If there is one thing we've learned in this election it is that in the much of the Beltway Village experience and accomplishment mean nothing in a woman; they are not considered required virtues (as demonstrated by the selection of Ms. Palin who lacks them), nor highly desired, respected and valued attributes (as demonstrated by the disdainful dismissal of Hillary Clinton's qualifications and experience). This is true in politics and TV punditry, and as Maureen Dowd showed in her book, "Are Men Necessary," in Village matters of romance and marriage. Women who have, over time, gained wisdom are just as in danger of denigration, dismissal and disappearance for having done so as are those women who, over time, have lost their looks.

The Palin selection though, isn't explained as much by her age, as it is explained by John McCain's. (Although if she had been 10 years older, with more direct experience and opinions, she would probably have been out of the running.)

McCain has spent forever among the military jocks and political jokers, the hyper-masculine power brokers, and the mostly male beltway media sycophants to which the idea of a woman holding genuine power is still an incomprehensible joke. It was impossible for him to see that offering Palin the Vice Presidency was offering her real power -- so he was shocked and unprepared when people demanded to know what experience and accomplishments he thought commended her to be trusted with that power.

When McCain picked Sarah Palin, he didn't think like someone picking an accomplished though untraditional candidate for the role of the nation's VP. He thought like someone who wanted to make an unexpected, newsworth pick for a different, more traditional role -- his, the male hero's, sidekick.

As a true Villager and old military man the only experience Palin had that he saw ir valued was experience that could be massaged to further HIS storyline. On the campaign trail or in the Executive Suite her role wouldn't be VP, it would be the traditional female role of loyal supporter -- hired on to buff up the hero, praise his ideas, laugh at his jokes, confirm his strength and valor, and, when necessary, with a sharp tongue, saucy hair toss and small town girl grin -- even, if called for,  a wink or two --  smite his enemies, shame his critics and charm his partisans.

She was on the ticket, she was a disaster, and she influenced the election to a degree -- a degree, to repeat, that probably no other VP on a ticket has.

Having said that Palin represents all the things that are wrong with the GOP.  She is a demagogue who is more interested in the culture war than pushing for intelligent policies.  

She is the embodiment  of what is wrong with the Republican Party right now.

And the McCain camp's war against Palin is the first in what I hope will be a long series of battles in the intra-Republican civil war.  McCain might as well take the hit-he has nothing to lose.

And most of the stuff was BS imo.

Frankly, this is different.I am all for fomenting civil war in the GOP. During the election, attacks on Palin by Dems UNIFIED the GOP.

I'm certain she knows about Africa.  But she was overwhelmed by expectations to know things she didn't.

She didn't flop because she didn't know certain facts.  She flopped because she went from Single A ball straight to the majors and she didn't know how to hit the media curve ball.