Ayn Rand was an extremely arrogant intellectual snob who called religion “mysticism” and thought it a sign of a weak and irrational mind. She despised Reagan for his professed Christianity, although he was arguably the only Randian to become POTUS. Except for her religious beliefs, Palin could have been a Randian heroine.
Ayn Rand is brilliant, but nobody is perfect.
Yes, the religion thing was too much, but as you said, no one is perfect. If she had spoke of those who fleece the flock, and left it at that, it would have been OK.