We didn’t have “Charisma”. It is a popularity contest. Issues don’t matter anymore.
They couldn;t stand Palin because she was not “their kind.” Which is why Rove —that par venue—refused to back our candidates in Delaware and Nevada in 2010. It was insane that Palin did not speak at the convention, of only to “hand-off” the baton to Ryan. But the Establishment has already done their bit to trash Palin’s reputation. After McCain capitulation after September 16, 2008, her glamour was not only inconvenient but a threat.