It has been reported that Palin wants as much as $11m for her memoirs, though the mother-of-five has not yet formally named her price. To put that figure in perspective, George Bush's wife Laura Bush recently received $2m to write up her memories of eight years in the White House.

Meanwhile, in her 'state of the state' address on January 22, the Alaska Governor told law-makers that she was one of the millions of Americans praying for Obama, and though she noted that he faced a tough time ahead, she said that if he "governs with the skill, grace and greatness of which he is capable, Alaska's going to be just fine". Palin also thanked former President Bush for "keeping the homeland safe, and being a friend to Alaska".

Palin warned Alaskans that the falling price of oil would bring further economic downturn for America's biggest state. Her speech was punctuated by applause, particularly in the moments after she criticised the federal government or praised the Alaskan way of life.

FIRST POSTED JANUARY 23, 2009