Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin with a message written on her left hand, at a campaign rally for Texas Gov. Rick Perry in Cypress, Texas.

In this Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010 photo, former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin addresses attendees at the National Tea Party Convention in Nashville. On her hand are seen some handwritten notes. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin with a message written on her left hand, at a campaign rally for Texas Gov. Rick Perry in Cypress, Texas.

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin with a message written on her left hand, at a campaign rally for Texas Gov. Rick Perry in Cypress, Texas.

US Republican superstar Sarah Palin has become the subject of widespread scorn in the US after being seen referring to notes scribbled on her hand during a major speech.

Video footage showed Mrs Palin — who frequently criticises President Obama’s use of the teleprompter — glancing down at the palm of her left hand on which the words “energy”, “budget cuts”, “tax” and “lift American spirits” had been written in ink .

The former governor of Alaska was pictured during a Q & A session at the grassroots Tea Party. Mrs Palin was ex-Republican vice-presidential candidate in 2008 and has maintained a high profile ever since.

Mrs Palin's detractors have ridiculed the crib notes -- already being called the "Hillbilly Palm Pilot" -- noting that basic conservative principles are something she should surely know like the back of her hand.

Minutes before she used the notes she had castigated President Obama in a prepared speech as a "charismatic guy with a teleprompter". As John McCain's running-mate in 2008, Mrs Palin struggled in interviews when asked about current events and world affairs -- a lack of knowledge that hurt the Republican ticket.

Belfast Telegraph