What is it that Palin does not understand?

The cocky kook, Sarah Palin, wants to be treated with respect. She will be so treated when she acts in a manner that deserves respect. After her Katie Couric interview she "has accused Mrs Couric of not asking the right questions - those that
would give her an opportunity to attack the Democratic presidential
candidate Barack Obama."

Palin and McCain are trying to get a job. Their interviews with the press are public job interviews. I have interviewed many candidates for jobs over the course of my career. Not once has anyone felt that the appropriate way to get a job was to talk about how bad the other candidates are. It is generally understood that to get a job one has to demonstrate to the prospective employer (in this case, the American public) that you are the most able candidate.

They do not seem to understand what the job is. The job is not, as they appear to believe:

• To "shake up" Washington - a task that McCain has already proven that he cannot do after many years trying
  
• To cut "earmarks" which are basically irrelevant in the grand scheme of things
• To win the war in Iraq - which is unwinnable under any reasonable definition of "win"
• To be unblinking

According to the Constitution, the task of the President is to exercise executive power - i.e. to:

• Be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United
  States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual
  Service of the United States
• Make Treaties by and with the Advice and
  Consent of the Senate
• Appoint Ambassadors,
  other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other
  Officers of the United States
  by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate
• Give to the Congress Information of the State of
  the Union
• Recommend to the Consideration of Congress such Measures as he shall judge
  necessary and expedient
• On extraordinary Occasions, convene either or both
  Houses
• Receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers
• Take
  Care that the Laws be faithfully executed
• Commission all the
  Officers of the United States

The job of the Vice-President is:

• To be President of the Senate,
  but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided
• To check the morning obituaries to see if the President is still alive and functioning, and, if not, act as President

The nature and scope of the duties are such that no candidate can ever be expected to have significant relevant experience in more than one of the duties specified by the Congress. In this election the only task in which any of the candidates can claim relevant experience is recommending measures for consideration.
Thus, in course of the job interview with the American public (aka the Campaign), the candidates' task is to convince the public that they (the candidates) have the moral fibre and administrative acumen to establish an administration that will best meet the needs of the public.
Palin will get respect when she begins to treat the American public with respect by getting on with her job interview.
Given the age of McCain, she must show evidence that she can reasonably be expected to capably perform the duties of the President at some time in the future. Her performance to date shows no such indication.