Palin blows off biggest conservative conference of the year

Something is up. It's not clear what. But Palin, who has made pretty clear that she still thinks a blithering idiot can be president (well, I guess the last 8 years already proved that one), is now blowing off the top see-and-be-seen conservative political conference of the year? It's not a scheduling conflict. It's a strategic move, and rather fascinating. Is Palin trying to reposition herself as kinder and gentler for 2012?