Karl Rove really really hates her. And fears her.

And it's not just Karl Rove...

Republican hacks *hate* Sarah Palin and the TEA Party folks. Because they've gotten to wherever it is they are in the GOP by being sycophants to the next higher GOP rump on the ladder.

When people show up who actually believe in conservative values, and the Constitution, they are despised because the hacks and wonks see what their own shortcomings are. Then they can either change what they're doing or get rid of the nasty folks who are making their consciences hurt. By and large, they'll choose the latter. Self-examination when it comes to actions and goals is not something most Americans practice. And it does show.

What I love about Palin is that she's not afraid to come out swinging. For instance, her comment "corrupt bastards" is pure jugular juice! No other politician would've said that. They'd have hemmed, hawed, slicked it. Palin calls it as it is and is not afraid to go after it. She's the only real man in the GOP.

I like that Sarah Palin annoys all the right people. However, that's not enough to get me to support her. Granted, she's consistently better than the other likely options, but that's not really an enthusiasm builder. It's enough to get me to vote for her, but not enough to get me to support her campaign.

I recall reading somewhere that, as governor of Alaska, Palin had some responsibilities negotiating with Russia about trade over their border. However, I've lost the source (and it didn't really go into much detail anyway). Does anyone know what sort of things she did? Can anyone recommend a sort of "Sarah Palin Primer?"

I reached the point a while back of "If they annoy/scare the right people, they're good." And she seems to just scare hell out of all the right people.

I'm not so sure for Palin for President in 2012. However, given her march in 2010 with stumping for TEA partiers... wouldn't it be nice if she were helping to run the shots as the chairman of the RNC? Steele has been a big disappointment once he took up the reins. It's similar to my feelings about those heading the State Department under Bush 43; it felt like they converted to the environment, rather than trying to steer it away from their current direction.

Palin has been showing a strong independent streak, one that isn't kow-towing to 'her betters' and one that is actually producing a lot of results (at least in the primaries; a few more days before the full history can be written). She's not likely to fall into the "Old Boy's Club" mentality. And she is out there fighting to get people elected. A big difference from Steele and Co., who have paid millions to support candidates who then take the money with one hand and give the middle finger with the other.

CayleyGraph,

She was most noted for rooting out corruption in Alaska. Democrat AND Republican.

She is an oil and gas industry expert.

She consistently out maneuvers her political opponents.

Her husband Todd is a STAUNCH libertarian.

Before she was on the national stage she had an 80+% approval rating as Governor.

CayleyGraph, you asked for info on Palin. Here goes from a source found at http://conservatives4palin.com.

"daughter of a science teacher
⁃ worked her way through college
⁃ degree in journalism w/political science minor 
⁃ youngest governor of Alaska
⁃ ushered in sweeping ethics reform
⁃ helped negotiate a stalled $40 billion private gas pipeline
⁃ two terms as the city manager of Wasilla
⁃ full-time executive position
⁃ oversaw city finances and budgets
⁃ lowered business taxes
⁃ cut wasteful spending
⁃ undertook infrastructure projects
⁃ grew her city's tax base
⁃ selected to serve as the president of the Alaska Council of Mayors.
⁃ Resigned governorship
⁃ spare her state from fiscal ruin of more than two dozen frivolous ethics complaints."

Here's the same in another format with more info added. There's enough in there for me and you and others to work to make this woman POTUS.

"Sarah Palin has been in executive level politics for almost 20 years.
Some of Sarah's accomplishments.

In Alaska, Sarah's top priorities included fiscal restraint, limiting the size of government, resource development, education, equitable oil valuation as well as transportation and infrastructure development. Sarah Palin fought for ethics reform and transparency in government.

Sarah Palin has a long record of achievement and experience in public office.Prior her election as Governor, Palin served two terms on the Wasilla City Council and two terms as the mayor of Wasilla. During her tenure, she reduced property tax levels while increasing services and made Wasilla a business-friendly environment, drawing in new industry.

Under her leadership as Governor, Alaska invested $5 billion in state savings, overhauled education funding and protected Alaska's natural resources. She created Alaska's Petroleum Systems Integrity Office to provide oversight and maintenance of oil and gas equipment, facilities and infrastructure and the Climate Change Subcabinet to prepare a climate change strategy for Alaska.

During Governor Palin's first year in office, three of her administrations major proposed pieces of legislation passed—an overhaul of the state's ethics laws, a competitive process to construct a natural gas pipeline and a restructuring of Alaska's oil valuation formula.

Governor Palin's "business experience" comes with the negotiations and dealings she has had with one of the most powerful industries in the world: the energy industry. This includes the negotiations on what will be the largest private infrastructure project in North American history. Governor Palin has successfully negotiated new tax structures, lease deals and other issues that arise in the Alaska energy industry.
At the end of the day, Governor Palin negotiated billion dollar deals with one of the toughest industries in the world

Sarah Palin is past chair of the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, a multistate government agency that promotes the conservation and efficient recovery of domestic oil and natural gas resources while protecting health, safety and the environment. She also served as chair of the National Governors Association (NGA) Natural Resources Committee, which was charged with pursuing legislation to ensure state needs are considered as federal policy is formulated in the areas of agriculture, energy, environmental protection and natural resource management.

Sarah Palin's successful efforts to stop the cronyism and reform the energy business in Alaska were so impressive Kay Cashman, the publisher and executive editor of Petroleum News, wrote the book entitled: "Sarah Takes On Big Oil" .
This is a must read for anyone who wants to understand the leadership Sarah Palin has exhibited in the area of reforming government and industry!!

While Governor Palin has a history of being a reformer and taking on powerful interests for the benefit of ordinary people, Obama's history is that of a tool of special interests, be they unions, trial lawyers, ACORN, or Wall Street."