Alaska’s Republican governor, Sarah Palin, has retained DC Democratic power player Robert Barnett to sell her presumed memoir of the 2008 campaign. The expected seven-figure book advance will make it easier for Palin to pay for travel to the “lower 48” for political events and then a presidential run.
The book could put Palin into a 2012 race with President Obama, who used the same lawyer and the same strategy—a big advance and a book—in part to back his early campaign efforts.
During the 2008 Democratic campaign, Barnett represented Obama, Hillary Rodham Clinton, and John Edwards, and 2012 could turn into another Barnett-vs.-Barnett race.
The Palin account could turn out to be very lucrative for Barnett. In addition to the advance he’s expected to get for the Alaska governor, Barnett also may try to sell a book for her daughter, Bristol Palin, who recently gave an interview to Fox News host Greta Van Susteren about the burdens of teen pregnancy.
A political-daughter book wouldn’t be a first for Barnett; he convinced publishers to give Mary Cheney a sizable advance for a book about her life in Republican politics as a lesbian, and he sold Jenna Bush’s young-adult book. He also once sold a compilation of letters to Socks and Buddy, the Clintons’ late pets.
This article first appeared in the April 2009 issue of The Washingtonian. For more articles from that issue, click here.
Palins Get Ready to Spill
Alaska’s Republican governor, Sarah Palin, has retained DC Democratic power player Robert Barnett to sell her presumed memoir of the 2008 campaign. The expected seven-figure book advance will make it easier for Palin to pay for travel to the “lower 48” for political events and then a presidential run.
The book could put Palin into a 2012 race with President Obama, who used the same lawyer and the same strategy—a big advance and a book—in part to back his early campaign efforts.
During the 2008 Democratic campaign, Barnett represented Obama, Hillary Rodham Clinton, and John Edwards, and 2012 could turn into another Barnett-vs.-Barnett race.
The Palin account could turn out to be very lucrative for Barnett. In addition to the advance he’s expected to get for the Alaska governor, Barnett also may try to sell a book for her daughter, Bristol Palin, who recently gave an interview to Fox News host Greta Van Susteren about the burdens of teen pregnancy.
A political-daughter book wouldn’t be a first for Barnett; he convinced publishers to give Mary Cheney a sizable advance for a book about her life in Republican politics as a lesbian, and he sold Jenna Bush’s young-adult book. He also once sold a compilation of letters to Socks and Buddy, the Clintons’ late pets.
This article first appeared in the April 2009 issue of The Washingtonian. For more articles from that issue, click here.
More>> Capital Comment Blog | News & Politics | Society Photos
Most Popular in News & Politics
Every Bus Line in DC Is Changing This Weekend. Here’s What to Know.
Yet Another Anti-Trump Statue Has Shown Up on the National Mall
8 Takeaways From Usha Vance’s Interview With Meghan McCain
Another Mysterious Anti-Trump Statue Has Appeared on the National Mall
Bans on Underage Vaping, Swastika Graffiti, Synthetic Dyes: New Virginia Laws Go Into Effect in July
Washingtonian Magazine
July Issue: The "Best Of" Issue
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
How Would a New DC Stadium Compare to the Last One?
The Culture of Lacrosse Is More Complex Than People Think
Did Television Begin in Dupont Circle?
Kings Dominion’s Wild New Coaster Takes Flight in Virginia
More from News & Politics
Pardoned J6er Will Join Ed Martin’s Justice Department Office, Trump Outlines Hypothetical Alligator Escape Plan, and We Have Fireworks Show Recommendations
The “World’s Largest Outdoor Museum” Is Coming to DC. Here’s a Preview.
A Cult Classic of Cannabis Brands Is Making Its DC Debut
The Commanders Wine and Dine DC Council Members; GOP Senator Suggests Tax Language Was “Airdropped” Into Spending Bill; and Trump Wants DOGE to Investigate Musk
100 Reasons to Love DC Right Now
How DC’s Attorney General Got So Good at Double Dutch
DC Council Ponders New Way to Expel Trayon White, the GOP’s Budget Bill Advances, and We Found You Some Tacos With Ethiopian Flair
For DNC Chair Ken Martin, the Big Beautiful Bill Is Personal