Testing the Palin effect

So much for the Sarah Palin effect, said Beth Reihard in The Miami Herald. Wall Street’s meltdown has forced John McCain and Barack Obama to make the economy the focus of their presidential campaigns. As long as issues overshadow personalities, Palin’s allure will wear off.

Dream on, said Myrna Blyth in National Review Online. “Conservative and even moderate Republican women are, in general, wildly enthusiastic and now determined to see the McCain-Palin ticket succeed.” Bad economic news doesn’t change that.

One thing is certain, said Tim Rutten in the Los Angeles Times. Palin is McCain’s “meal ticket." His hopes hinge on whether the “knots of lipstick-waving” Palinites now in his camp can put him over the top on election day.

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