Republican Vet Speaks

Robin Abcarian reports:

Palin has been adept at raising small sums — in the first half of the year she raised nearly $1.7 million, spent close to $1.6 million and had $1.4 million on hand. But one veteran Republican strategist familiar with her operation guffawed at her fundraising skills.

"She is not capable of raising anywhere near the amount of money necessary for a serious presidential campaign," said the strategist, who like several others interviewed spoke on condition of anonymity to avoid damaging professional relationships. "Maybe a couple million. Not $50 million."

This strategist said Palin is "fundamentally a media candidate" whose product is not policy, but books, reality television and her million-dollar contract with Fox News. Keeping herself in the limelight, he said, is the key to "renewing that fan base and monetizing that stuff in the future."

So. Nah gunna happen, even if she throws her hat in the ring.

Also, Abcarian on Palin & the C4P faithful.