The difference is that Palin’s conservative supporters feel passionately about her and once you are a Palin supporter you are not going anywhere else. We will live or die with Palin in the GOP primaries. Other than Reagan no other conservative but Palin brings that type of zeal and commitment out of her supporters.
As I said earlier, conservatives felt that way about Reagan in 1980 and his campaign was almost toast going into NH. Don't underestimate the task ahead. There isn't near the unanimity among conservatives now as there was then.
Read Craig Shirley's book on Reagan's wilderness years and the 1980 campaign. The dejavu factor is eerie. :)
Amen, brother!