This is what I've been saying. Why on earth would you want to be VP when you could be a TV rock star making 10 million a year, or who knows, with her own line of make up, outdoor gear, snowmobile related products (for Todd), maybe much more. As a public servant, she would get dissed by the tanning bed media, and have real responsibilities. I love Sarah, but I'm not sure she's cut out to be POTUS. She has some virtues that Obama lacks (sympathy for the small businessperson for example) but I'm hopeful the GOP will be able to come with someone with more universal appeal. Besides, she is a lock as a media star and a presidential run would be a long shot, unless Obama is a complete disaster.
She obviously has a taste for the finer things in life, and why not. With a book deal or three, her own show on Fox, etc etc, she can equip herself in style for every new season. She could be the Oprah for the pickup truck set.
I for one hope that not everyone is motivated by mere money. Her family seems comfortable, and even if she never becomes POTUS she can be a very useful politician. Also, not everyone is psychologically set up to be on TV as a career. She may be too level-headed.
Posted by: JorgXMcKie | November 10, 2008 at 07:22 PM
Weird thought here, but I think she'd make a damned fine President, so I hope she runs and wins. (And one of the reasons I think she'd make a damn fine President is that I think the idea of being the White Trash Oprah probably makes her want to take a shower. When did this become a nation of wankers?)
BTW, "universal appeal" got us John McCain, and might get us Romney in 2012. This has not and will not be a prescription for success.
Posted by: Mark Poling | November 10, 2008 at 07:24 PM
Or, she could spend the next three years proving her bona fides, then run for, and win, the Presidency.
Posted by: buford Gooch | November 10, 2008 at 07:34 PM
TV? Pah. Weekly Internet weblog? Better, and a modern twist on Reagan's radio commentaries when he was refining his conservative positions.
Posted by: Just John | November 10, 2008 at 07:39 PM
Alaskan Senator then a POTUS run. Romney's veep material. A Palin/Romney ticket might be feasible, yet it's all a long way off and a shockingly large enough number people have voted for an empty suit. Granted, Bush and 8 years of endless media bashing (even when not deserved) and bias can cause people to do strange things.
Posted by: Roger Godby | November 10, 2008 at 08:05 PM
Just John,
That's a great idea. Palin for President! There have been other politicians who have tried talk shows, I have always thought they burned out when they did that. If you think that you have to sell your soul to be in politics all you have to do is look at the trash that is television to know that it can be worse.
Posted by: annas | November 10, 2008 at 08:15 PM
For her, politics and celebrity are not mutually exclusive. So long as she chooses her projects carefully, she can keep her profile high, polish her credentials and establish herself as a serious thinker. Much like Reagan did. Appearing on "CSI" in not a good move, on Fox News Sunday is. She really needs to be on a panel with Peggy Noonan and hand her her head.
Also she needs a good ghostwriter to start putting out thoughtful, well informed essays under her name about once a month. Dean Barnett would have been perfect.
Posted by: Mendincope | November 10, 2008 at 08:28 PM
Just John: Brilliant idea. I like it.
She should finish out her term as Governor and then get ready for 2012. Forget the Senate. That has never been considered a steppingstone to the Presidency, until very recently. Being a Governor is much more relevant experience. (And don't even get me started on the 17th Amendment.)
Palin/Jindal 2012! I could live with Jindal/Palin, but Palin/Jindal is definitely my first choice. Romney might make a good Secretary of the Treasury.
Posted by: rickl | November 10, 2008 at 08:41 PM
She obviously has a taste for the finer things in life
Was there a story during the campaign about high-end hunting rifles, or are you hinting about something else? All I can think of is the wardrobe purchased on short notice for 2.8% of the cost of Obama's homage to Spinal Tap's Stonehenge. I know things are tough in San Diego post-bubble, but does Diet Dr Pepper count as one of the finer things in life these days?
Posted by: bgates | November 10, 2008 at 08:49 PM
"Why on earth would you want to be VP when you could be a..."
Ahem, if she didn't agree to be VP, she would remain unknown. So the premise is flawed from the start...
Now, what she does with her sudden popularity is entirely up to her, of course. If she decides to leverage it into better lifestyle than POTUS, well, it was long noted that smartest people don't run for Presidency (by Viscount Bryce, I believe).
Posted by: Candide | November 10, 2008 at 08:56 PM