Ruben Navarrette Jr. is a nationally syndicated columnist and a member of the editorial board of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Read his column here

Ruben Navarrette says Sarah Palin's critics challenged her because of prejudices about small-town values.

SAN DIEGO, California (CNN) -- During the presidential election, some Democrats demanded to know how I could defend Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

Simply put, Palin is my people. She's small-town folk who wound up in the big leagues.

Because I grew up in a small town with a population of less than 15,000 people, I was disgusted by the insults and condescension coming from those who think of themselves as the enlightened elite. Meanwhile, in small towns, I detected great affection for Palin. People talked about how she was "a real person" who "reflected their values."

The most significant divide in America isn't Red State vs. Blue State, it's rural vs. urban. The country mouse and the city mouse are still slugging it out.

In 1982, New York Mayor Ed Koch ran unsuccessfully for governor of New York. Some say the deciding factor was when Koch described life in upstate New York as "sterile" and said he dreaded living in the "small town" of Albany, if elected. That didn't play well in rural areas.

Now comes Colin Powell. During a recent appearance on CNN's "Fareed Zakaria GPS," Powell attempted an autopsy on the Republican Party's failed presidential bid. He went after Palin, accusing her of pushing the party so far to the right that it went over a cliff. What are the answers to this following set of questions: 1. Who is Ruben Navarrette Jr?
2. What does Ruben Navarrette say about Sarah?
3. How big is the population of the town?
4. How do they feel about Sarah Palin?
5. What is the most significant divide in America?
6. Who is Ed Koch?
7. Which year did he run for Mayor?
8. What was the deciding factor when Ed Koch ran unsuccessfully for governor of New York?
Answer: 1. A columnist and San Diego Union-Tribune board member.
2. Her critics challenged her because of prejudices about small-town values.
3. Less than 15,000 people,
4. Affectionate.
5. Rural vs. urban.
6. New York Mayor.
7. 1982.
8. When Koch described life in upstate New York as "sterile" and said he dreaded living in the "small town" of Alban

(CNN) -- Champagne, Pele and FIFA. It sounds just like another soiree for those who run international football.

Yet it's fundamentally different this time for the Champagne in question is a certain Jerome, the 55-year-old who launched his campaign to dethrone FIFA president Sepp Blatter on Monday.

Once one of Blatter's closest allies following his work as FIFA's deputy Secretary General between 2002 and 2005, the former diplomat is now eying the top job itself ahead of the presidential elections in June 2015.

He is the first candidate to throw his hat into the ring, although both Blatter and UEFA president Michel Platini are also expected to stand -- albeit without declaring their intentions yet.

Adding sparkle and fizz to the opening of Champagne's campaign was the backing of former Brazil star Pele.

"I cannot stay away from a debate which is so important for the future of football and thus, I support Jerome Champagne and his vision," the 73-year-old said in a video message.

Pele said that the pair became friends when he was Brazil's Minister of Sport and Champagne was working at the French Embassy in Brazil.

However, Champagne -- who worked at FIFA for 11 years before leaving football's world governing body in 2010 -- chose London and the site where the English FA, the planet's oldest, was founded in 1863 to launch his bid.

Image Problem

In a wide-ranging reform program, the Frenchman outlined his support for greater use of technology in football, a desire to see orange cards and the use of a sinbin to be used between a yellow and red card while also calling for more transparency in the running of FIFA. What are the answers to this following set of questions: 1. who is supporting Champagne?
2. who is Pele?
3. How long has Champagne worked for FIFA?
4. When did he leave?
5. where is he from?
6. was Blatter in FIFA?
7. What position?
8. when was this?
9. who is UEFA president?
10. how old is Pele?
11. who was Brazil's Minister of sports?
12. why can't he stay away from the debate?
13. who does Champagne want to take over from?
14. is Sepp going to stand?
15. has he said he will?
16. How old is Jerome?
17. what was Champagne doing when he met Pele?
18. where?
19. did Pele talk about his support on phone?
20. then?
Answer: 1. Pele
2. former Brazil star
3. 11 years
4. 2010
5. France
6. Yes
7. deputy Secretary General
8. between 2002 and 2005
9. Michel Platini
10. 73
11. Pele
12. it is important for the future of football
13. Sepp Blatter
14. Yes
15. No
16. 55
17. he was working at the French Embassy
18. in Brazil
19. no
20. in a video message

CHAPTER XI

THE ELECTION FOR OFFICERS

"Company attention! Shoulder arms! Forward march!"

Boom! Boom! Boom, boom, boom!

The drums rang out clearly on the morning air and the Colby Hall battalion swung into line on a march that carried it around the school buildings and then to the lake shore. Here Colonel Colby and Captain Dale inspected the three companies. Then the retiring major, Ralph Mason, was called on for a little speech which brought forth many cheers, and after this the command was dismissed.

It was the day for the election, and there was to be no school session until the afternoon.

At the last election there had been a total of 111 votes cast. But now there were one hundred and twenty-five cadets at the institution. There had been some talk of organizing a new command to be known as Company D, but so far this had not materialized.

As was the custom, the election was held in the main hall of the school and was presided over by Captain Dale and Professor Brice.

"I see they expect a hundred and twenty-five votes," remarked Randy. "That means sixty-three will be necessary to a choice."

"Well, I'm sure Jack will get at least forty on the first vote," returned his brother.

"I hope he gets the whole sixty-three," put in Dan Soppinger. Dan had once run for a captaincy, but had dropped out and turned most of his attention to athletics.

As at other elections, it was decided by Colonel Colby that each officer should be voted for separately. What are the answers to this following set of questions: 1. what time of the day did the drums ring?
2. was the march just around that area?
3. then to where?
4. who was marching?
5. how many people inspected them?
6. what are their names?
7. how many did they inspect?
8. who was retiring?
9. what was his rank?
10. was there shool that morning?
11. why?
12. how many votes were put in the previous year?
13. how many would they have this year?
14. where was the voting held?
15. of?
16. how many people oversee it?
17. how many votes do they think Jack will get?
18. but what is Dan hoping for?
19. what did Dan prefer doing over captaincy?
20. who decided that each person should be voted for on their own?
Answer:
1. morning
2. no
3. the lake shore
4. Colby Hall battalion
5. Two
6. Colonel Colby and Captain Dale
7. three companies
8. Ralph Mason
9. major
10. no
11. election day
12. 111
13. 125
14. in the main hall
15. of the school
16. Two
17. 40
18. 63
19. athletics
20. Colonel Colby