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Sarah Palin is running for president.

I'm going with my initial gut, which has always said she is running in 2012.

She needs to be in the continental United States now if she wants to build up her credentials for 2012. She needs to speak at political events, support conservative candidates for 2010, learn more about the issues, learn to communicate her message effectively, learn the Washington DC ropes, build a solid campaign foundation and fundraising machine, and most importantly, build public support system that can help get her message out.

She cannot do that stuck in Alaska as governor. No one knows what is happening up there. Alaska is a great state, but the location is still far away to run for higher public office such as president. It is difficult to be known down here as opposed to up in Alaska (or Hawaii as well). Nor can she run effectively constantly fighting these frivolous ethics complaints, which she has won all 15. And she knows the media will do what they can to destroy her. And even the moderate wing of the GOP want her out of the running for 2012.

Of all the options available, this was the most reasonable and effective for her long-term prospects. If she serves out her term, she loses a year and a half trying to campaign in the continental US. If she runs for re-election, she loses even more time.

This was the best move she could make. A bold move. She even admitted she is unconventional.

And why not be unconventional? Political success is replete with the unconventional ending up as the big winners. Margaret Thatcher was labeled unconventional. She went against the mold. She shocked the world and won. LBJ in Texas was called a loser, had no chance, had no money or political support; so he knocked on doors of the common person and did the unconventional--and he won over a powerful incumbent. My point is that the elite Washington establishment, moderate GOPers, pseudo-conservatives, and bloggers that are brushing Sarah Palin off as RIP in 2012 are in for a rude awakening. Far from being politically dead with her announcement, she just went up through the stratosphere with common Americans. We understand her! We feel her! She is one of us! The elites and Palin detractors do not get her popularity and it shows in their irrational coverage and commentary.

Sarah Pain draws in massive crowds. She creates enthusiasim. Can communicate with the common person like no other political figure today. She drives the elites insane. She has unmatched authenticity. She's got the "it" factor is spades. The Left fears her. The media fears her. Obama FEARS her.

And she knows all of this.

She quoted Douglass McArthur by saying, "We are not retreating. We are advancing in another direction." This is no mere happenstance quote. McArthur is also known more famously for saying, "I shall return." That is the real veiled message she is sending to the world and supporters.

She is running for president. And I couldn't be happier!

She's going to build a political machine. In the speech she said she would go anywhere and appear with candidates that have similar views (regardless of party) and support them. This is the way it is done, 2 years from now she will have LOTS of favors to collect on and every official she helps elect will now make their political machine available to her. Plus, she has nothing to gain and everything to lose staying a governor of Alaska. All they will do is continue to undermine her effectiveness as governor because they see her as a threat. On the other hand, current politics shows that rock-star status is much more important than actual accomplishments. Note that 0bama was a senator in name only, and even tried his best in years leading up to his run for president to avoid voting for anything so a position could be established. My take is that she will travel unfettered by the governorship, build her political machine, raise money (for her family included) and freely take pot-shots at the current administration. Since she will not be governor their biggest ammunition against her will be gone.