I suspect the intent of this change is to put a premium on money and organization and to take its toll on an outsider’s ability to raise enough money to stay in the race over a protracted timeframe.
As you indicate, they may not like what they get if Palin is a candidate.
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Can you see me smiling?
So that was you with that big ol’ grin? :)
The downside of this change, however, is that more precious time and money will be spent on an intra-party fight rather than getting at the Marxists. We’ll see how it works out. I have reservations about any scheme cooked up by the GOP establishment.