A major story of the 2008 presidential campaign was that one of the candidates was profoundly inexperienced and virtually unknown until very recently. The candidate in question was chosen largely on sex appeal becuase of the cult-like following developing in the party base. Many throughout the country wondered how a major party would allow this a silly naif on its presidential ticket when there were so very many better choices. Had experience and serious leadership skills become necessary in presidential politics? Despite a thin resume and few qualifications, Barack Obama was nominated as candidate for president by the Democratic Party.

Another story from the campaign was the choice of Sarah Palin as the Republican Party’s candidate for Vice President. You know the story; it continues to this day. Palin is a lightning rod for the left. She has become a litmus test in the culture war. In order to be am accepted member of the sophisticated and cosmopolitan, American Brahman class, you must shake your head and proclaim your utter disdain for this Alaskan rube. Show any acceptance of or, God forbid, support for her role in our public life and you may forget your dreams of a listing in the Social Register. You shall be consigned to the ranks of the gun and religion clinging hillbillies of fly-over country.

The New York Times has this to say about Palin’s new book.

Mr. McCain’s astonishing decision to pick someone with so little experience (less than two years as the governor of Alaska, and before that, two terms as mayor of Wasilla, a town with fewer than 7,000 residents) as his running mate and Ms. Palin’s own surprisingly nonchalant reaction to Mr. McCain’s initial phone call about the vice president’s slot (she writes that it felt “like a natural progression”) underscore just how alarmingly expertise is discounted — or equated with elitism — in our increasingly democratized era, and just how thoroughly colorful personal narratives overshadow policy arguments and actual knowledge.

They fail to point out that Palin, as vice president candidate, had infinitely more executive leadership experience than did Obama; the Democratic PRESIDENTIAL candidate. The resulting election of the naif from Chicago has America suffering through this nation’s first “American Idol” presidency. A presidency based on the stage appeal and skills in the performing arts and little else is our current lot.

I like Sarah… a lot. There is very little about her politics or her life than I find unappealing. Furthermore, I am proud to be a fan and a supporter.

There. I said it. I have likely earned a permanent moratorium on receiving invitations to Upper East Side cocktail parties and Georgetown teas. Oh well. I am pretty happy out here clinging to guns and religion anyway.