I always thought Joe Sixpack meant the all-american guy who watches Sunday football, works hard, grills some steaks, and enjoys his beer. I don't think it was derogatory at all, really. And Palin is not my favorite, either, so my opinion is not really in defense of her. I don't think it is any more or less offensive than Obama constantly referring to the middle class as "folks". "Folks need a break on taxes". The guy went to Harvard and elite private schools and it seems trite, I doubt he ever used the word "folks" until he was running for office.