That’s the way Mitt won his gubernatorial and general in MA: he ran against female candidates whom he painted as complete, stereotypical female ditzes. I’m pretty sure it will backfire if his team continues to be so overt about it with Palin—which I’m sure is why they’ve generally been trying to bury their tracks.
Yes. It’s going to be more difficult for him this time around, because Sarah has much more experience dealing with underhanded, unprincipled people like him. I wouldn’t be surprised, though, if he’s in it to the bitter end. No matter what it costs.