The life and times of Sarah Palin -- updated [Bryan]

Like many people, I've been fascinated by the candidacy of Governor Sarah Palin. Here is what I've found most interesting lately. Go check out the videos of Palin's gubernatorial debates a few years ago (here, for example, and here). Notice that there is hardly any of that "folksy" sort of persona we've seen so much of lately. No winks, no "you betchas," no "doggone its," and so forth. When did Palin decide she had to be Mrs. Diner Waitress? And why did she think this act would appeal to people? Do we really want a VP who winks during debates? Now, granted, President Bush acted folksy, and it seemed to work for him -- but this is a caricature of folksy.

Update: I guess what I'm trying to say is this: People say Palin is "authentic" and "real," but to me the opposite seems to be the case. From the "maverick" talk to the "bridge to nowhere," she seems like a big act. Ironically, the only real moment of authenticity in the Thursday debate for me came from Joe Biden as he spoke about losing his wife and being a single dad.