Palin's performance in the vice presidential debates may appeal to more conservative voters because of her "hockey mom" approach and being a proud mother of a large family among several other bragging points. However, as a moderate nonpartisan, I would have to say that I believe Senator Biden won the debate. McCain and his campaign staff definitely could have and should have chosen someone more qualified than Governor Palin.
Yes, hearing her talk during the debate bothered me a lot too, but I am sure that other voters in more rural areas of the country may like her. Most of the usual red states of the Midwest and "middle America" that are likely already set on voting for McCain are probably pleased with her performance. Yet McCain is likely already counting on electoral votes from states like Wyoming, North Dakota and Montana that are more rural and conservative. His ticket could end up winning a swing state like Nevada, for what few electoral votes it has, but I don't see victory for McCain in sight unless some highly unprecedented disaster occurs in the upcoming presidential debates between himself and Obama.
Sarah Palin was a poor choice of a running mate for the Republican ticket. Personally, I wish McCain could have chosen another moderate like Senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska. Hagel is a Vietnam veteran and a very accomplished businessman that is only in his second term in the Senate. He is also an accredited author of the book "America: Our Next Chapter: Tough Questions, Straight Answers." This quote is from an amazon.com product description of his book:
In America: Our Next Chapter, Hagel speaks the truth as he sees it—in a direct and refreshingly unvarnished manner. Basing his suggestions on thorough research and careful thought, as well as on personal insight from his years as a political insider, successful businessman, and decorated war hero, he discusses domestic issues—including the health care crisis, immigration, and Social Security and Medicare reform—and global climate change. He confronts foreign policy problems that the current administration has bungled or ignored, including China's growing economy; control of U.S. debt; India's and Pakistan's nuclear capabilities; and Iran's aggressive political, ideological, and nuclear stances. He decries the pervasive disease of third world poverty, arguing convincingly that this is where the real fight against terrorism must begin. Always true to the beliefs instilled in his childhood on the prairie, he speaks passionately about service—to one's country and to one's fellow citizens—as the path toward a renewed America. And, of course, he gives a candid examination of the debacle that is the Iraq War.
Hagel is even more accomplished than Palin and doesn't need the stupid maverick tag to prove it. He has legitimate foreign policy experience for God's sake! Unfortunately though, Hagel announced about a year ago that he will retire from the Senate at the end of this current term and he would not seek the presidency. Maybe he was asked to be McCain's running mate and he declined. Or maybe he is moving on to do bigger and better things outside of politics being that he already is a successful millionaire. Maybe this guy is the Al Gore of the Republican party... maybe not.
My point is that McCain definitely had far better options of running mates to choose from than Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin; who seems to have been chosen as a last-ditch effort to win the presidency and appeal to more conservative and maybe a few moderate voters. I had thought just a couple of months ago that McCain would likely win the presidency because he is a moderate Republican and Obama, who is quite liberal, would not appeal so much to the average moderate undecided voter. With Palin, that does not seem to be the case anymore. Her embarrassing interviews with Katie Couric and her mediocre, well-scripted debate performance have thankfully swayed the public opinion polls in Obama's favor. Choosing Palin as a running mate has proven to be a poor decision for McCain's chances of winning office and will likely haunt the Republican party for future elections to come.