-—”Three years is an eternity in politics.”-—
True. But Demint isn't running, and I'll bet he's the first behind Mitch Daniels and an early favorite for Veep under him or anyone else.
-—”Can Palin attract enough independents and moderates to win?”-—
That will depend. The next election will be 90% a referendum on Obama (as all incumbent Presidential elections are), and Palin has the rare ability to max out right-of-center votes. McCain and Obama both got less votes than Bush, showing a vacuum that could be tapped. If the economy is doing well, Obama will be unbeatable, period. If there's an opening, I think Palin has the best shot of the mentioned names because of her ability to max the vote on the right side of the spectrum, especially in key states like IN, NC, OH, VA, etc. If we're to believe polling, she's 3 points down against Obama at her lowest point (within MOE), and that's with the media defining her on a daily basis, a luxury they will not be so much afforded in a daily Presidential campaign.
-—”Notice that McDonnell, Christie, and Brown did not seek nor did they receive Palin’s endorsement. Palin will have to answer a number of questions if she wants to be a viable candidate for President, FR polls aside.”-—
She gave her support before it was popular to do so in every case but Christie (for obvious reasons), a since forgotten fact. Don't forget Rubio, Kirk, McCain, Graham, Rand Paul, Blunt, and Burr, all of whom have openly sought the support of Sarah Palin, and will benefit from it.
-—”Palin will have to answer a number of questions if she wants to be a viable candidate for President, FR polls aside.”-—
The only question she has to answer to Conservatives is: can she win. There are no other relevant questions for her or any bona fide Conservative. Can they win?
The relevant question I have is: can anyone beat Romney and the GOP establishment? In my lifetime, only Reagan has beaten the GOP system. For Palin, or anyone else, it is a tall order to beat Romney right now. That's a painful truth.
