There are numerous reasons why so many liberal women hate and fear Sarah Palin. However, with the exception of her pro-life stance and perhaps her Christianity, it is not really her "principle-centered policies" that cause the foam-at-the-mouth hissyfits that afflict Palinophobes. They hate her on a much more personal level.

Palin's folksy demeanor, faulty diction and lack of elitist education, combined with pervasive appeal, are what drive her haters nuts. Ultra-liberal feminists detest that a moose-hunting everymom was able to rise to the top of the heap when so many elitist feminists rest on their lily-white laurels and pat themselves on the back for their "enlightened" political views while accomplishing very little.

The average Jane admires Palin for her ability to forge a path from obscurity to relative power while sticking to her beliefs (and guns), but more than half of Americans view her unfavorably. Yet, despite Palin's low approval numbers, liberals still fear her. Perhaps it is because Palin's view that "This is America and every woman can walk through every door of opportunity" could mobilize enough support from politically disenchanted women to harness a viable voting bloc.

It is interesting to note that more men than women believe Palin is qualified to be president - perhaps because they are not personally threatened by her and find the combination of pit bull and femininity intriguing.

New York Times columnist David Brooks called Palin a "fatal cancer to the Republican party." If this is accurate, then why are Democrats bent on discrediting her? Wouldn't they do well to let her keep her hopes up and let that cancer fester?

Despite their intentions to tear Palin down, her hate club is doing her a great favor with their incessant chatter, which inflames her base and keeps her in the news. If the chatter continues, before they know it, Palin might be on that 2012 ticket. On the other hand, if Palin chooses not to run for national office, Oprah is retiring in two years and, given the substantial interest in "Going Rogue," Palin might want to take a shot at her spot. Someone get my liberal readers some water; they just choked on their own vitriol.

Palin particularly annoys feminists who can't tolerate the idea that a woman with conviction, guts, ambition and the resources to gain cultural and political power is a conservative and not on board with the militant feminist agenda. What they won't acknowledge is that Palin is the best kind of feminist - one who believes in equality and empowering women without detracting from femininity, which yes, can include babies and husbands without being subordinate.

Palin's version of a feminist is very palatable to many women in America who believe that they can choose to stay at home and raise a family, travel a career path or, with enough resources, do both with a high level of self-esteem.

Palin remains such a threat to Democrats that The Associated Press assigned 11 reporters to "fact check" her book and the media is on watchdog alert for any misstep she might make. A commenter on the Washington Independent's Web site wrote, "The reason we are afraid of her is because we know that the American people can be stupid and gullible." I can understand that comment given the last election, but I don't think it applies. It's just another liberal insult intended to discredit without merit.

Regardless of whether you are an elitist who can't stomach the thought of a hockey mom influencing American political policy or an everymom who admires Palin's tenacity, it cannot be denied that she is a provocative and interesting public figure. Is she good for the country and can she lead it? At this point, that answer is unclear. Is Obama good for the country? The current Real Clear Politics poll indicates only 50 percent of Americans think so. Given all the hoopla for "The One," that's not an overwhelming show of support.