Do you doubt that Palin will be the nominee?

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Its hard to see her getting the nomination. From a geographic standpoint. Barring a change, Iowa is first, and NH is still second, correct? Well with Iowa you have a state that loves retail politics. Palin loves speeches but isn't a good handshaker/blackslapper candidate. We have seen in the past a candidate who had grown up in Iowa lose because he failed to show up and actually work the state, Ronald Reagan. He came back by winning New Hamphire, which I don't see Palin doing. 2008 firmly established the need to win one of those two to win the nomination. Newt Gingrich has had a presence in Iowa since 2005. Romney has a decent chunk of the vote. Pawlenty is right next door and then you got Haley Barbour or John Thune. Another thing to remember is that the Tea Party is not owned by Sarah Palin and both Iowa and New Hampshire have opted for non-Tea Partyesque nominees for Governor and Senate.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I skimmed the OP, and haven't read the following comments, so excuse me if I'm a bit repetitive.

"If you think Romney can beat Palin, then you haven't been paying attention" is pretty much a direct quote.

But you're so wrong.

What Romney has done is so smart it's incredible. He's kept his profile so low that the media can't attack or mock him, but he has made a few appearances on cable news to keep his profile up at the same time.

Seriously, this is the smartest move ever. Palin, with her stupid comments and her constant public appearance only invites people to mock her, and thus discredit her. Compare this to Romney who has been able to remain relevant, but has kept himself out of the spotlight as to not undermine his inevitable campaign.

I hate when people call politicians stupid, because they clearly are not. Just because Bush stumbled over words make people assume he's dumb (ok you can disagree with his policies, but to say he's stupid because he said 'misunderestimate' and the like is so ignorant on your part - just look how The Great Communicator Through Teleprompters is doing!). But she most certainly doesn't help herself.

2008 was always an Obama win. No matter how McCain campaigned, no matter his running mate, the election was a vote against Bush and NOT a vote for liberal policies. With that said, it would have been much closer if it wasn't for Palin. So many people, my parents (and especially dad - who's a conservative) voted for Obama for the sole reason of Palin being so close to the presidency.

Palin has a cult following, comparable to Ron Paul. Just because she's constantly in the media spotlight doesn't make her popular or the "people's princess", if you will. In fact, the constant attention will just hurt her.

Romney has the nomination wrapped up already, it's not even funny.

No, he doesn't. If Thune or Pence or Barbour wins IA, then SC, they have the nominatio locked up.

Also 2008 was not a guarrenteed Obama win. Obama threw a large lead from June to August and he really didn't regain a steady lead till after Lehman bros collapsed.

You are right that it wasn't Palin that decided the eleciton, but wrong that it was an Obama win from the start.