Former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin returned Friday to her erstwhile job of Alaska Governor and talked for the first time since the election Tuesday, addressing recent criticism.

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin did not fade into oblivion as Barack Obama was elected President of the United States on Nov. 4, au contraire, she received even more attention as former John McCain aides spoke anonymously about her shortcomings, alleged gaffes during campaigning and the now-notorious wardrobe extravaganza.

The former aides told media outlets that Palin was once confused on the difference between Africa and South Africa, not knowing that the former was a continent, not a country. Another report had her not knowing the members of the North American Free Trade Agreement - the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Palin told reporters gathered Friday in her office lobby it was unfair for her to defend herself against accusers that remained unidentified and called their anonymity “cowardly.” She called her detractors “jerks” who acted “unprofessionally” making “cruel” and “mean-spirited” comments. The governor added this was the time to rejoice in Barack Obama’s historic election instead of discussing her “shoes and belts and skirts.”

Another story coming from McCain’s former campaign staffers was that Republican lawyers would travel to Palin’s home in order to retrieve some of the clothes the Republican National Committee had reportedly spent more than $150,000 on. She called this rumor ridiculous and said those were the RNC’s clothes, not her own, and that she had never asked anyone to buy her anything except maybe a Diet Dr Pepper every once in a while.

This was the first time Palin had returned to her office since being nominated vice presidential candidate on Aug. 29.

Earlier Friday, one senior McCain campaign aide defended Sarah Palin on NBC’s “Today” show. Nicolle Wallace called the Alaska governor one of the most “un-diva” politicians she had ever seen.