Sarah Palin’s a rock star.

Not the kind who can jam on a guitar or bang a mean drum, but the kind who has energized the Republican base since she was named John McCain’s running mate. Just watching the morning news shows this morning, we here at wowOwow have heard the Alaska governor called a “rock star” more than once.

She may have had some stumbles – what with saying her foreign policy credentials are good because she can see Russia from her house, and floundering in some national television interviews – but many conservatives agree that whether McCain wins or not, Palin has a bright future in the party. Heck – she could even be the presidential nominee in 2012.

Whether the McCain-Palin ticket wins or loses against Barack Obama and Joe Biden on November 4, a group of prominent conservatives are planning to meet the next day to discuss the way forward.

And Palin is going to be high on the agenda.

The New York Times reports that Palin’s prospects, in or out of government, are the subject of intensive conversations among conservative leaders, including the group that will meet next Wednesday in rural Virginia to weigh social, foreign policy and economic issues, as well as the political landscape and the next presidential election.

If McCain wins, the discussion will feature much talk of, "How do we work with this administration?" one meeting attendee told Politico.

In a McCain White House, Palin would be seen as the conservatives’ conduit to power. “She would be the conservative in the White House,” is how the source put it.

But if McCain loses, next week’s conversation will include who to groom as the next generation of conservative leaders – and Palin will be at or near the top.

Brent Bozell, president of the Media Research Center, called it a “top order of business” to determine Palin’s future role. “Conservatives have been looking for leadership, and she has proven that she can electrify the grass roots like few people have in the last 20 years,” Bozell told the Times. “No matter what she decides to do, there will be a small mother lode of financial support behind her.”

New AP polls out today show Barack Obama ahead of McCain in six swing states, and running neck-and-neck with his Republican opponent in two others.

CNBC “Closing Bell” host Maria Bartiromo interviewed Palin and McCain in their first live appearance together yesterday. Appearing on MSNBC this morning, Bartiromo had praise for Palin, but said one of her problems is that she has probably been overcoached by her campaign handlers.

“I think she is very bright, actually. I think she has a naivete with the media, she’ll learn it,” Bartiromo said. “I think, at some point, she will be a rock star.”

MSNBC co-host Mika Brzezinski – herself no big fan of Palin – said “she is amazing, on many levels.” Not least of which that she is a mother of five, a governor and not long ago was just a mayor of a tiny town of 9,000.