This post is part of our feature on Money Winners of 2008. See all 20.
They called her Caribou Barbie. Saturday Night Live lampooned her mercilessly during the presidential election. The media elite denounced her as an idiot and a right-wing loony tune. But Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is not going to fade into the snow of the beautiful state she governs. In fact, she is coming to a book store near you.
Media reports indicate that the former vice presidential nominee is expected to earn $7 million to tell her life story to a ghost writer. That's not too shabby considering that former president Bill Clinton got about $11 million for his life story and he actually was the leader of the free world. Barack Obama and his former rival John McCain both have earned big money from their books, so why shouldn't Palin.
There was also some talk during the campaign about a talk show or reality show starring the woman responsible for giving Tina Fey's career a boost -- as if it really needed one -- but that seems to have gone nowhere.
Palin, though, will have the last laugh on her naysayers, including me. During her brief time in the spotlight, Palin transformed herself from an obscure politician to a cultural icon. Along the way, she infuriated many voters and charmed more than a few. The power of Palin's celebrity will entice people who may not agree with her politically to buy her book. Her devoted fans will line up at the bookstores to buy it as well. Palin's tome has the makings of a best-seller.
People who acquired Palin-related nick-knacks such as action figures, during the campaign might want to hold onto it because it may become valuable, especially if she becomes the GOP nominee in 2012 -- which I realize is a big if. Otherwise, her memorabilia will become a great anecdote on the Antiques Roadshow in about 30 years.
Be sure to check out more Money Winners of 2008.











Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-13-2008 @ 4:03PM
DIANE said...
r u serious. i wouldn't spend a penny on her book. she lies too much and needs to go back to school not only to learn history but to know what is going on in the usa and the world around her.
also how to take the time to talk to her children about having a child when they are a child themselves and shouldn't even have sex. this women is a church person. may GOD FORGIVE HER. SAME ON PALIN
12-13-2008 @ 5:17PM
AJA said...
~~~SARAH PALIN ROCKS!!!~~~
AJA
12-13-2008 @ 5:36PM
Russ said...
Palin should be the biggest embarrassment to the GOP, but she has to get behind George Bush and Cheney for that spot. She represents everything that is wrong with what used to my party of choice. God help us, the Dems have taken over and GOP choices like her are to blame.
12-13-2008 @ 8:28PM
joe said...
good for sara.she is not dum. she don't. lie. b.o. lies he wasn't going to take donations for his campain lie.he said he had visited 57 states going to visite one more.he said he had not heard rev.right say all those thing. he been their twenty years lie. said he just new aryers some one neighbor hood lie.he told big grandfather about pearl harbor.he told his book his grandfather had not servied. lie. he told speech n.m. that included verterens his unkle liberated aushwiz concentration camp. butthe nazie camp in the southern poland was by the soviets in jan.1945. you could go on and on. if he lies some one ask about it .he don't answer just goes on.
12-14-2008 @ 5:19AM
Deo said...
Palin is going to REWRITE history with THAT one.
I hope they remember to classify it as FICTION.
What a con artist, the joke is on us!
12-14-2008 @ 9:04AM
george said...
americans baffle me they say thing that just doesnt make sense to me.If you were going to have brain surgey who would you pick.a Brain surgen or a smoth talking person who has just read about it.I did not vote for our new president but I will stand behind him because I beleave in my country.
12-14-2008 @ 1:19PM
Kim said...
After reading the previous comments, I am sadden at the lack of intelligence in people today. Sarah Palin lives out her Godly character by standing up for Him, truth, and family. If you can't see that, examine yourself.
12-14-2008 @ 2:00PM
vince said...
SHE HAS A GREAT BODY BUT SHE CANNOT LEAD A COUNTRY WITH IT.SHE IS ALSO A OIL PERSON AND AIN'T IT AMAZING HOW FUEL PRCIES DROPPED AS SOON AS OBAMA WON THE ELECTION.....HMMM MAKES ONE WONDER
12-14-2008 @ 4:37PM
Sue said...
Sarah Palin a cultural icon? You're kidding me, right?
12-15-2008 @ 3:20PM
anvil said...
If shes the future of the republican part they have no future they will be voted out of the country
12-15-2008 @ 4:32PM
suzi said...
If it had been Palin/McCain I may have voted Republican. OH WAIT I did not want 4 more yrs of what Bush started. Sarah should keep 2012 lined up.
12-26-2008 @ 6:41PM
John said...
She will always have a place on Saturday Night Live, or some other entertainment field, she is an actress, but she does not seem to with it in the inteligence factors, she does not even know what publications she reads.
12-27-2008 @ 5:32PM
AncientXer said...
Sarah Palin is the greatest thing to happen to america since MTV. And NASA. I love me some Sarah Palin!!
12-28-2008 @ 3:30PM
mt girl said...
I'm all for Sarah Palin. She appears to be the most refreshing, honest, Godfearing, down to earth person to run for public office I have seen in eons. She is a true American. She doesn't know all the answers but do you? She is a fast learner and a leader unequaled in Washington or for that matter in the lower 48, or is it 57 states??
12-28-2008 @ 6:07PM
Ben said...
mt girl, How can you say Palin is 'honest'? No one can be that ignorant of reality/facts.
As far back as the 1990s, Alaska newspapers were calling Palin's behavior into question. "Mayor Palin," the Frontiersman declared in a February 1997 editorial, "fails to have a firm grasp of something very simple: the truth."
12-31-2008 @ 6:48PM
annie Kowles said...
Oh yes.....Sarah of COURSE knows exactly what she reads, you dummy. Quit saying such stupid things. She just clammed up on purpose because of that silly insipid little Katie-girl asking such a dumb question. Wise up. It's very embarrassing to Katie and all the people who have loved dwelling on it, saying something so dumb that SP doesn't know what she reads!! Please........