I was a staunch Anti-McCain guy, and the night before the Palin pick I was on here arguing against Old John with fellow freepers. I knew Palin was the real deal the minute I saw her, and commend McCain for the wisdom of this choice.
The fact that the press is so rabid and unhinged shows her effectiveness and danger to them. Quayle was a darn fine senator and a decent vice president, and they hammered him into dust before he had a chance to become known. That's what this is about, to insure that even if elected, she'll be so cowed and gun shy and wounded, that she can't fight their elitist cabal.
Palin's popularity with the general public, as opposed to Republicans, is clearly on the wane. There was such an explosion of interest, arguing, fighting and defending that we're all kind of sick of her as a celeb figure now (I'm not talking about her as a politician, merely as A New Face). And I don't know how any honest person can claim she performed spectacularly on Charlie Gibson's little show, no thanks to Charlie himself.
So it's down to McCain, as it always was going to be. I happen to think he has the ability to stop Obama, though the podium-style debate isn't his strong suit. This election is going to be very close, and anyone who's feeling secure right now about who the winner will be in November is ignorant.