Alana Marie Burke: Who's afraid of Sarah Palin?

Redding, California Record Searchlight contributing columnist Alana Marie Burke contends that Sarah Palin is "the best kind of feminist":

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.

[...]

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.

Ms. Burke's full column is here.