Sarah Palin, Silent Star

We are back to the days when movie actors posed and pranced for the cameras without uttering a word in the new media strategy of the Republican vice-presidential candidate whose charisma had an unfortunate side effect last year--foot-in-mouth disease that hurt John McCain's chances.

Here she is in Washington this weekend for photo ops after notifying the assembled Republicans in Hot Springs, Va. that she would be tied up on state business in Alaska, making the 4,500-mile trip to attend the Alfalfa Club Dinner Saturday night, an annual closed-door do for the nation's political elite.

But Governor Palin said not a word, either at the dinner or in answer to questions reporters tried to ask as she came and went.

While giving media the silent treatment, Palin has formed a political action committee that will allow her to raise money for and donate cash to candidates for office over the coming years, positioning herself to run for president in 2012.

Sarahpac will be "dedicated to building America's future, supporting fresh ideas and candidates who share our vision for reform and innovation."

The new Palin strategy of media muteness will certainly keep her gaffe-free for a while, but there is no sign that it is stirring fellow Republicans. Asked about her no-show at the Congressional GOP gathering, House Leader John Boehner had a succinct comment:

"Whatever."