Both Bachmann and Palin’s influence will wane. Bachmann’s money will dry up, and she’ll have to drop out of the race. Palin either will have to get in the race and have to take on the other candidates, or sit out. Palin does well when she can control the message. I don’t think she would do as well if she were at the podium in place of Perry, getting shots from all sides. If she sits out, she will struggle to remain relevant.
Romney won’t be able to generate the enthusiasm necessary to get the nomination. He spent enough time last night being a demagogue.
I think that Palin is hoping to remain relevant until the end of the race and win a seat on the ticket of the winner, as the VP. I think that she has already made the decision that will be either Bachman or Romney and is doing her best to knock Perry out of the top spot, much like Huckabee did to Romney in the last election.