Though I refuse to get hyped up (it's four years out, we have to fight Obama for at least the next three before we deal with the primary) I would note that he and Palin would make a great team for this reason. If his term as governor is successful, they'll both have a reputation as proven reformers. Then, Palin (with a bit of seasoning and preparation) serves as the idea woman/leader of the movement type, and he gets the job Al Gore had in the first term (rework the government) and actually does it.
I live here in Louisiana, he’s being trained well to clean up after 0bama.