She should have ridden out the sh!tstorm for at least one term. Granted, it would have been hell, but it would have proven her mettle to those beyond conservatives. Most Americans (outside of the Freepers) are likely she will now cut and run when the going gets too rough.
Fred Thompson had a different, but similar issue—he wanted the GOP nomination handed to him on a silver platter without working for it.
Plan B was build a strong conservative opposition to the Democrats and get rich to boot.
Now that's what I call 'fire in the belly'. Right now, she has no match.
Creative comparison. While I think Fred would have been a good president, and I voted for him in the primaries, he had some talent in a debate but no skill at all in delivering political speeches. Fred, unfortunately, was an even weaker campaigner than McCain and had no chance to win. In contrast, Sarah Palin may be the best political speaker in our country today. The nomination is not being handed to her. The Dems in power hate her and fear her. The RINOs in power hate her and fear her. The vast majority of those in the media hate her and fear her. No one wants her to win . . . except for Americans who support the Constitution. She's not the best candidate imaginable, nor will she be the best president imaginable, but she can win and she will be better in office than anyone else in the picture today. I'd like to find someone even better, but at least for now she has my vote.
No, it wouldn't have been hell.
Do you have any clue what would have been involved?