Sarah Perot/Ross Palin?

The conservative David Brooks of the NYT wrote a very interesting opinion piece this week The Perot Option. The gist being that supporters of Sarah Palin/Tea Bagger are a force to be reckoned with. Many of these folks feel like they are not being listened to (if you were one of the 10 million unemployed, you might) and they think the country is going downhill fast (increased national debt, etc.) Brooks suggests that someone could appear from the sidelines to lead these voters and make significant inroads into national politics. He warns that disenchantment and fear don't usually lead to well-considered choices of leaders. Ross Perot with his millions was able to buy his way unto the national stage by tapping the issues not addressed by either Republicans or Democrats. Brooks warns that this could happen again. Being conservative, Brooks argues that Obama as part of the establishment is better suited to make the needed significant changes. If Obama doesn't make these changes (Brooks means going more centrist), the sideline figure just might come out swinging wildly and who knows what might happen. Brooks does not mention Palin in his piece but I think Palin or someone else not part of the current establishment has got to be eyeing the chance to go rogue.