C.H.
Hi C., I'm going to attempt to answer this question, and I already know that I'm going to get slammed by the liberals in the audience.
I am a mature lady. Very knowledgeable about people and politics. Delegate to the RNC. Former NY liberal. Among the first generation of burn-your-bra feminists. So here goes: liberals believe in promoting women, as long as she's the "right kind of woman". They talk about women having choices, but it's rhetoric. They are extremely hostile to choices that they themselves would never opt for: Christianity, protecting babies from abortion, and keeping Downs pregnancies. (Oooh, they hate me right now for even saying this.) Sarah Palin, therefore, represents "the wrong kind of woman".
And here's the thing -- they will never directly say this stuff, so you can't have a debate with them. But I lived that lifestyle when I was young, and I completely understand them. They will say that it's about the war or economy or oil -- they won't even mention babies & religion in their anger, because they're protecting themselves. They are too embarassed to say that they hate religion and think that she should have had an abortion, so you can't even debate it.
I love you for questioning these things -- this is how we grow. I am willing to put up with the coming insults, because debate is more worthy than naivete. God bless you!