What are the pros and cons of Palin?
Pros: Young and dynamic; compelling personal story; attractive to evangelical Christian voters and potentially to women voters. (Immediately after selecting Palin, McCain received a 53% to 37% lead among white women voters. But as of Sept. 24, the lead had swung back to Obama, 48% to 42%, about the same as voters in general.) Cons: Several ongoing scandals (especially Troopergate) and cover-ups of scandals. More importantly, the perception that she is just not a viable candidate. (51% thought she was unqualified in a September 27-29 Pew poll, 60% in a Washington Post/ABC poll the same dates, and 75% in a NY Times/CBS poll though she was picked to win the election, not because she was qualified.) Ignore the partisan liberal detractors; what they say is just noise.
