Appearing Sunday with Shannon Bream, Palin said she “doesn’t know yet” if the candidate among the current field exists which would deliver the proper enthusiasm to get her endorsement.  (Ian has posted the video of the segment here.)

She also reiterated what the tea party stands for with regard to the Constitution which seems to counter what many of the current candidates are doing with trying to re-define what the tea party stands for.

She further went on to say that the lack of the candidates’ action for “sudden and relentless reform” with their prior positions as elected officials either in state positions or Congress “can really be applied to every single one of the candidates.”

Even though she began the segment by pointing out the hard-lined conservative principles of Santorum and Bachmann as well as Ron Paul’s conservative spending policies, this interview seemed to resonate with most Palinstas who know what it will take to win as we move toward a general election season with Obama and a billion dollar campaign budget.

She also appears to be modest on the value of her endorsement.  This refreshingly counters many of these politicians who are rushing out to endorse Mitt Romney.  These politicians include Nikki Haley of SC, Kelly Ayotte of NH, and Chris Christie of NJ.

Sarah Palin continues to lead the pack with regard to what it is the tea party will ultimately back.  Like her, they seem to be lacking the enthusiasm to get behind anyone of these candidates who either carry considerable baggage or lack the qualities needed in a candidate able to beat Barack Obama: one with charisma and an ability to communicate effectively.

Knowing there was only one person in our minds who fit that bill, many are left forced to hold their noses while simultaneously wondering where our hero is.  It’s becoming clearer that perhaps the “cream of the crop” is not rising among current choices.

In addition to Gov. Palin’s interview today, the AP’s Steve Peoples wrote a very informative piece titled: “Tea Partyers Not Keen on GOP Presidential Field.” 

In the article, Mr. Peoples states:

Just a year ago, tea party activists came roaring out of the congressional elections eager to shape the looming race for the White House.

Things have not gone as planned.

Turned off by Mitt Romney’s style and evolution on several important issues, they have bounced from one candidate to another in hopes of finding a formidable alternative to the former Massachusetts governor to focus their enthusiasm.

After a series of disappointments — Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, and businessman Herman Cain among them — the anti-establishment movement has settled, for now, on a favorite: former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, even though he has spent more than three decades in Washington politics.

With the Iowa caucuses on Jan. 3 and tea party support fractured at best, some activists worry that the passion that defined the movement 13 months ago may become lost in the selection of the next president.

Infighting among conservative groups, a growing sense of pragmatism, and glaring weaknesses among the candidates have forced some tea party leaders to acknowledge their limits and shift their attention to Congress.

You can read the entire article here.

Whether or not these messages will begin to gain traction onto the national front remains to be seen.  But seeing now that the GOP’s front-runners have failed to gain long-lasting support from the tea party this late in the game, one can only assume this will continue to fester as the Iowa Caucus draws nearer.