She was doing okay in Alaska before we knew her real well. I'll never forget when she created a mini scandal out of thin air. A popular Anchorage Police Chief had been made State Public Safety Commissioner and then was abpruptly dismissed from his job by then-Governor Palin. It was like the sudden breakup of an apparently happy family.
It developed over time that the Commissioner had resisted terminating a State Trooper who had personal difficulties with the Governor's family. Allegations fly to-and-fro to this day but the one obvious fact is that the Palins play public ball over personal issues and are not adept at it.
Palin may shine forth from time to time, and she may attract attention and some support, but her biggest enemy is: Palin.