The prodigal governor may yet return

No, not Mitt Romney. He's well and truly over. But we may be seeing more of Ms. Palin (if not Tina Fey's impression) soon.

The count goes on (and on and on) in Alaska and Ted Stevens still has a razor thin lead over his challenger. Despite his seven felony convictions, the Alaskan people seem determined to return him to the Senate. But even if he wins the race, it's unlikely he'll remain a senator. Both McCain and Palin have called for him to step down, and Republican as well as Democratic senators have threatened to expel him.

An open seat in Alaska cannot be filled by appointment, so Palin can't just pull a Cheney and take the position for herself. The seat would be filled by a special election, and Palin has the name recognition to pull it off.

The votes are still coming in, and Stevens may lose his lead when all the absentee ballots are counted, so it would behoove Ms. Palin to wait until the election is called before she places orders for "Senator Maverick in 2012" posters.