Despite the fact that Sarah Palin lost her bid for the Vice Presidency, she continues to attract nationwide attention. Internet searches such as "Sarah Palin Hot Photos," "Sarah Palin Naked" and "Sarah Palin Bikini"TIME: Searching for Palin's 'Hot Photos' (September 2, 2008) continue to be popular, despite the fact that the majority of these photos are "photoshopped" images. Most of the images have been created by pasting the former governor's head onto someone else's body.
One exception to the the fake photoshopped images was an August 2009 Runner's World cover story featuring Sarah Palin in her form-fitting running garb. Newsweek magazine later used one of these photos from the Runner's World spread for a controversial cover story on the Republican who seems equally beloved and despised among her own party. Palin claims use of the photo is sexist, while Newsweek maintains that is simply representative of the content of the article itself. The photos, which Palin originally posed for and approved of, became a trending topic on Twitter in July of 2009.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/17/newsweek-defends-provocat_n_360992.html
The former governor of Alaska also generated sexualized controversy in early June, 2010 when photos of Sarah Palin at the Belmont horse race surface in the media. In the photos, Palin is wearing a tight white t-shirt and appears to have a sizable chest. This sparked rumors that she had received breast implants during the downtime in her political career. Palin has vehemently denied that she has had breast augmentation. About the "Boobgate" controversy, she said to Fox News:
"No, I have not had implants. ... A report like that is about as real and truthful that Todd and I are divorcing or that I bought a place in the Hamptons or that Trig is not my own child. ... 'Boobgate' is all over the Internet, because there are a lot of bored, idle bloggers and reporters with nothing else to talk about."http://www.montrealgazette.com/entertainment/Palin+gets+Boobgate+complaint+chest/3154393/story.html
Sarah Palin Comments on Boob Job Rumors
This video is of the June 2010 interview when Fox News anchor Greta Van Susteren asked Sarah Palin if she had received a "boob job". Palin replies animatedly that she has not, and that she disapproves of the gossip, relating it to popular Internet rumors that she and her husband are divorcing, or that her son Trig is not really her own.
Sarah Palin on the Cover of "Running World"
This is the photo that ran on the cover of Running World magazine in August, 2009. The photo sparked controversy and lots of Internet chatter over the sexuality of the photo. Palin commented publicly that she disapproved of the photo and how it was used, despite having posed for the shoot and legally approving its use.
Sarah Palin Breast Implants Buzz
After this photo, and several taken at the same day and location, was released by the press, the Internet began to buzz with rumors that Palin had received breast implants during her downtime from the political world. Palin has adamantly denied that she has received any breast augmentation, but side-by-side photos of her bust appearance a year prior still has some bloggers skeptical she is telling the truth.
References
Fast Facts
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Fact:
A widely posted image showing Palin in a bathing suit holding a rifle is a Photoshopped fakeSnopes: Call to Arms (September 2008)
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One authentic photo of a young Palin shows her in a T-shirt that reads "I may be broke, but I'm not flat busted"Huffington Post: Palin's Family Provides 'Busty' T-Shirt Photo (August 31, 2008)
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In the last week of August 2008, there were more Palin searches than John McCain and Barack Obama searches combinedTIME: Searching for Palin's 'Hot Photos' (September 2, 2008)
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A popular Alaskan bumper sticker reads "Alaska: Coldest State, Hottest Governor"Anchorage Daily News: Palin strikes a pose for Vogue (December 13, 2007)
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Rush Limbaugh said of the Republican Party and Palin "We’re the ones with the babe on the ticket."TIME: Rush: “A Babe on the Ticket” (September 2, 2008)
