Oh just admit it, you never respected her.
Actually, I did at one time. I loved her appearances on Hannity & Colmes, as well as many of the editorials she wrote. Then I heard about her comment at CPAC, and was seriously put off by it. But I said, "Well, she's human, she's allowed to make a mistake", and now I read that she rejects evolution?
Hey, some want to embrace her, that's fine. I still agree with 90% of what she says politically (I think), but the two issues I spoke of in my OP are some of the most important in the minds of the "moderate"; they are, as I said, the stereotype of what many think conservatives are: Ignorant about science, and racist. Of course calling a religious group a name isn't "racist", just like simply rejecting evolution doesn't make one stupid or a "rube", but in the minds of the American voter they do, so I question her judgement.