“every dollar that a potential Palin supporter has donated or will donate to another candidate - is a dollar she won’t get. Every potential supporter that has already become invested emotionally and/or financially in another candidate”
I think you are missing a basic point. Much of the Republican base hasn’t committed to ANYONE, yet.
Look what has happened so far.
Candidate rises, candidate falls. All the polling to date is useless.
That small donations money is sitting on the sidelines right now, WAITING...
Bingo. This describes all the conservatives I know. What they DO know is that Romney isn’t an option. Beyond that, it is a waiting game for the best conservative left standing.
Palin would be better, but you know if Cain somehow runs away with it from here (not likely but what if) that would be ok as well. What we do not want is another out-of-left-field McCain at the last minute. That would be like getting left with Ron Paul at the end. But you know what? Left with no other choice he’s a no brainer against Obama. At least the spending problem might get solved.