HOWARD MEGDAL: The 2012 primaries are a long way off, but by any measure, Sarah Palin is the favorite right now to be the GOP standard-bearer in the next presidential election. GOP strategist Phil Musser, among many others, have come to this conclusion. I have felt this way since the fall of 2008, and nothing that has taken place since then has changed my mind. When I evaluate presidential prospects for a nomination, I take several factors into account. I want to see that the person has a base of support-clearly, Sarah Palin has a strong set of GOP voters...