First, I think Palin is perfect in the role she currently occupies, as the "American minority whip" if you will. In this role, which is OUTSIDE politics, she's free to say exactly what's on her mind, and exactly what conservatives want and need to hear to buoy them up in these troubling times. In effect, she's a female version of Limbaugh, but one that isn't full of herself or trapped being a media mouthpiece. She has assumed an almost Ron Paul-esque "calling out in the wilderness" role, except that far more people listen to Palin than do to Paul.
All that being said, if she runs for president, her ability to speak freely will vanish. She'll have to play the same game all the other politician scum plays, which IMO would permanently destroy her credibility with the public, as they branded her a "sellout." Further, she is essentially unelectable. What makes me say that? Because the liberal scum all over the country would have their collective head explode. They would do ANYTHING IT TAKES to destroy her. And that includes assassination. Palin running for prez as a viable candidate would plunge the country into civil war IMO. IF you thought this last election was dirty and vile, it pales into a Sunday picnic in the park compared to what would happen should Palin run.
And were she to be elected, politicians on both sides would stonewall her to the point of total ineffectiveness. You see, Palin speaks to the common person AS a common person. Humble. Truthful. Straight from the heart. And that enrages TPTB as well as liberals. Could you even envision a poster where Palin has her chin raised, looking haughtily up toward the sky? Palin as president would look out for the common person, the person with true family values. And they'd kill her before they allowed that.