Can Sarah Palin Save Her Career?

I'm not asking the question. I saw it at Hot Air the other day, "Fox News question of the day: Can Palin save her political career?" Allahpundit's got a readers' poll at the link, and 7 out of 10 say she's fine. Not representative, of course, but it's good to know rightroots folks still love her, because she's getting a closer look from the punditocracy. Here comes Paul Bedard, for example, with this juicy passage (via Memeorandum):

Worse than Dan Quayle before her, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's bright star has fast faded in the eyes of Washington Republican officials and analysts, calling into question her efforts to become a national party figure ready to run for the White House. "She's just not ready for prime time," said a party strategist who has worked for former President Bush. "I mean, she's starting to look like she's having trouble being governor of Alaska." At issue is her weak debut, hampered by the mishandling of her by Sen. John McCain's campaign, and subsequent family issues such as the most recent tiff with Levi Johnston, the father of her first grandchild and ex-fiancé of her daughter Bristol.

It's a little early to write off Governor Palin. Her first week in the national spotlight was enough to wilt even seasoned political candidates. And when Palin has troubles, the conservative grassroots rallies to her side. She'll be out there in force for the 2012 GOP primaries, without a doubt. We've got a long way to go, and she'll be going up against folks like Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney, and perhaps Newt Gingrich. They've all been under the spotlight, and some of the controversies surrounding these three are more damaging than anything Palin's likely to face going forward. We'll be seeing moves by Bobby Jindal and Tim Pawlenty, as well - who knows who else? We're in the pre- pre-primary phase of Republican nomination politics, and anything can happen (just ask Howard Dean).

The key to watch is Palin's gubernatorial reelection bid in 2010 (the Juneau Empire notes that Palin has yet to announce her intentions on reelection). Her policies and scandals will be aired statewide, and then nationally on top of that. If she returns to the Alaska statehouse she'll have the wind at her back for her llikely 2012 presidential run, and she can continue to build long-term experience for her presidential resume. She's young and likely to be a force in Republican presidential politics for the next decade, at least.

Keep abreast of Palin's political life at Conservatives for Sarah Palin.