So, if there is a special election in Alaska, will Sarah Palin run?

[book_worm]

If Stevens pulls thru in Alaska but is expelled from the Senate there would be a special election. I would think that the Dem candidate who is coming so close to Stevens would run in that (I still think that it's being stolen from him in some way), and Palin might run as a republican, but I think she would be challenged. I would actually love it if she did run. I don't think she would automatically win. Part of the GOP up in Alaska doesn't like her. She was just elected Governor in 2006 and people might think she should concentrate on that job. And now there has been a lot of stuff coming out about her in this campaign for VP--the $150,000 plus shopping spree, etc. If she ran for the Senate and lost it would definitely hurt her chances for 2012, of course if she won she would definitely then run for president in 2012. In some ways it's a win-win for democrats.

[Bucky]

1. Why do people keep asking this? Isn't it obvious she won't?

Her one claim to fame is that she's been the governor for 22 months. It would be lunacy for her to give that up. Being in the Senate would expose her to close media scrutiny, which certainly her advisors know she can't handle. Plus losing the seat in a special election would end her career--a risk she simply doesn't need to take.

No, she'll stay in Alaska and keep her options open.

[Blue_In_AK]

3. That seems more likely to me, too, Bucky.

I had always figured that she would run against Lisa Murkowski in the 2010 primary for her senate seat, and probably would have won if her popularity here had remained high, but then this whole VP thing came up, which has NOT been good for her here. She may have ruined her chances for anything now, unless she does some serious groveling -- time will tell.

[Blue_In_AK]

2. At this point, your guess is as good as mine.

I'll be monitoring this really closely though and keeping DU advised. Sarah just got back in town last night (see my post here http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=4398649&mesg_id=4398649) warmly welcomed by the rabid Palinistas, but you are correct that she has serious issues in her own party, and after her pathetic performance on the national stage, her political stock has probably dropped considerably among the "thinking" Republicans (if such creatures exist).

[HughMoran]

4. I can't wait for the day I do ctrl-F & type Palin & no results show up

I so hate that moron.