Mitt has the elites locked up or at least most of them. there may be some faction forming to go head to head with him but as of now he has the backrooms locked to his support.
Palin has the people or at least enough of them to stop others from getting a huge following which they will need in the primary. For another candidate to come along and get that type of support will require millions in ads, stellar debate performances and a sterling public record. Not impossible but extremely difficult.
You can consider 2010 as “prepping the battlefield of 2011 and 2012”
Palin and Mitt are doing the prepping. All other candidates at this stage are deciding to join the battle on their own, pick a side, or sit out. Palin and Mitt have in military terms again stolen a march on their enemies.
Neither one of them will be the nominee.