I do agree Palin was the only legitimate threat to the Obama campaign and the media sensed that and acted collectively to destroy her - and has not let up since.
She came off not quite ready for prime time, though by far the most values-consistent of any of the candidates last year.
The McCain campaign was a train wreck, and toward the end, attempted to use Palin as a scapegoat, when the facts show Palin was far more popular than McCain, and brought in more money for the campaign.
Will she be a viable candidate in 2012?
She will need to emerge with a stronger image following the 2008 campaign, and be reelected in Alaska.
If she can do that, then yes - she might very well prove the most formidable opponent Obama has yet faced, including Hillary...
Well therein lies the reason for the spewing... At the moment she's the only viable candidate... Romney bailed in the face of the weakest candidate since Dole... I can't see him coming back... although it's possible. I won't vote for him... I don't think Gulliani will tee it up again, but who knows...
I use the theory that who ever the media is ragging on the most, is the one they feel is the toughest to beat. See anyone ragging on either of the two would-be front runners?
At the moment Palin is the one to beat and I haven't heard anything that leads me to believe that she's beatable in Alaska. The political machine there hates her guts... and that means that she's the best candidate; where best is defined as honorable, principled and a person of high moral character.
Romney is a viable candidate, he is bright, and well educated in economics, just what this nation will need in another 4 years of Barry. What threw him out of the primaries was the media. Remember that McCain was losing bigtime in the first few primaries, no money and about to bail. The media stepped in and took over for him, because he was the easiest candidate to defeat in the big election. The biggest drawback to Romney is his religion, which I really don't think should be a deal breaker for any candidate. But the media will make a big deal out of it.
Yes, I would have much preferred Romney over McCain--& really don't understand how McCain got in there in the first place. I guess that gives us an idea of how well a "moderate" republican Presidential candidate does.
I think in 2012 Newt Gingrich is going to be front & center. I am not really sure what Palin's plans are. About a week ago she was interviewed by FNL & was asked if she was going to enter in 2012 & said NO. We'll see if she changes her mind.