Would Rep. Steve King endorse Sarah Palin in 2012?

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Washington Post political blogger Chris Cillizza seems to have had that question in mind when he wrote:

Rep. Steve King isn't a household name to everyone but anyone who is even considering running for president on the Republican side in 2012 almost certainly has the Iowa GOPer on speed dial.

That's why King's comments in praise of former Alaska governor Sarah Palin are so interesting. King described Palin as "the one who has the charisma, she has the momentum" in the 2012 race during an interview with Iowa Public Television, adding that "there couldn't have been a better thing for her to do politically" than embark on her recent book tour in support of "Going Rogue" -- her memoir that gives an account of the 2008 presidential race among other things.

King, who endorsed former Tennessee senator Fred Thompson (R) in the 2008 caucus and primary fight, said he had learned from that experience, reflecting that he should have endorsed a candidate earlier in the process -- a line sure to make ambitious GOP pols hearts go pitter-pat. King has represented 5th district since 2002; the seat spans much of western Iowa where large swaths of Republican voters call home.

- JP