Palin fans urge Iowa voters to go rogue

Fans of conservative darling Sarah Palin have urged Iowa voters to go 'rogue' in caucuses next week by voting for the former Alaska governor, even though she has ruled out a 2012 White House bid.

The Wednesday radio ad comes as the Republican field remains unsettled - six days before the party's first nominating event on Tuesday to pick a candidate to challenge President Barack Obama in November's US election.

'Are you unhappy with the current GOP field?' begins the 30-second ad by independent group Sarah Palin's Earthquake.

'Let me tell you something, you are not alone. Join thousands of Iowans as we vote rogue. It's the caucus for Sarah Palin on January 3.

'Let Iowa and the entire country know we want real leadership and real reform in Washington DC.'

The group - which isn't the first to urge Palin to jump into the race - is organising a write-in campaign in Iowa, hoping that it will help Palin garner enough support to make a late entry into the crowded race.

They are not deterred by the fact that Palin has missed the filing date to get onto the ballot in several early-nominating states.

Sarah Palin Earthquake also plans to air several television ads in Iowa over the weekend, according to posts on its Facebook page.

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 announced on October 5 that she will be 'more effective' on the sidelines.