That is a strange and inaccurate way to describe Governor Palin.
Palin's rise to national prominence began when she became the youngest Governor, and first female Governor in Alaskan history, and her defeating the sitting Republican Governor in the primary, and the previous Democrat Governor in the general, to do it, people notice things like that.
The Weekly Standard people did personally meet the Governor when they were in Juneau, and that was followed by articles on the rising conservative star who was already making national news with her battles and stances on issues of national prominence, such as the "bridge to nowhere".
That is a strange and inaccurate way to describe Governor Palin.
Palin's rise to national prominence began when she became the youngest Governor, and first female Governor in Alaskan history, and her defeating the sitting Republican Governor in the primary, and the previous Democrat Governor in the general, to do it, people notice things like that.
The Weekly Standard people did personally meet the Governor when they were in Juneau, and that was followed by articles on the rising conservative star who was already making national news with her battles and stances on issues of national prominence, such as the "bridge to nowhere".
It's not strange and isn't inaccurate. Kristol's hand in making her known nationally is not in dispute. It's not a bad thing either.
For the record, and since you brought it up, she supported the Bridge to Nowhere when she was running for office in October 2006 (before she was against it). The project was officially cancelled in August 2007, after the Alaskan cruise hosted by The Weekly Standard. However, the controversial issue of funding The Bridge to Nowhere rose to "national prominence" when it was contentiously debated in Congress in October 2005 regarding the 2006 National Appropriations Bill, before she took office, in December 2006. It then became an issue again during the 2008 campaign. Hope this helps...