[Ruth]

Hi Z.

I think a lot of what you say is right. The Republicans brought in Palin to pick up the voters that they thought Hillary would get if Obama had picked her. However, although she has the far right excited, she has not gained them as many votes as they had hoped, and it is now being widely acknowledged that Palin is a big liability for the McCain camp. Her popularity has dropped massively since the announcement that she was McCain's running mate. Personally I think this is because nobody really knew who she was beforehand (even McCain had only met her once)!, and they liked this tough talking, nice looking woman.

That was fine while she was spouting out the speeches which had been written for her, and looking pretty. However, now people are starting to hear what she herself thinks, and people are turning away from her. McCain is too centralist for a lot of the far right, which is part of the reason Palin was brought in. This is not a big problem for Obama, as the far right would not have voted for him anyway.

What people don't realise is that in the States where Bush won easily in 2004 (mostly the Southern States), McCain is perhaps leading by just a couple of points. The far right love Bush, but they are not keen on McCain.

The polls still show Obama as in the lead, and the betting companies (which are generally more reliable than the polls) also have Obama as the likely winner (how I hope they are right)!

I really cannot stand Palin. I can't stand McCain either, but while I think he is a nasty man who is not fit to run a country, I think she is evil. If I was McCain, I would be watching my back, because I think she would be very likely to stab him in it, if it would further her own career!

As much as I detest Palin - McCain picking her has done good things for the Democrats!