Love her or hate her, Sarah Palin is the most fascinating figure to emerge from this year’s election — aside from, of course, the president-elect. Two months ago, I doubt if 5 percent of Americans had heard of the governor of Alaska. But for the past eight weeks, she’s been possibly the most talked-about person in the country. 

Her term as governor ends in two years. Strictly from a marketing standpoint, I think she’d be making a mistake by staying in politics. I think she should move into the punditry/entertainment nexus. Here’s my reasoning.

• She’s got ready-made name recognition.
• She’s got a large core of devoted followers.
• She’s bold, blunt, energetic and fearless in making her points.
• She’d be one of a relatively few women in that arena.
• There have been few new stars to arise in the conservative punditry firmament in recent years. Limbaugh, Hannity, O’Reilly, Buchanan: they’ve all been around for a while. There’s an opening for a new voice from the right.
• Her career longevity would be greater.
• Someone is certain to offer her a ton of money.

You could argue that she’s not the brightest bulb on the tree. I’d reply that she’s plenty smart enough to go on TV or radio and give her unscripted views. All she has to do is unleash her id, and I don’t doubt that she’s quite capable of that.

Those are my thoughts. Yours?