I did the same thing. I watched the whole RNC, hadn't even made a decision on Palin; just watched her carefully the first couple of weeks and researched the info on Alaska before and during her political career. I at least came to my own conclusions.
That woman is so ignorant, she reminds me of the downward spiral of intellectual ability of my students over the last 30 years. Children who had too much given to them too soon. They were sat in front of a television set by their sitters (mom was at work, or too busy to be bothered) to occupy them; which is why they have never developed the habit of reading for pleasure or the courtesy of students years ago--the television continues to talk while they do, so they accept that dual conversation as a part of life.