[Virginia Ridgerunner]

But I think the media has, very unfortunately, damaged her ‘image’ to the general population to such an extent that she could not be taken seriously.

So you're willing to concede to the Rats that their Alinsky tactics worked and thus vindicate future "thumpings" against other Conservatives?

[AUJenn]

No, I’m just saying that with this particular person Sarah Palin, it’s worked. I hate how she has been portrayed and demonized, but it’s gone on hard-core for three years now. Relentlessly. Ask any regular person on the street their opinion of her and you’ll usually get the typical ‘she’s not smart’ or ‘I don’t like her’ even though they can’t tell you why.

I don’t think anyone could have predicted how brutally she would be treated by the media. But it has provided a road map and warning to other candidates, IMO.