[Graybeard58]

Romney, Huckabee and Gingrich, and any newcomer to the national stage, will have a tough time taking Palin on while not alienating those who are in her thrall.

Would you choose any of the 3 men you mentioned before Palin? If so, which?

[TigersEye]

Romney, Huckabee and Gingrich, ...

Would you choose any of the 3 men you mentioned before Palin?

I wouldn't vote for any of them even if Palin didn't exist.

[Wolfstar]

Would you choose any of the 3 men you mentioned before Palin? If so, which?

Right now I wouldn't choose any one of them, including Palin, over any other. It's way too early. Right now, the current lay of the political landscape seems to indicate Palin can waltz to the nomination if she wants it. But a lot can, and will, change between now and the first caucuses and primaries in 2012.

Unlike most here who bitch and moan if anyone even so much as looks cross-eyed at Palin, I want her to be battle tested in the rough-n-tumble of debates and primaries. I want her to prove to me that she's got what it takes. It isn't enough for me that someone espouse conservative ideas. I want to know they have the substance to govern wisely. The stakes are just way too high to settle for anything less.

Sometime in mid to late 2011, the field of Republican candidates will announce and have debates. Then we'll see.