Palin continues to be a constant topic of conversation even in defeat

Washington, January 14 (ANI): Alaska Governor Sarah Palin might have been unsuccessful as the Republican vice-presidential candidate in the 2008 U.S. election, but still continues to attract criticism as well as admiration.

The media is so fascinated with Palin that there is no sign of letting up when it comes to covering any conversation about her, even as her opponents prepare to enter the White House.

Even though Palin has now said whether she plans to run for national office again in 2012, many believe that she has plenty of time to take a decision.

It is, however, also said that Palin's critics too have plenty of time to sharpen their attacks on her.

"The left certainly has targeted her and I think they see her as a potential 2012 Republican nominee," Fox News quoted Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics, as saying.

He further said that Palin invited some degree of ridicule by giving "terrible interviews" and making "dumb" statements.

"Palin took more than her fair share of shots during the campaign. But the subtext about her became so negative and so deeply ingrained that it was virtually impossible for her to dig herself out -- and she didn't get much help from some of the McCain people, either," he said.

However, Palin still continues to attract enthusiastic supporters.

The sponsors of TeamSarah.org, a pro-Palin Web site hacked by Palin foes, say that the Alaska governor stirs fear and loathing on the left chiefly because of her challenge to the established order.

"She really is the first woman of her kind to run for public office on the national stage. She's very traditional in her views, but at the same time she's doing a very modern thing by blazing a trail for women like her in politics," said Marjorie Dannenfelser, with the Susan B. Anthony List, a political action committee that supports anti-abortion female candidates.

"Now, young women can look at her and say, 'I can do that. I don't have to be Gloria Steinem. You know, I don't have to be Jane Fonda. I can be Sarah Palin,'" Dannenfelser added. (ANI)