Is this the end of Trump as a nominee? I certainly think it makes him much much less likely to receive the moderate vote. I really think this hurts Trump more than helps.
You understand this is mainly to eek out a victory in Iowa. Palin has pull in Iowa, she endorsed a candidate back in 2012 and that person won because of it (trying to locate the name). This is less about how much it helps Trump vs what it could have meant for Cruz.
Cruz actually credited her for being elected to the Senate. http://hsrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A2KLtXD6...uLmh0bWw-/RS=^ADAOMq90e086_0bi0nN33GUOKJoG60-
yes Cruz really needed Palin to either stay out of it or endorse him not a game changer but it could very well tip the scales in Iowa for Trump to win, and if that happens Trump is well on his way to the nomination...nothing will stop him....that's how imoortant Iowa is to the other candidates.