Watch how much money flows in when she announces. Watch the poll numbers when she announces.
Palin, is at best, the Phil Crane of the 2012 primaries.
Exactly right. Up until now, no one's seen Palin actually campaign in earnest. Her vast number of supporters have been floating in a sort of limbo - just waiting for the day when they can be unleashed.
Once she declares, and is in it to win it, the gloves are going to come off, and she'll begin reaching all of those waffling Americans who aren't sure about her.
So far, she's mostly been judged on past performance, her public statements, and speculation (both pro and con). It shouldn't take a genius level I.Q. to size Palin up, but for many, apparently it does.