In sum, Palin has an attraction that many people cannot fathom. She did earn her way up a political ladder in Alaska, but that is below the broader radar for most. She is not to the manor born, not having met her husband at an Andover dance. Also: She has not ever been a theater critic, unlike Frank Rich—although I wouldn’t draw from that the conclusion, as Rich does, that she disdains educated people.

Since Palin’s political attraction isn’t immediately comprehensible to the ruling class, she terrifies those who don’t think as she does. I’m convinced that her run for the presidency is her way of baiting these people—her enemies.

In effect, she’s a strong, beautiful, ungovernable woman who is scaring the pants off a whole lot of people—scaring the pants, to be sure, off Frank Rich, and off dear old Barbara Bush.