The next presidential election is 21 months away and there’s only mere speculation as to who will be running for the office of our nation’s chief executive. If we look back to around this time during the last race for office there is one particular difference – the contenders were more vocal and at least we had the slightest intimation as to who was swimming in the pool of potential candidates.

There is one person, though, who has been passively campaigning since being plucked from obscurity in “The ‘Silla” and thrust into the political atmosphere. While others (mainly Mitt Romney & Rudy Giuliani to name names) have taken the time since the ’08 election to quietly rebuild, Sarah Palin has made it a point to keep her name, and particularly her brand, in the forefront of all American’s minds.

Whatever your opinion of the gun-toting hockey mom from a small Alaska town, we would all be remiss to not acknowledge her ability to remain culturally and politically relevant since her running-mate lost the presidency. From her books, to FOX News corresponding, reality show, online presence, and countless appearances, (Dancing with the Stars, anyone?!) Ms. Palin has undoubtedly built her platform brick by brick since 2008. She has worked hard to make herself a political juggernaut and overall well-known name.

Why is it, though, that she has yet to make her run for office official? She has been running for office of public opinion for so long that it’s only a matter of time before anything formal is announced.

The most important component of any candidate’s run for office is name recognition, so congrats Ms. Palin, you’re certainly ahead of the bunch.