Sarah Palin takes first step towards 2012 presidential run

SarahPAC believes energy independence is a cornerstone of the economic security and progress that every American family wants and deserves.

The PAC has a website and a post office box in Arlington, Virginia but has not yet formally filed its incorporation papers with the Federal Election Commission. According to an official with Sarahpac, papers were filed last night around 5 pm with the FEC and the PAC should be official by later today.

Sarahpac is "dedicated to building America's future, supporting fresh ideas and candidates who share our vision for reform and innovation," according to a statement on the PAC's website.

The PAC's mission statement also highlights the importance of energy independence to the future of the Republican Party and the country at-large, a signal that Palin's likely 2012 bid will have energy policy at its foundation. (Putting energy at the center of Palin 2012 is a smart move, wethinks, given that energy was one of the few issues where Palin seemed entirely at ease during her vice presidential candidacy last year.)

“In August 2008, Senator John McCain tapped Gov. Palin to serve as his vice presidential running mate in his Presidential campaign, thus making her the first woman to run on the Republican Party's presidential ticket,” reads the site's only reference to the campaign.

The website has no mention of her future political plans or candidates she supports.