That implies voters can look at an issue with clear eyes, beyond the notion of "change." On Nov 2, much of 0bama's agenda was rejected, not his background. Why does this matter? The media gives 0bama a pass on the background issue. Were he a GOPer in 2008, they would've shredded him from coast to coast. That's what Sarah will face if she throws in for 2012.
Most of us understand and appreciate the reasons for Sarah's quitting the governorship of Alaska. The financial toll from defending against those frivolous "ethics complaints" took a huge toll on the Palins. Of course it wasn't that Sarah is a quitter... we as conservatives understand... but the overall electorate isn't as thoughtful, especially when prodded in a particular direction by a leftist media.
If Sarah does run in 2012, she will have to address that issue... and it'll be a tough sell.
I think the world of Sarah Palin and will support her if she's the nominee, but I'd rather see her opt for RNC Chair or something in which she can better leverage her strengths.
I think that is part of the reason for the rock climbing, halibut fishing, snow skiing, etc, to portray her as being physically as well as emotionally and mentally strong...
That said, I think Sarah is particularly vulnerable because she is so genuine and open. On top of that, I think she is going to have trouble attracting independents without which she cannot win.
In fact, I know conservative women who rail against Sarah because she (in their opinion) "flies by the seat of her pants" and does not speak in a deliberate manner. In a meeting a few weeks back when the subject turned to Sarah there was a female chorus of complaints chanting "the mouth, the mouth...the mouth on that woman."
IMO if Sarah is serious, she needs to get a coach to help her polish her speaking style (to soften it and add a touch of deliberateness). As you may recall, Maggie Thatcher worked with a National Theatre voice coach who lowered her pitch by 46 Hertz to a point where it fell half-way between the range of male and female.
I'm not saying Sarah should do the same thing, but coaching helps!
She is lucky in that she has the truth on her side. Obama paid operatives, some using cartoon character names, were filing dozens of bogus ethics claims that she was forced to defend. It was bankrupting her family and keeping her from doing her job as Governor.
The narrative that she "quit' makes it sound like she was just lazy and didn't care...that is obviously NOT true. So the Alinsky tactics continue...it is just sad to se people on our side falling for it.
During the campaign I'm sure the issue will come up, and she will have an opportunity to address it. Once people see how vile and deceitful her political enemies were, her popularity will only grow. Tough sell?
Hardly...