Palin is not part of any club

She's independent--and she calls 'em as she sees 'em. I like that.

Who knows whether Carly Fiorina will win the Republican primary and go on to beat Barbara Boxer, but Palin obviously has an affinity for her story and private sector experience.

As far as the initial Wall St. bailout I tend to come down on the side that we needed to do it at the time, though there was absolutely no need for the auto bailout or any further ones.

The Sotomayor nomination was going to happen. Cap and tax was and is a bad idea. Some issues ebb and flow in importance, some policies get worse as they get closer to law, some better.

I would say Palin's a conservative first, but has no patience with a divisive and ultimately unsuccessful third way. (Just look at the British election.)

As far as the Tea Party endorsing one candidate or another, just look at the Illinois GOP gubernatorial primary--there were arguably three conservative candidates running but one "official" tea party endorsed one candidate and called the other two RINOs. (There were also some real RINOs running, it was a big field.)

The movement has its growing pains. As Melissa Clouthier puts it, no one can say Palin is a purist. That's all to the good, because purists can be dictatorial. I think Palin had it right when she said she didn't represent the tea party--whose members represent themselves. (I consider myself a member--others may not:)

I don't pretend to have any insight into California politics--but of course Palin believes Fiorina can win and go on to beat Boxer--otherwise why put her political capital at risk--why endorse her? And Palin's endorsement will help, because she will campaign and fundraise on Fiorina's behalf.

Sarah Palin is not part of any club. She's always made her own way, she makes her own case, and for that I respect her all the more.

P.S. Her choice might not always be my choice, but I would take a second look.

---Thanks for the link, Doug Ross.