Iron said:
America is one of the most polarized countries on earth. Independents dont matter like they do here. President Bush's campaign found this out in 2000, where a mild, centerist platform appealing to moderates lost the popular vote by about half a mill. 2004 was a totally different strategy from both parties - the aim was to fire up those who are already on your side to get out and vote.
So hang the moderates. In America, everybody has an opinion and they love to talk about it. That is why Palin is so important; she is there to convince the right-leaning majority that the ticket is 'change', in touch/pragmatic, and able to articulate how Obama embodies every liberal thing they hate. Like every good VP, she's a pitbull stirring up hatred and fear, while McCain offers reassurance and strength. 5 weeks out, it's still anyone's race because people are far more motivated by hate than love.
It is beautiful. None of the mealy-mouthed, spineless drizzle we're subjected to.
No silly, Palin is what we in Australia call Mark Latham. A conviction politician, circuit breaker, inject life into a drab contest, rattle the bars of the cage, make a splash, turn over some tables, leave the opposition running for cover as they don't know what's going to happen yet, push to the side those nay saying pansies who clearly are just holding back the parties potential. John Hewson was another one, as was Adlai Stevenson.
They attract votes without any real consideration as to how they repel them, To be honest Obama is not a whole lot better as a choice, his black, his oratorical in his speeches, he's against the Iraq war, he's young, he does the boogie with Elen Degeneres. But for all the people who decide to turn out to the rallies and so forth that make them oh so popular these glossy folk end finishing last.
Ultimately moderate voters value safety over anything. And despite Palin mobilising the republican base so greatly she has blown out the huge amount of moderates whom McCain had a monopoly on. Six months ago I reckon McCain could have won in excess of thirty five states, now if he gets it he'll trip over the line. Trust me absence of negatives trumps presence of positives in politics. Even in America.