I hope former Alaska governor Sarah Palin does run for President. First of all, I think she'd get clobbered.

Secondly, if this country is crazy enough to elect her, then we'll deserve whatever punishment, er, I mean policies, she dishes out during her four short years in office. Why four? She probably wouldn't get a second term.

In fact, many people believe that she'd likely overtake George W. Bush for title of worst president ever.

But in reality, I think Palin, in announcing plans to visit Iowa, usually the domain of presidential hopefuls, has learned how to work the media money machine and is just trying to make as much money as possible before her star falls.

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Palin is to be the speaker for the Iowa GOP's Sept. 17 Ronald Regan fundraiser dinner. It's usually a chance for presidential hopefuls to reach people in the first state to hold a nominating contest.

"The Iowa GOP is pleased that Governor Palin is traveling to Iowa to join the battle to return principled, conservative leadership to Iowa," said Matt Strawn, the Iowa Republican chairman. "I know Iowa Republicans will be energized and motivated by Governor Palin to stand up and fight for these principles all the way to Election Day and beyond."

Paiin came in fourth in a recent Iowa poll of potential GOP candidates, landing behind front runner Mike Hukabee and even Newt Gingrich. So, if she were to run, Palin would have her work cut out for her. Those who speculate that she's running say the dinner is a way for her to show that she's serious about putting in the work.

However, there is another camp that points out that Palin has a new book coming out in November. Even Palin's family is benefiting from her fame. Daughter Bristol is to be on Dancing With the Stars. How long before her husband gets a hunting reality show?

Washington Post opinion writer Jonathan Capehart says that Palin is "a raw talent who refuses to do the necessary hard work that would catapult her to heights unknown. She also seems content being a latter-day mean girl who attacks President Obama, Democrats and other opponents with sarcasm, snark and smirks."

That's a lot easier than being the President of the United States. Palin was intellectually exposed so often during the 2008 campaign that she became a liability for John McCain. Just compare Palin's performance to Hillary Clinton's.

And, as George W. can tell you, being president is not all fun and games. You'll make major decisions that affect the lives of millions of Americans and maybe even the entire planet. Your rhetoric will be challenged and you'll actually have a record that can be tracked and dissected. Palin couldn't even take the pressure of running Alaska.

Why would she want to give up her money-making machine for all that stress?