'She Still Has Plenty of Time'

"Listen: she still has plenty of time. After all, former two-term President Bill Clinton didn't announce his first bid for the White House until October 1991. Former President Ronald Reagan didn't announce his first winning presidential campaign until November 1979.

While deadlines for declaration have not yet been set by all of the individual states, they have been for some of the first contests. For example: in New Hampshire, the first Republican primary, Palin would need to declare her candidacy there by mid-October. Take New Hampshire out of the equation and Palin could theoretically wait even longer. In fact, she doesn't even have to be an official candidate to partake in the Iowa caucuses.

So far as the Federal Elections Commission is concerned, former Gov. Palin doesn't have to declare she's in the hunt until she raises $5,000 toward a run."

AMANDA COYNE in Alaska Dispatch

FROM: 'Palin Watch: Sarah Palin's right to choose', September 08, 2011.