I think Clinton (Hillary) opened the door thus making a "Palin" seem plausible (yea even Palin). However, by the next election I think there will be other serious female contenders in the running. It won't be just a Hillary and a Sarah. Palin came out of nowhere, and I think females from both parties are gonna pop up and give both these ladies a lot of compeition, that neither will have it in the bag. I think the nation IS ready for both it's first Afrian American AND first female President...and it's about time in both cases.
TIS