I don't think it helped Palin that the media went after her family as well, but she didn't call them out for it like she should've. She didn't come off as a dumb lady at all, and she was wiling to make self-depreciating jokes, but she just was not prepared for anything, and she couldn't stand out, especially with McCain at the helm.
It's grossly hypocritical how much the left calls for strong, female leaders, but then they go after and beat down women politicians just because they have the "R" next to their name. Still, history I think will look back on Palin with pity alongside with fascination since her being a wild card was what split the Republican party, and the Tea Party came to be in the wake of Obama's inauguration.