Tea Party maverick Sarah Palin, whose eccentric vice-presidential candidacy electrified conservatives during the 2008 presidential elections, has finally announced she’s not running for president.
End of a circus
Palin’s decision means Republicans are stuck with an unsatisfactory presidential field. As the New York Times correctly reported, the eventual candidate will either be a moderate who will alienate a section of the party or an extremist who will eventually cost them the presidency. Michael Shear writes that:
Republican voters are going to pick a challenger for President Obama who is a pragmatic member of the party’s establishment — or they will coalesce behind a firebrand whose primary appeal is to the Tea Party movement.
At a time when the economy and Obama’s approval ratings are tanking, this looks like a good scenario for democrats.
King maker
Now that Palin has announced she’s not running, the battle for her endorsement has officially begun. Though her image within the GOP is at an all time low, many within the Tea Party still adore Palin. Her endorsement will be much sought. Currently Michelle Bachman is the Tea Party proxy within the current crop but I doubt Palin will endorse her. If the race ends up being between Romney and Perry Palin might end up standing behind the latter.
Mrs. Palin’s decision not run will not be the end of her political career. In fact as she admits, she now has even more latitude to comment or criticize without feeling trapped by campaign officials. She might even end up on the Vice-presidential ticket.
With both she and Christie deciding not to run, conservatives now have no choice but to choose among the current crop. Time is not on their side.
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