Sarah Palin's decision to not seek the GOP nomination mainly benefits her own bank account: she will reap the benefits of her Fox News contract and various speaking engagements without running the risk of being battered by a grueling contest and, more likely, suffering a humiliating loss. (Pssst: Americans aren't that interested in voting for her, however morbidly interested they are in her life.)
Her choice does create other winners and losers. Here's a shortlist:
Winners:
• As pointed out by Jon Henke on Twitter (@JonHenke), John McCain escapes a really uncomfortable endorsement situation.
• Mitt Romney escapes more dive-bombing from the right.
• Herman (or, as Palin prefers, "Herb") Cain gets to stay the flavor of the month for maybe a whole week.
• Michele Bachmann may retain the followers who confused her with Palin in the first place.
• The American people.
Losers:
• Late-night television joke writers.
• Tina Fey.
• The Liberal Media, who would have had a ball jumping on every Russia sighting and omnivorous reading boast.
• Wolves, caribou and other mammals she enjoys shooting at.
