Free Republic

The question on everyone’s mind loomed throughout Sarah Palin’s hour-long appearance in North Naples on Wednesday: Will Floridians see more of the former Alaska governor and Republican vice presidential candidate in 2012? The answer was simple: You betcha. “I’m thinking about it and praying about it,” Palin said when asked whether she’d run for president in 2012. “(But) whether I’m a candidate or not … I’m going to stay engaged.” Palin spoke to a sold-out audience Wednesday as part of the Naples Town Hall Distinguished Speakers Series at the Ritz Carlton Naples Beach Resort. Her speech focused on issues facing...

<p>The last time members of the political establishment and media commentators seriously grappled with the question posed by my title occurred in the weeks following Senator John McCain’s seemingly mercurial and impulsive selection of Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate. Many would say that doubts about the intellectual and leadership fortitude of Ms. Palin as a possible successor to an elderly and illness-prone Senator McCain, had he prevailed in the 2008 U.S. presidential election, was a leading factor in persuading many independent voters, and even some Republicans, to cast their votes for Barack Obama.</p>

Over the past couple of years people continue to scratch their heads on why Sarah Palin, a true Conservative was chosen by the Washington establishment insider John McCain as his running mate. Sarah Palin was far and away the most popular Governor in America, as her approval ratings in Alaska approached the 80% range. After working for the McCain/Palin ticket on the local level, I could see immediately that other than Palin and a few advisors the majority of the team was satisfied in handing the presidency over to a known radical. Many in the McCain camp were more concerned...