Sarah Palin took to Facebook on Friday night to say , "Todd and I and our family would like to wish you all a happy Memorial Day weekend. We'd especially like to offer our best wishes to our friends in Rolling Thunder who will be taking part in their Ride for Freedom this weekend in D.C. as they do each year to honor our vets and specifically to bring awareness to POW/MIA issues. We were honored to join them last year." She continued, "We were both sad to learn that Preston 'Jay' Fairlamb, Jr., one of the organizers of Rolling Thunder and someone who made us so welcome last year, tragically died in an accident last week. Jay was a Vietnam vet, a retired New Jersey State Trooper, and a great American who will be dearly missed. Please keep his wife, his children, grandchildren and his innumerable friends in your prayers." The former Alaska governor included in her post a photograph of herself, Todd and Jay...

When former Alaska governor and 2008 vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin officially endorsed Sen. Orrin Hatch earlier this week, she took to her Facebook page to deem Utah's senior senator "Mr. Balanced Budget" and shed some light on her decision. Orrin Hatch is part of the 1 percent, Palin wrote. No, not that 1 percent youve heard about. Hes part of the 1 percent of national politicians who I think should be re-elected." But in the wake of Palin's endorsement, several of her supporters have been aggressively criticizing the decision to back Hatch over his opponent, former state Sen. Dan Liljenquist, ahead of the Beehive State's June 26 primary. "Instead of staying out of the race, Palin has proactively sided with the ridiculous Beltway barnacle Orrin Hatch, who now poses as a tea party godfather while launching bitter diatribes against the fiscal conservative members of Freedomworks," conservative blogger Michelle Malkin wrote shortly after ...

Sarah Palin gets blowback, Wisconsin Democrats get $1 million, Mitt Romney gets heckled and Newt Gingrich gets a comeback. Make sure to sign up to get Afternoon Fix in your e-mail inbox every day by 5 (ish) p.m! EARLIER ON THE FIX: President Obama vs Uncommitted: The Kentucky primary explained Why running against the Supreme Court just might work for Obama Can Democrats run from Obama? Should they? Wisconsin recall election: Barrett poll shows Walker up two Is the Bain attack working? Obama holds slight lead in three key swing states Massachusetts Senate race poll: Warren, Brown in dead heat Mitt Romney expands Day One promises in new ad Republicans Hispanic problem in 2 charts WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED: * Many of former Alaska governor Sarah Palin s fans are upset over her endorsement of Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) over his conservative primary challenger, former state Sen. Dan Liljenquist . Her Facebook page is full of recriminations; blogger Michelle Malkin called the endorsemen...

Katie Couric wants to interview Sarah Palin again, she said on Monday. The former "CBS Evening News" anchor extended an invitation to Palin while previewing her upcoming daytime talk show "Katie" in Orlando, according to The Orlando Sentinel . "She has an open invitation to come talk to me," Couric said. "I'm not sure she'd be interested, but she'd certainly be welcome. She's a fascinating figure not only on the political scene but in popular culture." Of course, it would be very surprising if Palin accepted the invitation. It has been nearly four years since she sat down with Couric for the infamous 2008 interviews that caused heavy damage to her reputation. Palin has spoken out against Couric on numerous occasions . The two women also recently came head-to-head in the ratings war between the network morning shows. When "Good Morning America" announced tha...

In this June 2, 2011, photo, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, holds a booklet depicting Paul Revere and speaks briefly with the media as she tours Boston's North End neighborhood. Steven Senne, Associated Press SALT LAKE CITY Lightning rod conservative Sarah Palin's unexpected endorsement of Sen. Orrin Hatch might have little impact on the senator's re-election bid. "I typically don't think endorsements are a big deal in either direction," said Quin Monson, associate director of the Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy at BYU. "The effect of this endorsement depends on how widely liked and respected Sarah Palin is among Republican primary voters." The former Alaska governor and vice presidential candidate announced her backing of Hatch on FOX News' "On the Record" Tuesday night, saying Washington needs "Mr. Balanced Budget." Orrin Hatch is part of the 1 percent. No, not that 1 percent youve heard about. Hes part of ...

Will Palin endorsement affect Hatch campaign? By Dennis Romboy May 23rd, 2012 @ 2:35pm SALT LAKE CITY Lighting-rod conservative Sarah Palin 's unexpected endorsement of Sen. Orrin Hatch might have little impact on the senator's re-election bid. "I typically don't think endorsements are a big deal in either direction," said Quin Monson, associate director of the Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy at Brigham Young University. "The effect of this endorsement depends on how widely liked and respected Sarah Palin is among Republican primary voters." The former Alaska governor and vice presidential candidate announced her backing of Hatch on FOX News' "On the Record" Tuesday night, saying Washington needs "Mr. Balanced Budget." Orrin Hatch is part of the one percent. No, not that one percent youve heard about. Hes part of the one percent of national politicians who I think should be re-elected," Palin posted on Faceb...

In this June 2, 2011, file photo former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, holding a booklet depicting Paul Revere, speaks briefly with the media as she tours Boston's North End neighborhood. Steven Senne, Associated Press SALT LAKE CITY Lighting-rod conservative Sarah Palin's unexpected endorsement of Sen. Orrin Hatch might have little impact on the senator's re-election bid. "I typically don't think endorsements are a big deal in either direction," said Quin Monson, associate director of the Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy at Brigham Young University. "The effect of this endorsement depends on how widely liked and respected Sarah Palin is among Republican primary voters." The former Alaska governor and vice presidential candidate announced her backing of Hatch on FOX News' "On the Record" Tuesday night, saying Washington needs "Mr. Balanced Budget." Orrin Hatch is part of the one percent. No, not that one percent youv...