Sarah Palin gained international recognition upon her selection
by John McCain as the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee. 
In the past year Palin has become immensely popular among a large
portion of the GOP base.  Her new book, 'Going Rogue: An American
Life', sold more than 1 million copies in the first two weeks and
has topped the New York Times best-seller list since late
November 2009.

In February 2010, Palin said she would run in 2012 "if I
believed that that is the right thing to do for our country and
for the Palin family."  Palin has also gone on the attack saying
that potential 2012 contender Mike Huckabee made a "horrible
decision" nine years ago when granting clemency to the man
suspected in the killing of four police officers in Washington
State on November 29th, 2009.  She is also weighing in on nearly
all Obama initiatives and voicing her opposition at every
opportunity.

While Palin possesses huge star power among Republican
conservatives, a recent ABC News/Washington Post poll shows that
six in 10 Americans view her as unqualified for the job of
President in 2012.  This is a sharp drop from Palin?s 6 in 10
approval rate peak in November 2008 but has remained basically
unchanged in the past year.  Additionally, her July 4th, 2009
'resignation without explanation' as governor of Alaska before
completing her first term and her stumbles on policy matters,
especially foreign relations, have led to numerous attacks.

Nonetheless, Sarah Palin is a force that the Republican Party
must reckon with.  She has effectively used social media and has
tapped into the Republican base.  Unlike her male counterparts,
she faces stereotypical assumptions that she's not tough enough
and dismissive attitudes about her qualifications and intellect.
She is however going to be the rallying point for conservative
Republicans in the 2012 elections.  

Following the major roles of Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton in
the 2008 race, the election of our first female president does
not seem too far off.
		

Judging from history, Barack Obama will most certainly win the
nomination of his Democratic Party in 2012.  Alas, both Democrats
and Republicans alike have always supported their man in the
presidency.  Being voted in for a second term however is not
necessarily a given, as seen more recently with the losing
second-term candidacies of George Bush sr. in 1992 and Jimmy
Carter in 1980.

Although Barack Obama still leads all comers in the polls his
numbers have slipped dramatically, mostly due to huge government
spending.  Obama now has a  Presidential Approval Index rating of
-18 and is among one of the lowest supported presidents following
an initial year in the office.  Many believe that the unpopular
decisions which Obama is now making are difficult and necessary
steps leading to a more prosperous and peaceful America in the
years ahead.

We expect to see Democrats take on Obama and announce their
candidacy for the 2012 nomination; fewer if Obama's popularity
rises and more should his popularity fall.  The odds against
these candidates are great as it would be very difficult for
either political party not to support their man in office. 
Persons entering the 2012 race on the Democratic side would be
looking more to gain experience and recognition than the
nomination of the party.  Democratic veteran hopefuls such as
Hillary Clinton are setting their sights for the 2016 election.

Ultimately the prospect of a second Obama term depends on his
accomplishments over the next two and a half years and the
perspective of those accomplishments in the eyes of the American
people.  The economy, healthcare and other issues of the day are
among the hundreds of national and international issues upon
which Barack Obama will be judged in 2012.