I don't recall it having to do near so much with Palin, although they did give her the "she's awful, stupid, unhinged, AND Hitler" tag they have tried to lay on Trump.
No, I think McCain dug his own grave by not hanging the monetary crisis around the dems neck (he was incapable), his foolish suspension of his campaign, falling off a stage, and generally being a bad candidate who stood for nothing.....oh wait, he was a maverick who reached across the aisle, or something.....
McCain was simply awful, and couldn't face down the light worker, didn't even seem to try. Not sure who was the worse candidate, he or Mitt.
Juan McCain knew he was the designated loser to the anointed one.
He hated Sarah because she wanted to fight and win.