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We need an effective, winning candidate; and, that means someone who is willing to do the things a candidate has to do, to work for it. Actually enter the race, build a finance team and a campaign staff, win local endorsements, organize a real campaign on the ground, debate and defend their positions, develop and execute a campaign strategy. A Rosey Ruiz strategy is not going to cut it.

That's a good summary of the practical reality.

Palin supporters that have a 'hope and a prayer' view of this believe that Palin can break the above rules, the grassroots will spring like flowers after a thundrstorm, the party faithful will flock, and that those claiming otherwise are just out to hurt her chances.

Dont be hard on those who doubt the hope, which feels to some of us like hype. Even if you dont his critique of Palin and her supporters, Erick Erickson is a real conservative, a real activist, and someone who has helped advance the cause in many ways. The points he made about Palin, what she needs to do if she were to run and what her weaknesses are, are honest assessments of where she stands. confusing those assessments with the 'attack and spin' done by some on the 'other side' and/or calling Erickson 'vermin' etc. (as was done on this thread) really doesnt help at all. That's ad hominem. Its only spawns his own comments vis a vis Scientology. Let not go there.

Some real, genuine conservatives have great hopes for Palin. Some real, genuine conservatives have great doubts that Palin will be a candidate at all or will be effective if she runs. having seen the rise and fall of a number of stars, Gingrich for one, the biggest errors we could make is to see our leaders are perfect or infallible, and see fellow conservatives as traitors to the cause simply because we have a difference of opinion.