That is, if you think she’s going to be a presidential contender in 2012. MSNBC’s First Read newsletter assesses of Palin’s current position in the political firmament—and the picture doesn’t bode well for those who’d like one day to call her Madam President:
The Palin question: After giving at least four high-profile speeches in the last couple of weeks — for John McCain’s re-election, in Searchlight, NV, at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference, and yesterday in Boston — we once again raise this question about Sarah Palin: Is she more influential with the media than she is with Republicans? For example, she placed third at the SRLC straw poll (a disappointing finish when you consider that the winner, Mitt Romney, didn’t show up and that Ron Paul was second). In addition, a New York Times/CBS poll finds that a plurality of self-identified Tea Party members don’t think she’s qualified to be president. And now Kentucky Senate candidate Trey Grayson (R) says Palin isn’t qualified for the White House. No doubt that she’s a political celebrity, but that isn’t necessarily translating into GOP support. There is growing evidence that she is not the political force some would like to believe (indeed, if she were actually pondering a big for 2012, this last month would be seen as a disappointment). By the way, NBC’s Andrea Mitchell reported on “TODAY” this morning that California AG Jerry Brown, who is running for governor, is investigating Palin’s paid speech at Cal State Stanislaus about whether the school’s foundation properly followed 501 3c rules.
She’s everywhere, she’s ever-controversial, she’s great copy, she’s Queen of Political Buzz. But none of that makes her presidential material—or even presidential candidate material. Is she going to run? My hunch is that she has already decided. But she sure ain’t gonna tell the rest of us, you betcha. There’s still too much money to be made and attention to be won as a possible presidential wanna-be.
