A reader writes:
It would be a big mistake to dismiss Palin's pop-cultural appeal. It's clear she was chosen solely to game the system, and the Republicans OWN that play. I'm sure they expect her to be a lure for the female (not feminist) vote, and they already have a lock on the over 60 white males.
In addition, I predict a bonus unintended consequence for McCain among middle class/educated/post-college/pre-adult white males. A demographic label that follows many into their late 30s and currently trends for Obama. Basically the gamers/Gen-Xers/Seth Rogen/Will Farrell crowd. The GOP has already rolled out video of Palin in snugly tailored fatigues, combat boots and tight t-shirt brandishing a weapon at a meet-n-greet with the Alaska National Guard in Kuwait. I'm sure they're scrambling to find more. "Sarah Palin as Lara Croft" will leave these guys drooling like zombies.
And if God really is Republican, then she's been photographed straddling the barrel of a tank cannon at least once in her life.
Note to McCain's staff: Forget the Vogue Photo shoot. Somebody needs to find her Rigid Tool Calendar pics, then you can put the union blue collar vote in your win column too.
In a close race, how many voters from how many groups can Obama afford to have peeled off and lobotomized by McCain, Rove et al? More than a few games have been won with Hail Mary passes.
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/08/sarah-palin-as.html