Unplugged: What's Next for Sarah Palin?

Host John Dickerson spoke to The Washington Post's Dan Balz and CBS News' Scott Conroy about Palin's resignation speech, as well as her next move. According to Conroy, who is co-writing a book about Palin, it is clear that the former GOP vice presidential nominee is "at least going to test the waters" for a presidential run in 2012.

Palin "was having a very, very difficult time coming back to the state and getting back to the business of governing," Conroy said in discussing her decision to step down. He predicted that she will spend the next several months making appearances around the county, and said "it's very clear that she likes being on the road, she loves the attention of these adoring crowds."

Balz said that the Palin associates he has talked to are under the impression that the former governor stepped down without a clear long- or short-term plan for what to do next. On the question of a presidential run, the Post reporter and co-author of the forthcoming "The Battle for America 2008" said he was surprised at "the degree to which even... Republican strategist types...are saying she probably would have a great deal of difficulty getting elected president of the United States," even if she has a good shot at the GOP nomination.

"It's unusual to hear that kind of skepticism expressed about a person who is that popular within the Republican Party at this point," he said.

Balz said Palin is viewed by Democrats as a powerful figure within the Republican Party but not a significant national force, in part because of self-inflicted wounds from the 2008 campaign. Asked if she could be a kingmaker for a Republican if she stays out of the race, Balz said, "you don't want Sarah Palin to be against you if she's out there," though he cautioned much depends on what she does next.

Conroy noted that in her resignation speech, meant to be a handover of power, Palin only mentioned her successor twice, opting instead to use much of the time "as a partisan opportunity to lash out at her critics, to lash out at the media." He questioned the wisdom of Palin's repeted attacks on the media, since one of her strengths is her "ability to connect with people on a personal level."

"If she wanted to reach out [to the media] a little bit more, she could really make some friends," he suggested.

Watch the entire episode above.