10 million Palin supporters stayed home because they don’t like McCain?
That is pure fantasy.
Palin supporters all jumped at the opportunity to vote for their girl.
They weren’t going to let some fuddy old man come between them and Sarah.
After all, once they got Sarah in as VP, she would almost certainly be finishing McCain’s term as president, and running for reelection on the top of the ticket in 2012.
Not all Palin supporters are as passionate as you’d think. They could easily “like” - not “super double like”, but “like” - Palin, but hate McCain. The fact that Palin was VP and not POTUS could easily cause them to embrace their McCain hating side. Since both you and I are both pulling figures out of our butts, let’s say that 6 mil stayed home, and 2 mil voted for Obama. Or 4 mil stayed home and 3 mil for Obama.
There was a lot of passion for Palin on FR, as well as all around the country, but there are always less politically active voters, who weren’t quite as passionate.
Another interesting thing to consider is the notion of Firsts. Either Palin or Obama would give you a first.
The people went for the bigger first. 1st black Pres is bigger than 1st woman VP. But, in 2012, 1st woman Pres is bigger than 1st black Pres reelected.