What exactly did Sarah Palin do to earn national attention and a following?

As a national candidate she proved herself to be uninformed. She lost the election.

She quit her job as Governor of Alaska, not finishing her term of office.

She has attached herself to the Tea Party and endorsed candidates that she really does not know.

She should go the way of the Balloon Boy, OctoMom, and many more who have their five minutes of fame.