There’s a significant portion of Republicans that are favorably disposed to Palin, but who need to see that “she has what it takes”. To that segment of the GOP (and I’d pretty much put myself in this camp), Palin has to prove that she has the “chops” for the job.

About the worst thing she could do is not run for reelection – that be evidence to many that she’s a ‘lightweight’ and would allow the media to further their ‘framing’ of her that same way.

So, yeah, she needs to run again (and win) in 2010.

I have a lot of Respect for Sarah Palin but unfortunately she has been forever stained by John McCain. The media has turned her into a cartoon character and so she simply will not win in a presidential bid. She needs to stay governor of Alaska and work behind the scenes in the Republican party to get us back to our core principles of freedom, liberty, and defense. Maybe in 12 years she will be ready to run again but not now.

In my view, she’s much better off running for governor. She needs to show Alaska and the rest of the country that she’s up to running that state in a tough economy. At worst she should take on Murkowski.

Bush ran for re-election in 98 and it was clear he was going to run for President. Palin can do the same. The alternative is pulling a Romney and not seek re-election. I think it shows weakness and it will raise doubts. If she’s re-elected, she stands heads and shoulders above any other 1st-time competitors (Sanford, Pawlenty, etc.) and lets her go up against Romney and Huckabee (and maybe Giuliani) on very firm ground.

In my view, she’s much better off running for governor. She needs to show Alaska and the rest of the country that she’s up to running that state in a tough economy. At worst she should take on Murkowski.

Bush ran for re-election in 98 and it was clear he was going to run for President. Palin can do the same. The alternative is pulling a Romney and not seek re-election. I think it shows weakness and it will raise doubts. If she’s re-elected, she stands heads and shoulders above any other 1st-time competitors (Sanford, Pawlenty, etc.) and lets her go up against Romney and Huckabee (and maybe Giuliani) on very firm ground.

If Mrs. Palin does run for governor or senator in 2010, the media and her opponents will just spin it as she’s just using that office as stepping stone.

She can be a full-time campaigner for herself and other Republicans.

Or she could score the ultimate goal for women’s lib – just have her job be wife and mom and run for president as a mom.

Look at it this way, our current president drew a Senate salary while he was out running for President and even when he made it back to the Senate he often voted “present” – sort of a senator-in-name-only. I think Sarah Palin would show more integrity by NOT being a senator in 2010 if she’s going to run for president in 2012.

Alaska will back her if she runs for pres., no need to worry there.

Most people don’t pay much attention until the last minute anyway. By then, she’ll have more experience under her belt as an executive and being an currently-serving elected offical of course has it’s benefits.