It was a lot more than that, though: Reagan also offered an alternative approach, which came to be known as "Reagonomics."
I don't know if you recall it, but also some time prior to Reagan's famous debate question, the RNC had begun running a series of amusing ads to prepare the ground for Reagan's economic message. And, of course, the bad old days of Carter's recession were in full cry: people were looking for an alternative answer -- people already knew things were bad.
And at the same time, Reagan also offered confident leadership in a Cold War that Carter seemed determined to lose. That, rather than economic issues, was a major factor in a lot of peoples' decision to back Reagan.
Sarah Palin is no Reagan. She can ask the "telling question," as indeed everybody can and does, too. But can she follow up? Has she offered a cogent alternative? Not yet.
The woman hasn’t freaking even ran yet! Let her compete against everyone else with their ideals and plans for the country and see who is better instead of you and your buddies trashing her more than you trash Obama
She offered a more sensible thought on the Egypt crisis than a lot of the GOP potentials, if they have then show it.