Yes, take her seriously. As a whole lot of people did not take Reagan or GWB seriously. And lived to regret it.

As I've noted earlier, her chosen trajectory is that of Reagan.    And we'd best hope--and try to ensure as best we can in our small ways--that the run-up to to 2012 does not resemble that to 1980.

And I've already noted one of the obvious ways that Mudcatters and others left of center can try to defuse Sarah. Not that people left of center are likely to take this advice.

The other way I've also noted--question is whether it's too late now. Those who pushed hard for the public option should have realized their best chance was Olympia Snowe's "trigger".   Among other things that would have brought her on board the health care reform process--at a time she was being called a "traitor" to her party by zealots within it. Who knows, maybe she would have switched parties if given a better reception to her "trigger" suggestion.

Now the best chance is pushing your Representatives to pass the Senate bill as is--and with every day that becomes less and less likely.

And it becomes more and more likely that this Congress will in fact be tagged as a "do-nothing Congress."   With predictable results in the fall.

As David Plouffe has pointed out, the Republicans will hang Democrats for the health care reform plan--whether or not the Democrats now pass it. So:   "...hanged for a sheep as for a lamb".

It seems clear that some conservative Democrats will not accept the"nuclear option". It's the liberals--including the unions--who have to accept the Senate bill as is.   And so far, there's no indication they will. Partly since they have not heard from constituents--like
American Mudcatters-- that they should.

And, what's more, they have to pass the health care bill soon--so that Congress can get back to a direct assault on the economic slump, while having something they can claim as an accomplishment.   After all, does anybody think that the Congress elected this fall will be any more amenable to progressives' wishes?    If so, I have a bridge to sell them.