I think BF is on target - too early to tell yet.
But the most likely scenario is that USA keep on recovering economically slightly.
Not greatly, but slightly.
And most likely, it looks like foreign affairs is settling down so that won't take too much energy.
Again, this is the most likely scenario. Not saying that this is what will actually happen.
So then, if Obama is put up against Palin, then Obama will win.
IMO, GOP could probably produce a better choice to actually compete with Obama for the middle swing voters. But the alternative was Palin.
And then I gotta go with Obama.
But if the economy sours up even more - then all bets are off.
If the presidential election will be about Obama failing in helping USA recover economically, then Palin can win. But that of course depends on that economic scenario. Unemployment has to stay high, poverty et al.
Funny thing though - I saw that Obama got high marks in Gallup poll on his foreign policy.
So if foreign policy becomes an issue in the president debate, then Palin will have a very tough time with Obama.
Although I think she handled herself in the VP debate very well against a seasoned veteran like VP Joe "Fuck" Biden.