Respectfully, to be an effective campaigner means that you have to be able to articulate ideas and philosophies and policy positions in a compelling manner. Now, she speaks in a way that is welcomed by people who already agree with her, but she has yet to demonstrate any ability to convince people that aren't already inclined to her politics to move in her direction - at least not in any measurable numbers.
As for her improving, I wish that I saw some some improvement. That "speech" she gave on July 3, was amateurish at best. It was very poorly written and rambled, sometimes haplessly. Her delivery wasn't much better when, at moments, she breathlessly raced ahead of her emphasis points and appeared to be making it up as she went along - although we know now that wasn't the case.
Palin does have something, as others are so eager to point out. But, that "something" has to be met with an earnest effort to hone, deepen and improve her abilities to answer detailed, complicated and probative questions on her policy positions. She also has to demonstrate that she'll surround herself with the best political pros available, and be willing to take their advice. That's what I'll be looking for moving forward. Without significantly improved communication skills, policy awareness and media management, she's done - at least for the foreseeable future - as a national political hopeful.
“She also has to demonstrate that she’ll surround herself with the best political pros available, and be willing to take their advice.”
I agree, and I really think she can “do this”. The biggest evidence I have that she has a successful future in politics is the “full court press” underway to take her off the map. I’m not worried about her communication skills, she’ll get better. And W? She is already more articulate than he was....maybe not on his good days but the rest of the time and during his two campaigns.