Sarah Palin fans urge her to get into 2012 race

CHICAGO (AFP) - Fans of conservative darling Sarah Palin urged the former Alaska governor to jump into the race for the White House on Wednesday, running a small ad on a local station in the key electoral state of Iowa.

The ad comes as the Republican field remains unsettled just over a month before the Iowa caucuses, the first nominating event to pick a candidate to challenge Democrat President Barack Obama in the November 2012 elections.

Mrs Palin rocketed onto the national stage after being tapped as Republican presidential hopeful John McCain's running mate in 2008. She has long flirted with a potential White House bid, but has missed the filing date to get onto the ballot in several early-nominating states.

Supporters at Conservatives 4 Palin are hoping that won't stop her from tossing her hat into the ring, despite her Oct 5 announcement that she will be 'more effective' on the sidelines.