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Sarah Palin

A look at the former Republican vice presidential nominee through the years.

The former Sarah Heath won the Miss Wasilla beauty pageant in 1984. With the victory she qualified for the Miss Alaska pageant, in which she played the flute during the talent portion -- one of the many moments in Sara Palin's life lampooned by "Saturday Night Live."

The former Sarah Heath won the Miss Wasilla beauty pageant in 1984. With the victory she qualified for the Miss Alaska pageant, in which she played the flute during the talent portion -- one of the many moments in Sara Palin's life lampooned by "Saturday Night Live."

Mat-Su Valley -AP

Todd Palin holds a Bible as his wife is sworn in as governor of Alaska on Dec. 4, 2006, a position that paved the way for Sarah Palin's rapid ascent to the national political stage less than two years later.

Todd Palin holds a Bible as his wife is sworn in as governor of Alaska on Dec. 4, 2006, a position that paved the way for Sarah Palin's rapid ascent to the national political stage less than two years later.

Al Grillo-AP

Mush, baby: Sarah Palin gives husband Todd Palin a hug at the beginning of the Tesoro Iron Dog race on Feb. 10, 2008. The snowmobile race, which the "First Dude" has won four times, crosses 2,000 miles of Alaska wilderness, from Nome to Fairbanks.

Mush, baby: Sarah Palin gives husband Todd Palin a hug at the beginning of the Tesoro Iron Dog race on Feb. 10, 2008. The snowmobile race, which the "First Dude" has won four times, crosses 2,000 miles of Alaska wilderness, from Nome to Fairbanks.

Bill Roth-AP

Then-Gov. Sarah Palin, holding baby Trig, discusses high food prices with constituent Laurie Serino in a Barrow, Alaska, supermarket in June 2008. When Trig, who has Down syndrome, was born two months earlier, the Palins said: "Trig is beautiful and already adored by us. We knew through early testing he would face special challenges, and we feel privileged that God would entrust us with this gift and allow us unspeakable joy as he entered our lives."

Then-Gov. Sarah Palin, holding baby Trig, discusses high food prices with constituent Laurie Serino in a Barrow, Alaska, supermarket in June 2008. When Trig, who has Down syndrome, was born two months earlier, the Palins said: "Trig is beautiful and already adored by us. We knew through early testing he would face special challenges, and we feel privileged that God would entrust us with this gift and allow us unspeakable joy as he entered our lives."

Al Grillo-AP

The Palin brood greets eventual Republican presidential nominee John McCain and his wife, Cindy, after he arrives in Minneapolis before the Republican National Convention in neighboring St. Paul in September 2008.

The Palin brood greets eventual Republican presidential nominee John McCain and his wife, Cindy, after he arrives in Minneapolis before the Republican National Convention in neighboring St. Paul in September 2008.

Susan Walsh-AP

Vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin is handed a giant lipstick as she greets supporters at The Villages, Fla., on Sept. 21. The battleground state and its 27 delegates went to Obama-Biden in the November election.

Vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin is handed a giant lipstick as she greets supporters at The Villages, Fla., on Sept. 21. The battleground state and its 27 delegates went to Obama-Biden in the November election.

Joe Burbank-AP

A turning point in the 2008 general campaign came when Sarah Palin fumbled the answers to a few soft questions from Katie Couric during a September sit-down that aired on CBS. The interview was a lightning rod, igniting critics on the left and the right.

A turning point in the 2008 general campaign came when Sarah Palin fumbled the answers to a few soft questions from Katie Couric during a September sit-down that aired on CBS. The interview was a lightning rod, igniting critics on the left and the right.

CBS Evening News with Katie Couric

Winking during the Democratic vice presidential debate with then-Sen. Joe Biden on Oct. 2, 2008, didn't help Sarah Palin's popularity with some segments of the population in the East and South. But that, combined with her folksy manner, played well in the heartland.

Winking during the Democratic vice presidential debate with then-Sen. Joe Biden on Oct. 2, 2008, didn't help Sarah Palin's popularity with some segments of the population in the East and South. But that, combined with her folksy manner, played well in the heartland.

J. Scott Applewhite-AP

When Sarah Palin (that's really her, not Tina Fey) appeared on "Saturday Night Live" with Amy Poehler and Seth Meyers three weeks before the 2008 election, the comedy show drew 15 million viewers, its biggest audience in 14 years.

When Sarah Palin (that's really her, not Tina Fey) appeared on "Saturday Night Live" with Amy Poehler and Seth Meyers three weeks before the 2008 election, the comedy show drew 15 million viewers, its biggest audience in 14 years.

Dana Edelson-Reuters

Vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and her husband, Todd, joined John McCain on election night in Phoenix, where the Republicans conceded defeat. The new book "Sarah From Alaska" reveals that victory and concession speeches were written for Palin, but neither was delivered.

Vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and her husband, Todd, joined John McCain on election night in Phoenix, where the Republicans conceded defeat. The new book "Sarah From Alaska" reveals that victory and concession speeches were written for Palin, but neither was delivered.

Melina Mara-The Washington Post

Sarah Palin calls it quits on July 26, 2009, handing over the Alaska governorship to Sean Parnell. CBS News described Palin's resignation speech as "rambling and sometimes confusing," adding fuel to the fire between Palin supporters and detractors.

Sarah Palin calls it quits on July 26, 2009, handing over the Alaska governorship to Sean Parnell. CBS News described Palin's resignation speech as "rambling and sometimes confusing," adding fuel to the fire between Palin supporters and detractors.

Al Grillo-AP

Sarah Palin traveled to Asia in September 2009 to speak at an investors' forum in Hong Kong. To some, this signaled that the former Alaska governor and Republican vice presidential nominee may be expanding her horizons ahead of a possible presidential run in 2012.

Sarah Palin traveled to Asia in September 2009 to speak at an investors' forum in Hong Kong. To some, this signaled that the former Alaska governor and Republican vice presidential nominee may be expanding her horizons ahead of a possible presidential run in 2012.

Jeff Topping-Reuters

Sarah Palin autographs copies of her book "Going Rogue." at BJ's Wholesale Club in Fairfax, Virginia.

Sarah Palin autographs copies of her book "Going Rogue." at BJ's Wholesale Club in Fairfax, Virginia.

Marvin Joseph-The Washington Post

Gallery Credits:
Photo Editor, Producer Troy Witcher

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This Story Palin as politically charged lightning rod Article \| Two new books -- hitting stores just weeks before Palin's own "Going Rogue" memoir will come out to record-setting advance orders -- attempt to explain why the hockey mom from Wasilla, Alaska, drives both detractors and fans alike to something approaching insanity. : Sarah Palin and today's elections -- Referendum on Obama, Republican sweep? Sarah Palin Short Stack: Prescription for mental health care reform		TOOLBOX E-Mail This Save/Share + Digg Facebook Reddit Twitter myspace del.icio.us NewsTrust Stumble It! COMMENT 0 Comments Your browser's settings may be preventing you from commenting on and viewing comments about this item. See instructions for fixing the problem. Discussion Policy CLOSE Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post. Who's Blogging » Links to this gallery		More on washingtonpost.com • More Photo News » washingtonpost.com
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