Sarah Palin gained international recognition upon her selection by John McCain as the 2008
Republican vice presidential nominee.  In the past year Palin has become immensely popular among a
large portion of the GOP base.  Her new book, 'Going Rogue: An American Life', sold more than 1
million copies in the first two weeks and has topped the New York Times best-seller list since late
November 2009.

In February 2010, Palin said she would run in 2012 "if I believed that that is the right thing to
do for our country and for the Palin family."  Palin has also gone on the attack saying that
potential 2012 contender Mike Huckabee made a "horrible decision" nine years ago when granting
clemency to the man suspected in the killing of four police officers in Washington State on November
29th, 2009.  She is also weighing in on nearly all Obama initiatives and voicing her opposition at
every opportunity.

While Palin possesses huge star power among Republican conservatives, a recent ABC News/Washington
Post poll shows that six in 10 Americans view her as unqualified for the job of President in 2012. 
This is a sharp drop from Palin?s 6 in 10 approval rate peak in November 2008 but has remained
basically unchanged in the past year.  Additionally, her July 4th, 2009 'resignation without
explanation' as governor of Alaska before completing her first term and her stumbles on policy
matters, especially foreign relations, have led to numerous attacks.

Nonetheless, Sarah Palin is a force that the Republican Party must reckon with.  She has
effectively used social media and has tapped into the Republican base.  Unlike her male
counterparts, she faces stereotypical assumptions that she's not tough enough and dismissive
attitudes about her qualifications and intellect. She is however going to be the rallying point for
conservative Republicans in the 2012 elections.  

Following the major roles of Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton in the 2008 race, the election of our
first female president does not seem too far off.

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