The same was said of the Tea Party movement.
In other phases of history, many people would cycle in and out of prominence, here today, gone tomorrow.
The circumstances of this particular phase of history is a once-in-a-lifetime, freight train out of control, barreling along to some unknown destiny, sort of thing. The few prominent figures now are destined to become more prominent, the more polarizing the better. People in the mushy middle will have to gravitate to one side or the other, or get caught caught in the crossfire.
Reagan was partly correct when he said that was a time for choosing (in 1964). This really is the time, the real Crisis Era of our existence. Financially, culturally, politically, this is the centenial battle of good versus evil.
If not Palin, then it must be someone equally polarizing. Right now, she is the one out in front on the side of good, and the most likely to remain there.