She's still got power. She's a campaign-funds-raising phenomenon.

Doubt anyone in the northeast would touch her - being tainted with her would be a death warrant here - but in the South, the "big sky" and parts of the mid-west she could have influence.

That said her power, whatever it may be, scares the fiscal conservatives and the Neo-Cons since they see her as an anchor that ties to the party to the older, white, Christian rural base.

The Democrats see her like the Republicans saw McGovern & Mondale - someone they'd love to run against.

So, right now I believe that any and all attacks are coming from factions of her own party. It'll be interesting to see how Fox plays it. They've piled on her before.

Personally I think she's leaving so that she can keep a better on eye her 14 yo daughter. If that girl gets knocked-up before she's 18, after all the stuff they spewed at Letterman, PURE COMEDY will ensue.