The establishment clearly wanted Romney. I think they've managed to get him.
Friend, you only have to review the last year of her activities to lift the veil on what she's been doing. No one in her position would have said and done all that she has, during such a critical time as this, if they had no intention of running for president.
Apply this bit of reasoning to the question as well..... would she have allowed millions of her staunchest supporters to organize for an anticipated presidential campaign on her behalf, if she weren't running? Would she have allowed them to expend so much energy from coast to coast for over a year, if she truly hadn't made up her mind to run? Do you think she would allow everyone in the country to be hung up about her intentions, if she really weren't already committed to running?
The logical answer is, no. She wouldn't betray the trust of so many admirers and broken glass supporters in that way. I don't even think a dirty dog liberal would do such a thing, if they were in her position. Much less Sarah Palin.
Palin is strategically timing her entry into the race. There is absolutely nothing to be gained by her being a part of the early stages of the primary, but plenty to lose. She is wise to delay entering until the last possible moment. She saves hers and her supporters' time, energy, and resources by remaining undeclared for now, and she loses nothing in the bargain.
Her communication lines to the public are still wide open, and she continues to get her message out in speeches, tweets, TV appearances, videos, and articles. Being officially declared would not improve that.
At the same time, she isn't being damaged in the primary battle, like the others are. Being officially declared would only increase the likelihood that she would.
In addition to that, she isn't battling for attention by positioning herself within the field, and is benefiting by the weekly attrition occurring among the candidates.
Now that this has all been going on for some time, her strategy is clearly visible, and must be grating on some of those who were forced to join the demolition derby earlier than they wanted to.
She has played this masterfully, and will no doubt, continue to do so. She's obviously many, many moves ahead of her rivals on the electoral chess board.