I disagree with your reasoning, since she already is a public figure.
On the other hand, I did think when I saw this that it lowered the probability of her runinng — just because I can’t ever remember a politician in a campaign battle actually being in the middle of a defamation suit.
It also seems that by filing suit, she will make every allegation in his book “news-worthy”. Which wouldn’t be a problem in her current position, but could make things more difficult in terms of getting widespread popular support and changing her image in the minds of the independents she needs to get elected, should she be running for President.
But guessing whether Palin is running or not is a fool’s game. She’ll decide one way or another, she’ll announce it, and then we’ll know — and before that, she might as well be Shrodinger’s cat.
“It also seems that by filing suit, she will make every allegation in his book “news-worthy”.”
If her lawyers do have an authentic e-mail that shows that both Random House and Mcguines knew the allegations were false thereby showing the publication of these “facts” were known to be lies and that they were intentionally harmful (Malice aforethought) Palin does indeed have a winable case.
Given Obama’s, and the DNC’s, penchant/history for engaging in smear tactics like this book, a suit by Palin could be a pre-emptive move against their running a dirty tricks campaign against her.
We don’t have all the facts yet, but on the face of it, I would say that Palin is making a smart move in dealing with this and other potential smears that could be launched later on in the 2012 Presidential camp[aign. There will be no “October Surprise” against this woman.