(Image source: New York Daily News)

BY TRACY PFEIFFER

ANCHOR CHRISTINA HARTMAN

You're watching multisource politics news analysis from Newsy.

Former Alaska governor Sarah Palin is keepin’ ‘em guessing.

Pundits and fans were aflutter over her appearance in Iowa Saturday-- suspecting she’d use the platform to announce her candidacy.

But even as the crowd chanted “Run, Sarah, Run” -- Mama Grizzly says the jury’s still out. (Video: WHO)

And now some are asking-- has the jury been out too long?

The Republican field’s looking a little crowded-- and the editor of the Iowa Republican website tells Bloomberg-- the clock’s ticking.

“If she is not going to win the state of Iowa, I don’t know what early state she could win... After September, it’s going to be almost impossible to jump in the race and win the Iowa caucuses.”

The New York Times’ Jeff Zeleny tells CBS-- it’ll be a struggle to get a functioning, organized campaign force together.

JEFF ZELENY, NY TIMES: “I think she would have to do this with a grassroots effort. She would have to use some of these supporters who really have been coming from across the country here to Iowa to see her this weekend. …But, boy that’s not the same as really having a campaign organization. You actually have to get people organized and you have to get people organized and you have to have paid staff in early voting states. So she definitely would start a major deficit.”

State-filing deadlines could also be an issue-- South Carolina’s is November 1st.

But prior to the former governor’s appearance in Iowa, a source hinted to CNN-- she’s still setting up her game.

“The source said Palin is attempting to burnish her image as an outsider and a reformer... Palin plans to unleash a furious criticism of ‘crony capitalism’ and attack the ‘permanent political class’ in both parties: thinly veiled criticisms of Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who has surged to the top of most polls for the Republican presidential nomination.”

There’s plenty of reason to suspect she’s too late to the game, says a writer for U.S. News & World Report-- but keep in mind, this is Sarah Palin we’re talking about.

“Palin ... operates in a world where the usual rules of politics don't always apply. Everything about Palin is unpredictable, including her intensely personal and cultural style of politics, her embrace of celebrity through big media events and reality shows, and her close-knit circle of advisers removed from the D.C. professional operative class.” 

Follow @NewsyVideos on Twitter

Get more multisource video news analysis from Newsy

Transcript by Newsy