No she isn't. SWMBO and I had lunch with her a couple months before she became governor. She's real people. But after getting the "image makeover" to try to shoehorn her into what the Republicans thought would get McCain elected, there were inevitable cracks in the facade. Her views didn't mesh 100% with "the message" and there were a couple very embarrassing, very public missteps.
Everyone in this group has had good instincts that might have flown in the face of the status quo... and depending on the circumstances, you may have ended up with egg on your face. Or maybe you didn't have the courage to let that inner voice out.
Sarah is respected because she is human, and honest, and her instincts are good even if her experience isn't.
I am sure she felt the whole weight of success/failure of a presidential campaign, and that kind of stress would bring anyone to their knees.
We are all astounded and disappointed that she seemed to change after that experience... and this latest move is a huge disappointment, since Alaska has a ton of unfinished business. I have lost a bit of respect for her if this resignation is an attempt at a run for national office.
Call her inexperienced, but she certainly isn't bitchy or arrogant. She is a genuinely good person. I don't agree with a few of her views, but I certainly respect what she (in a short time) has done to root out corruption in Alaska.
An anecdote: My wife is in charge of several crews of highway flaggers, and Sarah has her flagger certificate. Very early in her campaign for Governor, Sarah happened to be at an intersection my wife was working and they had a couple minutes to chat. Sarah said " well hey, if this whole Governor thing doesn't work out, could I come flag for you?" now THAT, my fellow woodworkers, is Sarah Palin.