The race for the Republican presidential nomination got a major kick in the headlines on Tuesday when Sarah Palin threw her support behind Donald Trump.

Palin, the former Alaska governor and vice presidential candidate in 2008, spoke at a rally in Ames, Iowa in an unconventional address, which was equal parts enthusiastic and unconventional:

Trump’s candidacy, it has exposed not just that tragic ramifications of that betrayal of the transformation of our country, but too, he has exposed the complicity on both sides of the aisle that has enabled it, okay? Well, Trump, what he’s been able to do, which is really ticking people off, which I’m glad about, he’s going rogue left and right, man, that’s why he’s doing so well. He’s been able to tear the veil off this idea of the system."

Palin is a polarizing figure and her impact -- with the Iowa caucus less than two weeks away -- can't quickly be quantified, although the entertainment value is already being felt:

For his part, Trump was pleased as punch with the endorsement. Prior to bringing her up to speak, he described her as "someone who I've respected for so long." Given his track record of feuds, though, cynics would no doubt point out this relationship could end quickly if he loses the nomination and point to her endorsement as the reason why.

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