You have to hand it to the Republicans, they are already getting their sacrificial lambs in line for 2012.
However, I doubt that they will go for Palin. I see them getting pumped for congressional elections in 2 years (trying to blame a slow recovery on Obama and the Democrats) and priming some other young, "dynamic" Republican (Governor of Louisiana? Some Hispanic Candidate?) to run in 2012, especially if they see themselves possibly having a chance in 2012 (i.e., economy does not significantly turn around by the Presidential election season).