I saw two large African American ladies in the rest top in NC looking over Palin's resignation news. One of them said "But she could see Russia from her house..." and slapped her knee in bewildered laughter. That's exactly a problem.

Exactly? You do think those ladies would vote Mac if there was no Palin, don't you?

Oleg, don't be naive Palin was brought in in order to energize the religious base of the party. McCain was way too centrist in order to get uber-conservatives to make a trip to the voting booths.
They (McCains people) miscalculated a bit.. I mean if you watch even a VERY soft Couric interview she showed herself to be uhm.. not highly intelligent.
A lot of moderate republicans/independent were turned off by her..

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Человек, который почувствовал ветер перемен, должен построить не щит от ветра, а ветряную мельницу

McCain is a social/religious conservative himself with 100% record on all social positions..he's been somewhat moderate or moved to the left since 2000 on some issues (environment, finance reform - which he became a victim of himself- was against Bush's tax cuts on the grounds of not cutting spendings at the same time, etc.).
Palin did energize the base because she's been a solid conservative on all issues...Couric interview :-) - she didn't answer what publications she reads :-) she said it was kinda insulting to be asked this kind of questions, assuming they don't read the same press in Alaska...no one can ever point out what she ever did stupid as a governor, only to that interview...giving a good interview doesn't mean the person is intelligent..Obama and Biden have had much more gaffe, and have been given a pass...this is the double standard republicans have to live with because of the liberal media...(sr)

Svetlana... McCain even stated that he believes in evolution and that creationism should not be taught in schools..
A stark contrast with Palin..
Couric interview was only one of many where she showed herself less then bright.. i mean she's not dumb.. but about average.. 100 on the IQ scale i am guessing..
I hope for more for someone who can potentially run a country.

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Человек, который почувствовал ветер перемен, должен построить не щит от ветра, а ветряную мельницу

You really think that someone's position on evolution and creationism tells us how good president they would be? :-) and Palin never ran for president, and she didn't say not to teach the evolution...what she said was we can teach both, and it's not like it makes the difference what she thinks about it (I am sure Bush would agree with her about it. So was Bush able to influence anything in that area in education?)...
You are right - economy was the turning point, and moderates and independents were swayed to Obama the last minute...but because Palin was portrayed как последняя дура, even after her excellent debate with Biden, where Biden said 14 things that were factually wrong...
Don't get me wrong - I am not sayiing Palin was ready to be president, but she was not running for one, and compared to Obama she is no less ready or not less intelligent, and her positions and record show that...at least she's never been surrounded with communists, socialists, terrorists and anti-semites

Sveta, do you read what i write, or there are voices in your head that interpret it for you?

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Человек, который почувствовал ветер перемен, должен построить не щит от ветра, а ветряную мельницу

yeah, I have voices in my head...(tr) is it because I don't look at things exactly you do? :-) it's funny, Mike, I agree with you on about 80% of things that you write, but you seem to never agree with me...(tr) is it mathematically possible?...:-)
about IQ, my IQ is much higher than 100, and I don't think I could be a governor...so her IQ must be higher than mine or average...don't you think?

McCain is a social/religious conservative with 100% rating

If only. Senator John McCain's lifetime rating from the American Conservative Union is 82.3%. It's not high (39th place among senators), buthis 80% only due to his high ratings in 1990s. His most recent rating - 65%.

Teach both??? How can we teach both, if creationism is not based on scientific research? And what ever happened to separating church and state?
I am sure Bush would agree with her about it. So was Bush able to influence anything in that area in education?)...
.
No, he only managed to put a halt on stem cell research.
.
but because Palin was portrayed как последняя дура,
.
ne poslednyaya, but she's up there... and please stop comparing her to Obama - she's not in the same league.

it's not HOW you look at things, it's how you read what i wrote.
here is what I see.
ME> McCain was more centrist
You> McCain was 100% conservative
Me> He was against teaching creationism and supports evolution
You> That would not make him a better president
me (md) (md) (md) (md) (md) (md)

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Человек, который почувствовал ветер перемен, должен построить не щит от ветра, а ветряную мельницу