Truth is no one I know can tell you whether or not she is running or not.
The effort to take her out is primarily buy the left since they know she can sway loads of seats both in the House and Senate plus raise millions over the next year and a half.Run or not.
Palin can singlehandedly destroy the left. They know it and they must take her out.
You're right, who needs these pesky formalities? Let's just proceed to the coronation.