That's just liberal-speak for "We hate her with all our hearts, but can't find anything of real substance to hold against her"...
Are you referring to the nomination or general election? She may win the nomination but is at a 15% (36% to 51%) deficit with independents and that will hurt her chances in the general. The conservative base will turn out for her, but we're just simply not strong enough in numbers to carry the day.
As for her messaging, yes, her messages are heard, but when people start really paying attention to the 2012 election, Sarah is going to have be able to present her case in specificity and detail. I completely agree with her stances - support to our allies, staunch support of Israel. But she is going to have to get far more specific about those issues...troop strengths, tactics and strategies.
On the upside, she's stronger on domestic policy, and on energy matters especially; I've seen her on-site interviews with Greta Von Susteren about the ANWR and other Alaskan oil/natural gas production, and she has unmatched expertise in that area. She needs to be able to speak just as comfortably about our Afghan policy, Pakistan, China, Russia, Iran, the Korean peninsula, the Middle East, general GWOT issues, etc.
I'm not down on her -- I want her to succeed and as a 28-year military retiree, would be proud to call her Commander-in-Chief. My point is... to get there, her task is to convince those critical independent voters she is an acceptable alternative to what we have now. We in FR know she is, but it's the American electorate she has to win over. And she's not there, yet.
“Tell us who is a more viable candidate than Sarah.”
I think a Jim DeMint/Marco Rubio ticket would be very strong and excite the Tea Party. I’d also like to See Palin/DeMint, DeMint/Palin (don’t know how willing either would be up or down ticket on that.)