I think if McCain wins and decides to be a one termer, you’re right.
I think if McCain loses he takes Palin down with him as far as national ambition goes.
She would return to Alaska and be out of the public eye. She will be great for GOP fundraising since the base loves her, but she wouldn’t get out of the 2012 GOP primaries unless she is the incumbent VP going for the presidency and McCain is retiring.
Most presidents are two termers, so if Obama wins, odds are he will be a two termer.
Moreover, much as Reagan's loss to Jerry Ford led to his subsequent ascendancy, Sarah will either rise from her Vice-Presidency when McCain hangs it up after a single term -or- if they lose in a fortnight, she is the odds-on GOP favorite and, thereby, (give four years of Bama socialism ...) the next President.
So, there it is ....
“Most presidents are two termers, so if Obama wins, odds are he will be a two termer.”
If he wins and you think we are getting past 2012 alive, you’re an optimist.