Well, Palin helped Johnny over the finish line, foolishly.
As for Graham, it’s VERY simple. His opponents were too weak to beat him, PERIOD. You can’t beat something with nothing.
The main challenger was a controversial State Senator (who would have had no chance in a runoff anyway) and the others were a failed Congressional candidate and a collection of non-entities. Against a seasoned campaigner with a huge warchest and the entire party establishment in his corner, that is just plain not good enough.
This result was as expected as the sun rising this morning so I hope no one is unduly disappointed.
‘Well, Palin helped Johnny over the finish line, foolishly.’
I think you have your history wrong - she wasn’t picked as a VP candidate till after he was given the nomination by everyone else withdrawling after primaries in March. She wasn’t announced as I recall till late summer maybe ... August.