SOME THOUGHTS ON ALL THE INSTA-POLLS: So among InstaPundit readers, Sarah Palin leads substantially, pretty much no matter how you slice it. Mike Huckabee, meanwhile, is doing terribly. (How terribly? Worse than Bob Corker.) That probably says more about Insta-readers’ preferences than the electorate generally, of course — but then, any 2012 poll is unrepresentative right now, because very few ordinary voters are thinking about the subject. In presenting the polls in different ways, I wasn’t — as one commenter suggested — trying to “hold Sarah’s head under the water,” but to see how different stuff played.

Is Palin viable in 2012? Conventional wisdom says no — but then, in 2006 conventional wisdom said Hillary had it locked up. Heck, in 2007 the CW was still expecting a Clinton/Giuliani match. But the lack of enthusiasm for the other candidates at this point is palpable. Except Gary Johnson — I’m still getting emails demanding that I “put him in my poll” even though I polled him twice to minuscule response. This seems to be a Ron Paul-lite operation, generating angry email but without the ability to actually stuff the online polls. As I’ve said before guys, it’s nice that you like your candidate, but you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.

Anyway, Republicans don’t need a leader/candidate to win in 2010. But they do need one to win in 2012. A smart move, I think, would be for Republican aspirants to put their energy behind supporting GOP Congressional candidates in 2010, thus proving their mettle in advance and making the reputation, and building the base of support, they’ll need in 2012.

Polls here, here, here, and here. Note: Suggestions in the comments favoring an InstaPundit candidacy are unlikely to bear fruit. Bill Whittle, on the other hand. . . .