On the same topic, there’s a reason candidates often pick boring and/or already well known running mates: it’s always going to be difficult to control the image the country gets of someone in such a short time, and there’s no guarantee that initial image will be fair.
Your points are excellent, Arguendo. I would consider Palin “done-in” if this were 10 or 20 years ago. But, given that we now live in a world where news is made 24/7 and there is so much more to media than network news and papers—such as internet and cable/satellite TV. Things change on a dime. IF Palin wants to be involved in national politics in the future, and if she becomes as proficient in national and international issues as she is on energy issues (see her IBD interview 7/11/08—25 mins. long and she was outstanding), travels, does a few editorials, and then goes on a number of talk shoes and clearly articulates her positions and where she would like to lead this country, and I believe she can completely resurrect her image. Viewers will say, “wait, I thought she was stupid-—obviously she isn’t-—what did the media feed us in ‘08?” With her obvious charisma, she could pull in many new supporters.
Plus...remember, McCain/Palin received 58 million votes, 8 million fewer than the One/Biden. If those 58 million voters had problems with Palin, they wouldn’t have voted the ticket, so she starts out with a huge base.