Sarah Palin: America by Heart (Ca-Ching!)

Part of a contract rescued from a dustbin by students at the California State University, where Palin is due to give a speech in June, showed she had insisted on being flown there from her home in Alaska either first-class or on a private plane (“must be a Lear 60 or larger”), on being given a suite and two single rooms in a “deluxe hotel”, on being provided with “all meals and incidentals”, including a “laptop computer and printer (fully stocked with paper) and high-speed internet”, and – no detail being too small for her consideration – unopened water bottles with bendy straws beside them.  — from “Sarah Palin has been corrupted by wealth and fame” (The Guardian)

Sure, the cover is suffering from patriotic overkill.

For my money, though, “American by Heart” also telegraphs how much Palin — having ditched public service to become a full-fledged political celebrity — in now rolling in the benjamins. If the bejeweled flag pin has been a Palin trademark since the GOP convention, the photo showcases how much the riches are piling up.  Cocking her wrist to emphasize the bracelet, Palin’s as much showing off her bling as touting her patriotism.

But then, scoring off your celebrity and getting rich quick — isn’t that the American way (especially when political celebs can turn out books — and book tours — like sausage)?

(revised 7/31 3pm PST)