No matter how you feel personally about the recent Vice Presidential nominee, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, you most likely will agree that she is both personally interesting and politically formidable.

Seemingly from out of nowhere, Sarah Palin rose from the relative obscurity of one of our least well-known states to virtually dominate the conversation of the recent presidential campaign of . Politically shaped far from the smoke-filled rooms and ante-chambers of our nation's capital, Palin combines fierce determination with bed-rock conservative ideals - a combination that liberal foes have found lethal in past battles for political office.

Although Sarah Palin emerged from the presidential campaign on the losing side, she left an indelible mark on the American political landscape, one which may well last for years to come. Her overt confidence, passionate defense of conservative values, and consummate speaking ability combine to give Palin a position at the forefront of her party's - and her country's - leadership. After all, there exists great power in being able to set the tone and the scope of political dialogue, and Palin is in the enviable position of being able to do just that.

The new power Sarah Palin enjoys, however, is tenuous at best. Getting it is one thing, holding it something else altogether. What happens next is - to a large degree - up to Palin herself. As the Governor of Alaska, she was able to use her bully pulpit to promote her ideas and thoughts, as long as she maintained the perception that she was not just promoting herself for president in 2012. Now that she is simply private citizen Palin, will she be able to maintain the momentum she built during the campaign?

Does she even want to?