How long was that period?
I think the tea party largely emerged from the Palin candidacy, partly because she came out of election day fighting, leading, and refusing to be beaten by the media, She was helping candidates get elected within weeks of the 2008 election.
I watched those months as they emboldened other conservatives and politicians to start speaking more confidently, her public boldness and daring and remaining unbeaten created hope among conservatives nationally which contributed to an eagerness to rally to the tea party as an organization.
At the least, the timing was fortuitous.
Some Paulestinians claim that Ron Paul and his followers created the Tea Party long before Gov. Palin was nominated for the vice presidency.