Po-tay-to, po-tah-to. Candidates begin running long before their formal announcement...amd I'd say that Sarah Palin is running. Considering it's going to be a crowded field then she's probably wise in doing so.
Apparently this will come as a shock to you, but pols often go through the motions of running without announcing. They want to get a sense of the buzz they create and test the water for how they will be received. They do this without announcing their candidacy because they don’t want to look fall flat out of the gate when THEY ACTUALLY MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT. Other Pols simply announce they are running and look stupid when they fall flat.
Another insight to Sarah’s political savvy and experience.