In a year of ups and downs in politics and the media, here is the ultimate irony:

Sarah Palin has been hailed in many circles as a trailblazer, the first Republican female to be nominated for vice president.

Katie Couric has been hailed in many circles as a trailblazer, the first female solo anchor of a major network newscast.

Palin was generally riding high for about a month, her future bright. A giant leap for women was about to be crossed.

Couric has been mired in last place in the ratings, her "perky" personna seen by many Americans as not serious enough for the position she holds. A giant setback for women broadcasters was occurring.

So who winds up conducting an interview with Sarah Palin in which the candidate did so poorly as do be widely lampooned, hurting Palin's cause - and, by extension, female politicians?

Katie Couric, of course, whose journalistic chops earned a boost - which, by extension, helped female broadcasters.