“They were talking about the Presidential race. VP race is different. ;-)”
Palin, unless she steps in it in a way uncharacteristic of her past performance, is going to be the 45th President of the United States. Either she (a) becomes McCain’s VP and replaces him in 2012 or 2016, or (b) runs against and beats Barry O in 2012.
Likely would not have happened if McCain had not picked her as his VP. She’s the big winner, regardless of what happens in November.
And btw, I believe Option (a) is much more likely than (b).
Presuming McCain is elected, I’m not expecting him to complete his term (the job is hard enough, ostensibly about the most stressful executive position on earth, for a man in their 50s, let alone 60s, and take a look how it aged both Bubba and Dubya — they look like they aged 20 years in less than 8. I expect the resulting strain will probably kill McCain or at least potentially force him to retire, and who already looks about 80 years old and is older now than his father was when he died of natural causes). If he makes it to Jan 20, 2011 and resigns, then-VP Palin could be in a position to serve (as per the Constitution) for the next 10 years.