I'm not thrilled with her decision to leave office, although that view is softening as I see how much she is doing for America, but I (mostly) agree with her political endorsements. She did a good job of picking the strongest conservative who had a chance of winning. Frankly, in a couple of cases, I think she put conservatism ahead of the chance of winning a general election by too much. My hope is that she correctly judged the extra boost that her endorsement and Obama's unpopularity will give in the general election and not just in a primary, but we may lose a couple of races we could have won with a more moderate but still pro-gun, pro-life fiscal conservative. Her loyalty to McCain is not my style, although I can forgive loyalty, but for her other endorsements I'd rather win on the big issues (or on as many big ones as possible) than lose with someone who agrees with me 100%.
I've been thinking about that.
It would look very bad for her if she didn't support McCain...kinda like how Algore looked when he didn't endorse Joe Lieberman for prez in 2004. Petty.
I've recognized for awhile that her endorsements and support position her perfectly for a run in 2012. I don't know whether she will or not.
She's done so by helping the Haleys, etc. I just realized that helping McCain is a part of that...a message to other politicians that she's loyal, and won't pull the rug from under their feet when politically expedient.
That has incredible value, especially to women politicians...and voters.