Not completely true. She was Governor of Alaska and doing quite well before the VP nomination.
I understand that is not the same as being the governor of a real state[like Arc-in-saw] or Georgia, but she did tackle the main players in Alaska-the oil company's who have owned this state since the 50's.
I think the left hates her because she is everything they are not-someone who knows meat is not manufactured in the restaurant, can do all the things the limousine liberals find incomprehensible-I doubt if your average elected Democrat could wipe their butt without a cell phone and a credit card.