[Professor S]

As for the media bias concerning Palin as opposed to Biden, it's obvious and doesn't warrant discussion, IMO. Biden is an experienced buffoon. Palin is just an inexperienced naive. Neither are qualified but one at least has an excuse...

I think the media went after Sarah Palin for multiple reasons, and I'll list them in order:

1) She was unprepared for the office of Vice President. If she had aced or at least been passable in the Katie Couric interview, there would be no issue (or at least far less of one). It was a disaster. She gave those that were drooling at the thought of criticizing her all the ammo they needed.

2) She represents a part of America that the left and even NE Republicans simply do not understand. As a result, I think there is an element of almost xenophobia regarding her sudden rise and popularity, and also a tendency to dismiss her/mock her and her supporters because they don't know what to make of the phenomenon. I think this is where the term "elitist" comes from that Bond intoned.

3) She is a female Republican, and therefore a "traitor". For a while now it has been difficult for minorities and women to "come out" as Republicans because if they do they somehow are viewed an not being authentically female, black, etc. This is especially true of black Republicans.

4) She is an easy target with her accent and "folksiness".

In any case, she needs to diminish her publicly facing role in the party, if she cares about the health of her party. She attracts the social/religious base, but damages the attraction to moderates and fiscal Republicans and with the level of media scrutiny she attracts she is a distraction and prevents attention being made for real ideas to be presented by the GOP.