I think folks are quick to step to her defense on account of two things:
1. Republican establishment throwing her overboard.
2. WH coordination of the smear campaign against Palin, including the use of astroturfers and trolls to spread rumors and b.s.
I agree that she has been lampooned quite a bit, not only by popular culture, but also by the establishment through a whisper campaign.
I also know she inspires a lot of devotion amongst the base, and will have a role one way or another in politics (if she wants to).
That is the danger inherent in being a reformer.
I’m concerned that even if she does get elected to the Presidency (I know, jumping ahead here) that she will find it difficult to enact her policy initiatives because of her unique situation. She would have to administer on force of personality alone, unless she can build a machine in the next 4 years that permeates not only election channels, but also the political structure. I think she will have a much easier time with the election part of it than with the administration part of it.
It’s all too early to tell. 4 years is a long time. Not even a year ago most people had never even heard of Sarah Palin, except for a devoted few on FR who tapped her as a political superstar. So far, they got the last half of that right—the first part has yet to come to pass.