For the first time over the last two years Sarah Palin is beginning to signal that she is not going to run for president in 2012. In an interview with Greta Van Sustren last night Palin was once more asked whether she was any closer to declaring herself as a candidate in 2012. Palin remained relatively vague, but did say that "You don't need an office to make a difference. I'm proof of that." In 2009 Palin justified her mid-term resignation as Governor of Alaska by saying she could more effectively work for the conservative cause outside of the constraints of a political office. She now seems to be making the same claim about a potential presidential run by essentially saying she could do just as effective, or possibly better work outside of the presidency.
Needless to say liberals are skeptical of the claims made by Palin about making a difference outside of a political office. Palin certainly does have a voice in the political arena, but the presidency remains by far the most powerful political position in America. Palin can talk about what she would do in Libya as she did last night. President Obama can physically order Tomahawk missiles launched into Libya as he did last weekend. Palin can release a video post on Facebook in which she claims she is a victim of "blood libel," but President Obama can address the nation on every major channel during the "prime time" hours. Palin can talk about what laws she would oppose, but President Obama can literally stop a bill from becoming law with his veto power.
The common wisdom of politician pundits is that Palin and other conservatives are trying to find a way for her to not run without it making it seem like her power has diminished over the last two years. Palin's argument repeats that of other conservative commentators. like Ann Coulter and Andrew Breitbart, both of whom have attempted to provide an "escape route" for Palin by arguing the presidency would be a step down from Palin. Liberals claim that Palin is choosing not to run because of her poor poll numbers. Most polls show Palin trailing Obama by about 20 points in a potential matchup in 2012. One particularly damning poll showed that Democrats and independent voters actually preferred Charlie Sheen for president over Palin.
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