Could Palin be a contender in national elections in the future?

I don't know. I doubt it.

It would take her presenting something more than "hawt" hockey mom persona. Will her most avid fans still want to adore her when she starts developing a wrinkle or two? Or will the GOP just dish out for plastic surgery to go with the clothes to keep the image alive? Limbaugh (I think) stated that Hillary would not get elected becasue people don't want to see an old woman. People who are his fans are probably like that - and they are Palin's constituency. When the "hawtness" begins to fade - so will their interest in her.

I fervently hope she and McCain fail on November 4th. And I expect she will still float around much the same way minor celebrities do. Maybe a FOX show, interview rounds, ghost written movie of the week, crap like that. But eventually she will have to return to Alaska to finish her job there.

I see her fading away from interest - which will be very hard for someone who seems to sparkle under attention.

As long as they don't go to Washington, I am glad McCain picked Palin. But it was bad for both of them. She basically tarnished whatever image he had of being a man of integrity. That horse is now gone and never coming back. And for Palin? She will be stuck with Caribou Barbie forever and never really seen as credible.

I can't feel sorry for them though.

She should be charged with what ever they usually charge people who do this with.

But isn't there an element of a hate crime here? I mean - she described her assailent as a big black guy, right? Tried to make it out to be a politically motivated crime AND present the the image of a big black man beating up on a little white girl. Willie Horton anyone? Susan Smith?

If she hadn't confessed, you know the wing nut branch of the media would use it to whip up the sheeple.

The closer the election gets, the more the wing nut branch of my family is sending me rather racist email crap.

I find the level of racism that is creeping out from under the rocks alarming.

Throw the book at this bitch - and get her into therapy - or at least, off the streets.

It's the charade that annoys people. I think if the GOP had bought her some suits and shoes and dresses - that would have been fine. But 150K? Really excessive even if they throw some clothes in for the family. She was in government and did have a wardrobe already - all the GOP needed to do was supplement it for variety and maybe a more professional look.

But they went overboard.

If you are running as the green candidate, you don't drive a Hummer. And if you are trying to present yourself as a 'hockey mom', you sure shouldn't be dressing in Saks Fifth Avenue.

You 'betcha!

Anyone know what size shoes she wears?

And which charity they will go to?

Hee!

Unfortunatly, they will probably be auctioned off to raise money for some GOP 'charity'

Choice of a running mate is always a political decision. They are chosen for some characteristic that is supposed to boost the image of the head of the ticket. Fine. It would be better to choose the most qualified or someone that would work well towards issues the head of ticket supports, but hey, politics, right?

I don't have a problem with some political decision to choose a woman to "try" and get Hillary voters (though it is insulting to assume women would leap to another woman dispite the near 180 degree difference on issues.)

What I do have a problem with is this particular choice. Hoi! It is really bizarre. It really seems she was chosen for her backwards beliefs (young earth etc), her looks, and her ability to charm the people "vetting" her. And I wonder what all those very qualified Republican women are thinking - knowing they were bypassed . . . . because Palin is better . . . how?

The whole thing is fascinating - as is this whole election.

@Asehpe

This: Maybe people just aren't valuing other people so much lately. What do you think?

Yes.

Did I miss something in history class?

Did this country go through a phase when white women were lynched as a warning to other whites?

Look - both effigies were tacky at the very least, but the effigy of Obama worse given the not too distant history in this country.

There is no notable gender solidarity in sexual and romantic matters shown by either men or women, and I daresay there probably will never be.

I daresay you are correct.

However, humans are capable of having integrity - and living by it. It is just when it comes to sexual matters, a large percentage of people (male and female) do not think integrity need apply. They console themselves with the phrase "all is fair in love and war" and ignore the fact they probably think gassing the children is "unfair" when it comes to war.

People are capable of lusting after someone other than their spouse and not acting upon it. They just choose not to.

The other thing you need to consider is the age of the study participants.

All questioned were 60 and older.

In 1991, there were more men OVER 60 who had cheating in their past than women OVER 60 who had cheated.

Those men over 60 more than likely cheated with women younger and therefore not YET part of the study. Those women were probably accounted for in the 2006 study.