Oh, I guess then Frum doesn't matterf (actually, he doesn't), nor Trotter, nor Krauthammer, nor Parker, nor etc. etc. etc. of all the unelected punditry whose opinions count no more, and often much less, than those of Palin, who still appears to have a huge following.
I don't doubt that her influence will decline if she's not in the hunt, but your "she doesn't matter" I expect is mostly wishful thinking. I'm looking forward to your wishes being dashed.
I was a supporter of hers until she announced that she wasn’t running for president. She milked it until the end.