If the Dems here don't know what power Mrs Palin has or why she has it, then they know nothing about politics.

I dont know if Sarah believes what she says...but she can sure make others believe she does!

It's the same as the UK, folks want someone who speaks for "THEM"; and whether we like to admit it or not, that means the great silent majority, the ordinary Joes and Janes who dont know their arse from their elbows as far as "fiscal policy" is concerned, but can smell a phoney at 500mtrs.
Obama never cracked Americas blue collar sector, he was elected on the black vote, which widened, not narrowed the divides
In the UK "New Labour" are universally distrusted, blamed for an illegal war and financial meltdown.
Rightly people feel used by politicians, who they feel do not represent their concerns.

Look at this forum, do you think we represent a cross section of UK or US society?.....I dont think so, we're nothing but an ageing band of chattering poseurs.
The real world is happening well outside these pages.