Where in the world is Sarah Palin?

It is well known that Sarah Palin became a commentator on Fox News in January 2010. I was initially excited and thought it was a really shrewd move for Palin. I am not sure this was a good idea now for either Palin or Fox.

I need to back up a bit so what I write about Palin from here on out will be comprehended by those who can't see straight when they even hear the words "Sarah Palin." I, like every other American, had never heard of Sarah Palin before she was announced as John McCain's running mate in the last election. My first reaction was "oh great, he played the gender card." I'm so tired of politicians thinking that I as a woman vote because of someone's gender, color or wardrobe choice. I had originally wanted Mitt Romney to be the Republican candidate for president so I was HOPING that McCain would choose him. Then, I could at least vote for half the ticket instead of for the lesser of two evils.

I thought Obama would smartly pick Hillary Clinton—which would have been a slam dunk for the progressives. But Obama's ego is so huge, he chose the very demographic the left has contempt for—the bumbling, middle-aged, non threatening, white, career politician—Joe Biden and offered Hillary Secretary of State so she couldn't run against him later—unless of course, she quit. Can't wait to see what happens in 2012. Talk about the antithesis of "change." Because Obama left the door open for a game change (no reference to the book), McCain picked a complete unknown which eventually catapulted an unsuspecting Palin into the stratosphere. The rest is history.

With no opinion on Palin to begin with, I watched the entire process from beginning to end. Once she spoke at the convention, she became my candidate of choice—McCain was just the other guy on the ticket. I wanted her in the White House and, well, if McCain was there too, well then that would be okay. My vote was going to be FOR Palin. The more the media and the left eviscerated her and the more real and direct she was in responding to the vitriol, the more I was impressed. She was nonplussed and unflappable during the entire campaign.

In June 2009, I was driving from Texas to California with my father when she came on the radio and announced her resignation as governor. We both listened to the speech live. She never uses a teleprompter. The woman speaks from the heart. I was not disappointed, nor fazed by her decision. It made perfect sense to me that she would act in the people's best interests and save Alaska from the outrageous costs associated with the overwhelming amount of frivolous lawsuits and investigations aimed at discrediting her, her family, and bankrupting her, her family and making it impossible for her to get back to the business of governing.

One only need to see this woman making moose stew with young children circulating around her in the kitchen while talking to Greta Van Susteren to GET how real, competent, bright, capable and smart Sarah Palin was. Refreshing doesn't even begin to describe how those of us who "get" Sarah Palin feel about her.

I do not hold Sarah Palin's religious views, was disheartened to learn that her teenage daughter was pregnant, and disappointed that she didn't assert herself on both the now infamous Katie Couric and Charles Gibson interviews. HOWEVER, in every other interview and/or rally, and any other place where a camera was stuck in her face, she was consistent, direct, honest, up front, gracious, articulate and her record popularity in Alaska (which I studied) preceded ALL of the ensuing controversy—meaning that she was doing great things while no one was looking. For that, I admire her. I bought her book, Going Rogue, the day it came out (bought one for dad, another one for a military hero and have mine on loan to a neighbor at present time) and read it within a few days. Funny when you read something "new" while the media is "reviewing" the book. The views on MSNBC were unbelievable—a whiner! For the record, Sarah Palin does not whine. Chris Matthews whines. Rachel Maddow scowls. Keith Olbermann condescends.

Palin addressed EVERY single issue during the campaign and then some in this well written, thorough book. And Sarah Palin is NO victim. She is a triple threat—a married, in love, mother of 5, one with special needs, and one who is an American hero. She is a competitive athlete and feminine at the same time. She is over 40. She wears glasses and makes them look sexy. She looks just as beautiful in a yellow fishing suit as she does in a business suit. She speaks with a midwestern accent, leaves "gs' off of "ing" words and occasionally says "crap" on TV. Bring it on. We need more of that and less of the "dazzle you with my big word "bull--it" the politicians spew as truth from their bullypulpits. The truth is that "thinking" Americans don't believe any of it anymore.

All this being said, after reading, seeing, watching all of the far left continue to tear her apart limb by limb long after she resigned LAST June, it was an exciting announcement to hear she would join the Fox News team. I thought that this was an excellent move—at first!

The first interview with Bill O'Reilly was okay at best. However, I immediately noticed that she did not seem to have the same "fire within her belly" during that interview that she had as a candidate. The next interview was with Glenn Beck. This highly anticipated "first meeting" was held in a sterile room "Barbara Walters" style in front of the Statue of Liberty.

Beck was original in that he finally asked her some questions that were NEW but I would have loved to see her on his set at the table with an energetic exchange between both. It was silent and almost sterile, and a bit awkward. Beck is best at the blackboard. I, and so many Americans, I'm sure, are also so tired of the questions about her intelligence, Levi Johnson and discerning whether she reads or not. Beck did a great job in asking some new questions. The best moment was in her revelation that she was studying up on the details of the Statue of Liberty, expecting to be asked about that. Thank you NBC for ensuring that only the most important questions are asked of a candidate so they have a "phone-a-friend" available during an interview. But, again, I didn't find Palin to be as relaxed and engaging as she was when repeatedly interviewed during the election process. Since then, she has virtually disappeared from Fox.

I have been eagerly awaiting seeing her featured in the segments that regularly include Newt Gingrich, Karl Rove, Monica Crowley and the like. But no Sarah. The last time I saw her was during the State of the Union on a split screen. Unlike the distinguished bluescreen backgrounds featuring other Fox remote broadcasters, it looked like she was commenting from a poorly lit office of her home. Even her makeup and hair from the famous in studio Fox makeup/hair folks haven't had her looking as coiffed as Megyn Kelly, Gretchen Carlson and Kimberly Guillfoyle. I am left wondering whether Fox regrets hiring her and also if Palin regrets being hired.

Former presidential candidate, Mike Huckabee, has managed to create a successful show on Fox during the past year or two. I remember that his first show was awkward as well. It took a few times for him to hit his stride. It remains to be seen if Palin or Fox is really certain of where they are headed in this venture—remember, OTHERS are saying she wants to run for president in 2010—she has never said that and she also admitted freely in her book that stepping down as governor might be the nail in the coffin for a future run for any major political office. Sarah Palin is at her best when she is speaking on an issue that she is passionate about. Where she falls short is in the expanded use of her vocabulary. She uses the phrase "common sense solutions" far too much. This redundancy doesn't serve her well. Unfortunately, the use of the word "uncomfortableness" during the O'Reilly interview made even me cringe—if she had just laughed about it and said "was that a word?" THAT would have been quintessential Palin and disarmed her critics, but she is seeming quite stiff these days, almost afraid to show any of her human side. It is unfortunate but I understand the road she has had to travel.

But if you're going to run with the big dogs on Fox, you've got to be able to present well, vary your vocabulary and hit a home run. Otherwise, you're going to be a very easy target for Olbermann and Matthews. Not that anyone is watching them of course, but why give them any material?

I am now left wondering if Sarah Palin will suddenly disappear from Fox. If she "quits," it will be a very bad thing for her going forward. If she is fired from Fox, it will be worse. For now, I remain hopeful but am sadly disappointed in her broadcasts to date. I still believe in what she stands for and that she is an excellent representative for the average American family. I believe she shows tremendous integrity in governing. I just don't know if she is cut out to be a pundit. If these first few broadcasts don't give way to something more substantive, meaty and powerful, she may fade back into the landscape once again. That would be most unfortunate. Perhaps her keynote speech at the upcoming Tea Party Convention will once again remind people of her ability to lead, connect and inspire.