Well written and even handed commentary. But, whatever the negative impression may have been or still is regarding Gov. Palin's decision to resign as governor, I would think you're aware of the fact that she and her family were being driven into bankruptcy by all of the baseless "ethics" complaints being lodged by D-Party operatives. I don't think she had much choice but to remove herself and family from what amounted to a killing zone.
Whether she runs in the primaries or not, she has done quite well financially since leaving office and is the only Republican politician out there who has made any real impact on the 2010 campaign. She has put the Rinosaurs who run the Republican Party and believe making nice with Marxists is the way to survive (frankly, I think most of them are afraid of winning ... it means having to, gulp!, take responsibility) on notice that their days are numbered.
If a better candidate comes along I will cheerfully vote for him or her. But in the meantime, who do you feel that person may be? Certainly not a political chameleon like Romney.
I should add ... I'm old enough to remember what the Republican establishment in 1978 thought Reagan's chances were to unseat Carter ... slim to none. To a man they thought nominating Reagan was the best hope Carter had to be reelected.
Of course we do not have any candidates yet but here are my choice in a "hypothetical" match up and putting name of people who may not run at all.
1. Rick Perry
2. Jim Demint
3. Tim Plawenty
4. Mitch Daniels
5. Haley Barbour
6. Sarah Palin and Mitt Romney