And it's much more subtle than The Onion.
Buckley on "liberal condescension"? I'll give him that Buckley knew condescension. And condescension is a step up for Palin. You are right. That article, choosing as it did Buckley and Palin to make the points, has to be parody.
It's context. Mad Magazine ran Alfred E. Neuman for President. It was funny, cute. He got votes.
However, if John McCain in his dotage chose Alfred E. Neuman as his VP running mate, it would be a different story.
Sort of like GHWB running with Reagan. That wasn't funny.
Condescension is better than they deserve.
Arf