Much like Maggie Thatcher and Golda Mier loved their countries. Strong leaders, both. And female.
While I reject the characterization of strong women as being somewhat strange, I can understand the opposition many folks have to women who don't seem to stay in their place. I don't agree with it, but I recognize it exists and is endemic to the male psyche.
There are exceptions to every rule, I don't believe either of those women had 5 children, one disabled, to raise while they were in power. Palin does, so much for conservative 'Traditional Values', she won't be pushing those because her current status in life doesn't necessarily exemplify it, plus that type of talk won't bring in the Hillary voters anyway.