Rumors rampant Palin moving to Arizona

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., May 22 (UPI) -- Lawyers declined comment on an Arizona real estate transaction that could result in Alaska's Sarah Palin relocating to Scottsdale.

A $1.7 million cash deal closed on an 8,000-square-foot house in northern Scottsdale at about the same time chatter began in political circles that Palin was looking at the upscale Phoenix suburb as a potential base for a 2012 presidential run, The Arizona Republic reported Saturday.

Palin was the vice presidential running mate of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., in 2008 and, the Republic said, has also been mentioned as a potential candidate for the seat of retiring Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz. Palin's daughter, Bristol, recently bought a house in the Phoenix area.

The Phoenix newspaper said the transaction involved a limited liability company and was being handled by a law firm that refused to comment on whether or not it was working for Palin.

While Palin's camp has not commented, Democratic activists are already spreading the word among supporters as part of their fundraising efforts, the Republic said.