Sarah Palin Emails

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin speaks at a Tea Party rally held by Americans for Prosperity at the Wisconsin State Capitol April 16, 2011 in Madison, Wisconsin.

June 11, 2011 Sarah Palin was eyeing the vice presidential nomination months before John McCain made her the official pick, but as media and public attention on her grew, she struggled with the negative press and emails she received.

The content of the emails ranges from state business to questions of haircuts, elation over her vice presidential nomination to surprise at how fast she was catapult onto the national stage, and, in some of the most revealing messages, personal distress about the negative media that surrounded her.

The emails show Palin considering the vice presidential spot and paying close attention to mail from her constituents in the months leading up to McCain's selection of a vice presidential nominee.

"Sarah Palin should run for Vice President of the United States," wrote Richard Casey of Colorado in a message to the governor's website in June 2008. "She is terrific! A vote from Colorado."

William McKane of South Dakota wrote: "I think that she would make a first-rate running mater for Senator John McCain. Please encourage her to accept it asked! What can we do to encourage Senator McCain to put her on the ticket?"