Democratic women from Oprah to the average voter are treating Sarah Palin as a pariah. Instead of welcoming the fact that the glass ceiling in the White House could potentially be smashed in two months, they have set on Palin like a pack of rabid dogs. And that’s a shame and Palin’s opportunity.

Their anger is misplaced. Palin is not the reason that Hillary Clinton is not the Democratic VP candidate. Barack Obama is. Palin is not the reason that a Democratic Presidential ‘golden ticket’ slam dunk was passed up. Obama is. Palin is not the reason that the party that should have had – had it in their grasp in fact - the first female Vice President in U.S. history missed it’s unique opportunity; Obama is.

Palin would not be where she is today had Clinton been nominated. Obama’s passing up of the dream ticket is the Republican’s near miraculous opportunity. And wow did they make the most of it? Palin’s appointment and popularity is much to the media’s and some vocal Democratic females chagrin. That includes Barbara Streisand who criticized Palin’s lack of foreign policy experience. Compared to what one has to wonder, Obama’s? Please.

Palin’s appointment blindsided the Democrats; caught them completely off guard. And in response they have set upon Palin as the anti-Christ. However the negative attention has done more to boost the Republican’s chances of winning the White House than any amount of ad campaigns could have. Fact is, Palin’s popular. And the harder they berate her, the more support she receives. Palin is everywoman.

A friend wrote to me last week fuming that Palin is ‘against abortion.’ My response; so what? Is that default issue the qualifier again? Palin’s opinion is irrelevant. And her opinion is something she’s entitled to as a woman and as an American; a very poor reason to dismiss her as a VP. And in coming to that opinion she exercises another American value; her right to make that choice.

There are no perfect candidates, although Hillary was close; very close. A female candidate brings with her energy and a new way of thinking, something that has not been seen in DC since Ferraro ran for office in 1984.

Despite our role as the world leader, we share something in common with Muslim countries; we’ve never had an elected female occupant of the White House. And now that we do have that chance, some have decided that she doesn’t measure up before they have got a chance to know her. Which brings us to the definition of ignorance: coming to a conclusion prior to investigation.

The black vote will rally behind Obama because he’s part black. Being female doesn’t work the same way as female voters are discerning and a tad more cynical than their male counterparts.

The double standard in comparing Palin and Biden is nauseating. We hear no mention of Biden’s ability to take care of his family and have a White House career. We have heard little of the maniacal attack dog tactics exploring his past. We have seen no deliberately unflattering photos in the press. And Oprah – who should hang her head in shame – has not refused to interview him. Does Oprah’s stance reflect fear perhaps?

As a woman Palin’s achieved what few other women have; a political career and a family. Her good looks rankle some as well – quite a few actually; that their husbands get a twinkle in their eye when she comes on TV has upset many a female voter. She’s even got a nickname as a maternal Governor that I won’t mention here but believe me when I say it’s the ultimate male compliment.

Palin deserves a chance to prove herself. One has to wonder if the bashing she receives won’t bring out the fence sitter voters in her favor. Popularity is a strange beast as it derives energy from the negative as well as the positive. Of course, Palin doesn’t have to be liked by all. Not everyone liked Margaret Thatcher – the 'Iron lady' - either and she lasted as British Prime Minister for 11 years. Obama’s folly could leave Palin in the White House for 16.