It's like a political version of "Survivor". All we've been hearing is who's been "voted off the island", so to speak. Pawlenty tells a reporter it's not him. Fox reports that Romney's nowhere near Ohio and not going there. So the former top two picks are out.

But now we hear that Alaska Governor Sarah Palin flew from Alaska overnight with two of her boys. Could it be Palin? Sure. She's a solid, pro-life, pro-family conservative. Picking her avoids ticking off Romney people by picking Huckabee...avoids ticking off Huckabee people by picking Romney, etc... But she is a first term governor. But then again, she IS a governor. And would be the only person on the ticket with chief executive experience.

And then there's the obvious. She's a "she". Which is aimed straight at the women out there who really wanted to see a woman on somebody's ticket...and are put out with Obama for not taking Billary. Which means Barry will spend the next few days being asked if he regrets not putting her on the ticket now.

And it would have the virtue of countering Obama's "first" (as in first black nominee), with the potential of the first female vice-president.

It would also be fun to watch Joe Biden try and attack a woman in a debate.

Personally, I still would have gone with Mitt. I think he brings more to the economic debate because of his experience. But Palin would be a solid (and strategic) choice.

More to come.

UPDATE:

Palin gave a great speech I thought. Really made a good impression (which is crucial right now, since she has such a low national profile). And did a good job showing herself to be a real conservative and a real reformer.

This does put the Dems in a bit of a box now. How do you attack her? Surely not for inexperience, as it just highlights Obama's own inexperience.