Drawing crowds, in and of itself, while impressive, doesn't do much for the conservative cause. Drawing crowds and ispiring the people to work for conservative causes, that would be accomplishing something. I don't see any evidence that she did this.
Her popularity appears to be more of a personality cult.
When Gov. Palin had the crowds she kept true to her pro-life; pro-gun; pro-drilling stands.
99% of the people in those crowds were already pro-gun, pro-life and pro-drilling. The crowds she draws prove nothing more than she's very good at preaching to the converted.
It doesn't take much, especially if you're from a place like Alaska, to say you're pro-life, pro-gun and pro-drilling. Furthermore, merely saying the right things on these issues, which is all she's done, doesn't accomplish anything.
She spoke as a true conservative to thousands!!! No wishy washy RINO she is a true Reagan Republican
She's shown herself to be a true conservative on exactly three issues. There's a lot more to being conservative.
Furthermore, she's revealed herself to be somewhat left of center on other important issues, such as immigration and fiscal policy.
...and her ideas were well received!!!
What ideas?
Talking points on exactly three issues aren't ideas.
Personality CULT? left of center?
You mean Mitt Romney, the tuberculosis of the GOP.