Sarah Palin Offers Some Praise for Rick Santorum

By Danny Yadron

Early this fall, Sarah Palin helped start the original Herman Cain Train when she touted his conservative bona fides.

Sarah Palin speaks during the Republican Party of Floridas fund-raising event Nov. 3, 2011 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Photo by Roberto Gonzalez/Getty Images)

But with Mr. Cain looking less like a winning candidate, the former Alaska governor and 2008 vice presidential nominee on Thursday offered a new name for Republicans looking for an anti-establishment candidate: Rick Santorum.

If voters start shifting gears and deciding they want ideological consistency, then theyre going to start paying attention to say, Rick Santorum, she said on Fox News. Ms. Palin praised the former Pennsylvania senator for his positions on Israel, abortion and income taxes.

Ms. Palin did not say there was anything particularly wrong with Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney. And when she was asked if there was a specific candidate she was leaning towards, she balked. She also gave shout outs to, Rep. Ron Paul, Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota.

As for Mr. Cain, she said the facts need to come out on the most recent allegation that he had a 13-year extramarital affairan allegation Mr. Cain denies. But if its true, Ms. Palin said, Boys will be boys, but they shouldnt run the country.