The GOPe was scared too.
Exactly. My memory is very clear on this. Palin stunned everyone with her speech and charisma. She absolutely electrified the country, especially Conservatives.
At the time it was patently clear that Democrats were filled with abject fear. They were speechless, shocked, stammering for a response because they knew she was an instant star and absolutely connected with America.
It was also abundantly clear as the weeks went on that Palin began to eclipse the doddering old McCain. And that freaked out the GOPe. Here was a charismatic superstar in the making who was electrifying the base. Recall that before Palin, McCain was barely treading water. No one really like this warmed over bowl of porridge -- and then came Palin. Palin instantly changed the dynamics of the race, and yes this freaked out both Democrats and the GOP-e.
The GOPe was more scared than the Democrats and sabotaged her on purpose.