[curiosity]

What Ziegler also fails to address, is who do we run if not Palin? Giuliani? Romney? Huckabee? McCain again? That right there is where his logic falls to pieces. There isn’t anyone else widely known.

Name recognition isn't as important as many people think.

Was Clinton widely known when he won the Dem nomination in 1992? Was Kerry in 2006?

For the Dems, at least, it seems possible for someone with limited name recognition to get the nomination. Perhaps its harder for our party, but I don't see why it must be true.

[dirtboy]

Was Clinton widely known when he won the Dem nomination in 1992? Was Kerry in 2006?

Neither won a majority of the popular vote in their respective elections.

[editor-surveyor]

"Name recognition isn't as important as many people think.
Was Clinton widely known when he won the Dem nomination in 1992? Was Kerry in 2006?"

Yes, and yes.