Sarah Palin might not be trusted with nuclear weapons by everyone, but when it comes to creating buzz, she’s as reliable as they come. Palin rode into Washington, D.C. on a motorcycle today to kick off a bus tour of the Northeast, and got plenty of attention for it, including from a Fox News reporter on the scene – but judging by Palin’s enthusiasm when asked about the ride, it was well worth it, attention or not.

Sarah Palin‘s “One Nation” bus tour appeared to have gotten off to a false start yesterday as a member of the pro-veterans organization Rolling Thunder went on NBC to denounce her presence at an upcoming event of theirs, claiming no one had invited her. Turns out, as per organization spokesperson Christine Colborne, Palin had been invited, but had RSVP’d too soon for the group to announce her arrival to all its members.

Rolling Thunder is a non-profit organization which is dedicated to advocating on behalf of Prisoners of War and larger veteran issues and is best known for its annual motorcycle rides in Washington, D.C. on Memorial Day. Turns out that potential GOP candidate Sarah Palin has announced plans to attend the Rolling Thunder event at the Washington Mall this weekend, which according to Rolling Thunder spokesperson Ted Shpak, is a big distraction.

She’s got a bus covered in over-the-top patriotic images (Liberty Bell, Constitution, American flag, Sarah Palin’s signature) and she’s ready to roll. Sarah Palin sets off on the “One Nation” bus tour Sunday, and we’re getting a preview of the bus itself today. In case you forget the second half of the pledge of allegiance, fear not: it’s on the side of the bus. There’s also an invitation to “join the fundamental restoration of America!” Yep, it’s big and bold, but don’t be confused. It’s not the launch of a presidential campaign. It just looks that way.

It’s the end of the year, the time for handy lists and timelines recapping the touchstones of the past 12 months, freezing them in our ever-shortening collective memory.

Of course, some people just have to be different. Mediaite contributor and White House reporter Tommy Christopher pulls back the curtain on covering politics in 2009, and shares photos and videos that have never been seen before. Find out who the Secret Service did manage to keep out of the White House, what Joe Biden told his young mentorees, and much more.