[CynicalBear]

There will be a fine line to walk should she announce that she is running. Carefully positioning herself to cause the establishment to not completely dismiss or demean her yet maintain the enthusiastic support of all of the TEA folks. By giving someone like Hatch feigned support she disarms the GOP hacks and causes the moderates to “take a look”.

[TheCornerOffice]

By giving someone like Hatch feigned support she disarms the GOP hacks and causes the moderates to “take a look”.

And perhaps earns some points from him that she can collect later. I'm sure she's shrewdly building up lots of political debts that she'll collect on later.