From The Hotline for Monday, Nov. 10, 2008

Palin: The Remix

Monday, Nov. 10, 2008


Watching her public response to certain unnamed "jerks" this weekend, it was clear the re-branding of Palin is already underway. Given the GOP's vacuum of leadership and her "celebrity" appeal, she's in the running to be the public face of the loyal opposition. But before she can do that, she's gotta lot of clean up to do.

-- And that she is. Tonight it's her first sit-down interview since 11/4. Tomorrow, it's "Today". But can she go on offense w/out looking too, well, defensive? More important, if Palin is serious about '12, she needs to bulk up on policy. How about writing a substantive book about the one issue she's knows best - energy policy.

-- Her future in AK is just as tricky. Her pubic remarks on Stevens have ranged from non-committal to encouraging. Can a "maverick" support a convicted felon? Of course, dissing the will of the voters in your state is not as fun - or feasible - as beating up the "establishment." For now she says she's "not planning" on running for SEN in a special election. But if she's serious about '12, can she afford not to?

-- Finally, a word of caution to anyone who declares Palin the '12 frontrunner. Four years is a long time; Just ask Joe Lieberman and John Edwards.

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