My wife, who likes Sarah, sees too many Republican women that don't like Sarah and my wife has hopes that she will not run.
Women in politics, as opposed to other meritocracies, are selected by the voters and there is and always has been a misogynistic aspect to voters for the top office. It is what made Hillary so vulnerable in her own party.
Sarah Palin can win the arch conservative vote toward some of the primaries, but the farther we get away from voters that are voting on strict adherence to principles, the lower her numbers will be despite her very best efforts.
As a King Maker, she would be a key to our win, as a candidate she has a more difficult future.
I see a LOT of university students, even College Republicans, who never bring her up when talking about who they want to run. It’s always (inexplicable to me) Romney or Huckabee. So your wife’s experience, I think, is quite accurate.