Mondale '84, or Geraldine Ferrara '84? Same difference.

The Republican party would be insane to back her, and I don't think they will. There's a chance it will get ugly (like Obama-Hillary), but I don't think Palin is a serious enough threat/contender for it to get to that point.

I think Huckabee/Jindal would be a competitive ticket. Like you say, Huckabee is likeable enough, and Jindal has that young guy thing going on for himself. But if lower income, white Americans wouldn't vote for Barack "Hussein" Obama, will they vote for Piyush Jindal? I doubt it. Plus, the guy has all the personality of a lanced boil.