Sarah Palin is dumb, like a fox. Like Ronald Reagan before her, she has been viciously maligned by the Leftists; the media; and other Republicans. So, she's doing (and a very good job of it) what Reagan did: taking herself and message straight to the people.
She's NOT going to peak early.
You are correct IMHO. Why else are all of the other hopefulls be trying to get ‘face time’ by stepping in front of every TV camera?