2012: Sarah Palin the Republican nominee

[darklordoftech]

?

[NewYorkExpress]

Despite being a complete idiot, Palin's ability to tap into the Republican base was almost unmatched at the time. She would have brought out Republican voters in record numbers for her. The question is, would that be enough to beat Obama?

The map as I see it:

POTUS Barack Obama(D-IL)/VPOTUS Joe Biden (D-DE) 50%
Former Governor Sarah Palin (R-AK)/Governor Scott Walker (R-WI) 49%

[Sir Mohamed]

Obama mops the floor with Palin.



✓ President Barack Obama (D-IL)/Vice President Joe Biden (D-DE): 348 EVs.; 52.3%
Former Governor Sarah Palin (R-AK)/Former Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA): 190 EVs.; 46.1%

[Del Tachi]

I agree Obama flips NC, everything else is the same

[Fuzzy Bear]

Obama mops the floor with Palin.



✓ President Barack Obama (D-IL)/Vice President Joe Biden (D-DE): 348 EVs.; 52.3%
Former Governor Sarah Palin (R-AK)/Former Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA): 190 EVs.; 46.1%

This might have been the map.  Regardless of what people thought of Palin on a personal level, lots of people didn't think she was up to the job (and she wasn't).

Had Palin not resigned as Governor, she could have challenged Lisa Murkowski in the primary, won, and precluded a write-in.