Sarah Palin is the natural leader of the Republican Party. It will be much easier for her to lead now that she’s not Governor of Alaska anymore. She’s the most popular R, drawing 20k.
She might be one of the most popular Republicans with the base for right now, but she’s not the most electable.
Perhaps there aren’t any electable Republicans right now.
The party is going to die without some new blood, or a triumphant return of some old heroes.