The biggest thing Palin brings to the ticket is killing the notion that McCain is a "business as usual" candidate. This bold choice of a woman adds to the impression that McCain is an independent thinker and not just another four years of Bush.

She also balances the ticket both in age and ideology.

She also attracts a lot of independent women voters. She may even get votes from those who will vote for any woman and attract some frustrated Hilary supporters who are PUMAs (Party Unity My Ass).

Downsides is that most people say "who"? You already see Dems attacking her lack of experience, which is ironic given Obama. Some say it will weaken McCain's ability to attack Obama's lack of experience, but I don't think so.

Probably her biggest negative is that she delivers a state with only 3 electoral votes that was probably going to vote red anyway.

I will say this, the response of some Obama supporters on various boards I read reek of fear and pettiness. Some seem to actually resent that she has a special needs child. That kind of stuff is hard to believe, but I've seen it. They act like she had it on purpose in order to make it harder to attack her.

And suddenly the Obama supporters thinks experience is important. Fun to watch that to.

"Hearts will never be practical until they can be made unbreakable." --The Wizard of Oz

She can see Russia from her front porch; an arranged marriage before the election between her daughter; you betcha; Party of Family Values.

Sorry, I couldn't help myself. JMO.

Brinkzs.