The only time the pre-primary season held my interest is when Herman Cain was gaining traction with his 999 plan. Was it perfect? No, of course not, but it was resonating.
If I allowed myself to believe in conspiracy theories, I would say the PTB borked Cain because he actually had a plan and it was a direct threat to the military-industrial-congressional complex.
If Palin did get in, and somehow manage to stay on message, that would revive my interest. And possibly the career of that hateful shrew from SNL.