And if you think Sarah will present herself as a wacko religious airhead, think again.   Even a Mudcatter--and one not on the Right--has said that listening to her on one program, she sounded sensible.   She will be well coached to do that--and by then she will have learned that after winning your party's nomination, you play toward the center.

As one poster has noted, our best chance is that the "Tea Party" splits off from the Republicans.   History of third parties does not support this.   Unless the "Tea Party" supporters are so turned by intra-party squabbles--before the primaries-- that they refuse to support Republicans, the "Tea Party", like so many others, will be co-opted.   In fact if Sarah is the nominee, the Tea Party won't have to make many compromises.

Also, don't forget that it's independents who really hold the whip hand. And they of course are not tied to any party.   If they are impressed with Sarah--for whatever reason, regardless of whether we think it's drivel--the Democrats have problems.

And if the economy is still in the doldrums in 2011-2012, it's painfully obvious what the main Republican mantra will be:   "Change".    Sound familiar?