Not only am I old enough to remember Reagan (voted for him twice), I am old enough to remember Nixon. I remember also that back then there was no 24/7 news cycle, there was no internet, there was no Free Republic, and perhaps more important, the primaries were not so early as they are now. The IA caucus was nothing. Nothing. It all began in NH. It was a different era altogether. Same is true of all the others you referenced. CNN was still a babe in the 24 hour news when the latest of them, Clinton, announced.
I’d say Palin isn’t too late to get in the game, but she is cutting it awfully close, and in the meanwhile has alienated a lot of folks who’d have crawled across broken glass to get her elected. This whole thing would have been hers just a few months ago if she wanted it. I am not so sure she wants it. And I sure can’t imagine WHY she would want it. Remember, you don’t have to hold an office to be effective!
All I know is I am not enthralled by these candidates talking about drugs and Social Security.
It makes me want to indulge in some and wait for the other.
Sarah might actually take on the enemy from day one. She seems to know who that is as well.