But getting back to the original point, the media perception of Quayle was that he was borderline retarded. I have met the man a couple of times, and he is a highly intelligent, charismatic person. Palin may get more coverage, but I would dispute the idea that she has gotten the hammer as hard as he got it.
Quayle wasn't retarded, but neither was he ever aggressive about defining himself. A hostile media filled the void. If only Quayle had responded to Lloyd Bentsen’s famous taunt that he “was no Jack Kennedy” by flashing a smile and saying: “Of course not, I'm faithful to my wife” — he would by now be America's best and most beloved former President. Alas, he just looked flustered and muttered something about how he was the victim of a low blow. The enemedia went on to hammer him into their “moron conservative” template
This worked with Quayle in large part because he is a gracious, decent person. Pig wrestling was beneath him and so the swine went unwrestled and his reputation never recovered.
Palin, by contrast, is a scrapper. She also has tools Quayle didn't have in the days before alternative media flowered,and she is remarkably astute about using them. I don't think she can be Quayled, certainly her poll numbers at this point do nothing to persuade me otherwise.
Then again, maybe I'm just indulging in wishful thinking. Palin may get into the race and stumble coming out of the gate. She may give it a miss. Unlike some others I don't have much invested in the prospect of her candidacy. But I will be surprised if she doesn't run and even more surprised if she does run and doesn't do it well. I can't think of anyone else about whom I could say as much.