Those who are familiar with Sarah Palin know all too well that the very last thing you should do to her is underestimate her. It has been noted that throughout her career within the realm of Alaska state politics, Palin has left a long trail within her wake, consisting of those who have discounted her toughness and resolve.

Tonight we get our chance to see what Gov. Palin is made of, and I do not think she will disappoint the masses of conservatives that have been energized with her addition to the GOP ticket. Palin is a woman that seems to have the exact same makeup about her that many have seen in President Bush throughout his entire political career; the kind of traits that have led many to underestimate, dismiss, never see her coming... at their own peril.

Not only do I see Sarah Palin being fully capable of not only countering and answering her critics that have come out of some of the most puzzling places over the last couple of days, but I see her fully able to go on the offensive. Because there is, oh, so much to speak out about Wednesday evening!

I've been totally shocked at some of the criticisms that have been waged against her in such a short time that she's been introduced to America. We have seen everything from statements made that she has no business taking on such duties that would come from being vice-president while she has an infant son with special needs to the latest criticisms, now, about having a husband that had a traffic stop some 24 years ago.

Of course, there is the most disgusting of issues on the table, as well, regarding a very personal family matter that has no business being a part of the public debate this election year. Let it just be said, without offering too much attention to such a matter, that it is awfully interesting how much attention the media has now decided is worth merit when it comes to such a private, family issue involving a minor teenage child of a political candidate. We are witnessing a sea change in journalistic ethics this go around. And America is worse for it.

I have no doubts the biggest threat to the American Left is yet another strong, powerful woman being introduced to the nation with an (R) beside her name. This isn't about the 'Hillary Factor'. It is way bigger than that. This is about that "51% Minority" in America proving that the socialistic, nanny-state mentality that has been offered by the Democratic Party is not welcome - even by those who would possibly benefit the most, as calculated by their academia-driven theoretical models.

Sarah Palin is, incarnate, the ideological battle which is being waged for the heart and soul of today's female voter. And the mainstream media knows it. Liberal political figures who have made a career out of pushing far-left, gender-driven policy are now sweating bullets, considering today's political reality wherein only 1 out of 5 likely voters stated that they would not vote for a candidate who did not share their views on abortion; this according to a Time magazine poll that came out early last month. Even more troubling for Democrats is that 26% of Republicans see the abortion issue as critical to their voting choice to only 18% of Democrats. It is due to this sort of reality, along with countless additional dynamics present in this election, that it is evident just how threatened the opposition feels when the Republican Party offers the American voter such a "Talking the talk and walking the walk" embodiment of this new voting option for today's American woman.

So, tonight is her chance to wage an offensive, not to go on the defense, about her important candidacy. Appearing to come from a position where she simply defends herself, her candidacy, and her record of policy and accomplishment, she will seem to justify the onslaught of biased charges that have been waged against her. It is Sarah Palin's very own critics that need to be squarely in her sights and not the other way around!

For every criticism that comes her way that claims that she should be at home taking care of her son, she can retort "Where is the criticism regarding Joe Biden's decision to leave his young son, while in intensive care, after a tragic automobile accident at the beginning of his career as a Senator to serve in Washington?"

For every whisper about personal family matters within her home, Palin can ask of the media, "Why has Senator Obama's background - conceived by an unwed, teenage mother and a father who had a wife in Kenya - not been noted to any degree as an issue, and rightfully so, throughout the past two years of his candidacy?"

If the media wishes to push a 24-year-old traffic stop incident, involving her husband, Gov. Palin has the ability to counter, "Twenty-four years ago is the exact time frame within Sen. Obama's life, in which he states there was a lot of experimentation with drug use; where has the media investigations led regarding that period of Senator Obama's life?"

This is not a time for Palin to be passive or meek. This is a time to rally the great masses in our country that see exactly what is going on with the biased attacks against her. America loves a fighter. And we especially love a fighter when the necessity to strike back arises due to the bullying and pilling on by forces that, at first glance, seem much more powerful than the one attacked.

During his radio program this afternoon, Rush Limbaugh attributed a quote to Sarah Palin that needs to be on full display beginning tonight; Palin was quoted as saying, "Do you know the difference between a hockey mom and a pitbull? Lipstick!"

Well, Madame Governor... the time is now for you to put on that lipstick, strap on those heels... and that chinstrap!

***

More: Wizbang - Michelle Malkin - Power Line - Redstate - PoliPundit