This is not 1979!!
You’re right: The news cycle is 24/7 now on many channels, along with the blogsphere, the nutroots and much more. Why give those people more time to attack you?
Exactly right. It is 2011 and unlike Reagan in 1979, Palin can reach millions of people instantly with a single Facebook post or YouTube video. If I remember correctly, Reagan put out a "video" of his announcement but was at the mercy of the major networks to put it on the air. Palin can bypass the mainstream media completely to get out her message and through a website, can raise millions of dollars virtually overnight.
Suggestion for Palin, setup an option on her website to allow monthly donations by credit card. That way, regular people can donate for example, $25 a month to her campaign.