5 Reasons Why You Loved Sarah Palin on ‘Oprah’

So two genteel ladies had a sit-down. And everyone tuned in and then offered their own two shillings on the matter. The pair bantered about what it was like to be women in a man's world, coming thisclose to performing a spirited duet of "It's A Man's World". Mostly, as Sarah Palin's Going Rogue book tour stormed into Harpo Studios yesterday, we couldn't help but wonder what secrets Palin was hiding in that big hair of hers. Was she hiding a razor blade for self-defense, in case she found herself on the South Side? Did she have a secret blueprint on how to fix the economy -- the type she'd offer up to the country only if we offered her the Oval Office in exchange? Maybe Sarah Palin had insidery knowledge about what Levi's Johnston looks like behind that perilous fig leaf. In any case, one shameful, abhorrent truth was certain: That you couldn't help but feel for Palin. Whether she demystified the hot-messery of the 2008 Republican campaign or laid bare Palin family secrets. Her Oprah drop-by was a lot like one of Mo'Nique's monologues in Precious: That a-ha! moment when the crazy in her eye sparkles its brightest. A list of reasons why you probably admired the gay icon after the break.

● You admired her decision to play Gaia, Earth Mother to living things. On the talk show, Palin enthusiastically stepped into her role as stern parent. Not only in demonstrating how much she was concerned for Baby Tripp’s well-being (the phrase “most beautiful baby” was employed at least three times in as many minutes), but also for the fate of Bristol and Levi’s relationship. She also found Levi’s current walk on the slimy side of the biz to be heartbreaking, adding that he’s a stupid teenager. So his decision to be photographed with Tinsley Mortimer may be a decision he regrets later on in life. Plus, this extra characterizes her in a way that many of us have been reluctant to consider.

● You admired her bald-faced sincerity. As scripted as Palin is—and disastrous as she is without any script—you admired what appeared to be honesty spouting from the former Queen of Alaska. I mean you can hear the exact moment when your heart falls out of your chest and breaks on the floor as Palin attempts to rectify her hilarious Katie Couric gaffe.

● You admired her Jane Fonda-inspired nod to female empowerment. One point she raised that, in a rare non-Palinian feat of logic, hit the nail on the head, was when she was talking about political couture and drew this blunt bottom-line: that women have it tougher than men. As in men can re-use day-old suits, while women have to constantly refresh their wardrobe, but at the same time, refrain from appearing “too feminine.” About the pressures of exacting hair, make-up, and outfits, Palin even said, “It gave me a lot of appreciation for what Hilary Clinton probably had gone through too. With her candidacy, she had to work hard.” Further epiphanies: That Palin’s stance on abortion appeared vaguely comparable to Obama’s stance on gay marriage; she was opposed to it for what seemed to be politically motivated reasons.

● You admired her eloquence. Most simply, you had very basic expectations for her. And when Palin could appear to present arguments, lines of thought, even segues, without mangling the English language, your heart swelled with pride.

● You respected her brave decision to quit when the going got tough and she got bored. Just as it swelled with pride when Palin’s reasoning for her stepping down as Alaska governor basically amounted to disinterest in politics, especially when she had more capital available to her as a public spectacle. She also says something about members of the Obama camp setting up shop and sending through their Freedom of Information Act requests, which sounds just an excuse for Palin to do what she wanted all along.