Palin is waiting a little longer to cast her endorsement for the next MOST likely Conservative nominee. I think that will happen before the convention.
Her endorsement will be seismic. Whoever gets it will have a vastly enhanced opportunity to actually BE the nominee. THAT individual, as President, will find a place for Palin on his/her staff/administration and she will be wonderfully well positioned to run for President afterward.
I have said this before: Palin is here to stay! Is that too crazy?
I generally agree with everything you said Smarty but I think the endorsement of Rick Perry will come sooner rather than later.
If she does that and Perry becomes president she WILL be, at the very least, appointed to an important ambassadorship.