I still like that Vanity Fair article about Palin, and what you say, Jill, was noted in that article:

“… In the aftermath of the November election, the conventional wisdom among Palin’s supporters in the Republican establishment was that she should go home, keep her head down, show that she could govern effectively, and quietly educate herself about foreign and domestic policy with the help of a cadre of experienced advisers. She has done none of this. Rather, she has pursued an erratic course …”

http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/200…

I agree with you, Jill. Oh, she can hope that some new voters might come of age between now and 2012, but they'll probably vote Democratic, no matter what, anyway. Even many of us who follow her as a news item are mainly the spectators who see the real story that is usually occurring, namely the attacks on her, rather than her and what she's trying to do, or doing.

“[T]he 'real America' she preached to is far too small to result in an electoral or popular win for her”

I agree completely. Those of us who decry the mistreatment of her aren't necessarily going to vote for her because of that. More to the point, the group you identify is that which I've said for a long time has been greatly hyped and its influence and presence exaggerated. They're not to be disparaged or ignored (just as those who strongly support the public option currently for health care, who are an obvious minority, shouldn't be ignored; it's a big reason why I've maintained the public option isn't yet dead). The group of Palin fans is roughly interchangeable with “social conservatives” and is hyped and exaggerated (as well as abused) in very much the same (almost identical) way in which the Religious Right is treated.

This raises a separate (side) issue: The critical Left needs to make up its mind. Will it see the true size and influence of this group as you do, or will it (when it isn't disparaging it and diminishing it for political reasons) continue to hype it and exaggerate its size and influence (or importance), for obvious political reasons? (To what extent is attacking Palin a surrogate for attacking that mainly mythical Great Far Right?)

I could be wrong – wouldn't be the first time, but I still believe that the “real America” she preached to is far too small to result in an electoral or popular win for her.

But realistically (this is true for the others listed, not only Palin) it's too early (we'll know it's for real when Jeb Bush gives us all a clear impression, yes or no for 2012), and she can exploit her fame now, fame that isn't guaranteed to last (even with garbage attacks on her by the Left, which sustain the publicity).

Dorian