I think people advise her on which landmarks to visit and then she just makes up a conservative treatise to go with them. The Statue of Liberty comment was part of a prepared speech, the one in Boston was an off-the-cuff remark to a reporter, but both have the same nonsensical surreality, which to me indicates that it's all just made up on the fly. I doubt that she puts any more real thought into her speeches than she does into her interviews or her tweets.

If she weren't so dangerous, this could be a really fun game -- match the landmark to a cherished bit of conservative ideology! Anyone can play! The Grand Canyon would be a great place to link the wonders of creation to the idea that America's founding fathers wouldn't agree with teaching evolution (bonus points if you can take a slam at the government-funded public school system). The St. Louis Arch is a symbol of manifest destiny so that clearly translates into drill baby, drill. Anything to do with the Civil War could easily support an abortion ban now that they're trying to equate abortion with slavery. See how easy it is! I just made those three up right now, putting no more effort into it than I'm sure Ms. Palin does.