Conservative icon Richard Viguerie says it's not Sarah Palin's gender or her fresh face that has catapulted her to the top of the political arena. It's her principles, Viguerie argues.

Republicans who think they can ride Palin's popularity to victory on Election Day without standing for the same principles are in for a rude awakening, Viguerie says.

Palin is "popular because she holds to the core beliefs of the coalition that elected Ronald Reagan in two landslides -- on taxes, spending, the role of government, and traditional ideas of right and wrong," Viguerie argues.

Read the full commentary by Viguerie, "It's Sarah Palin's principles, stupid!" at ConservativeHQ.com