What do people think of Sarah Palin?

As this race gets down to the wire, I need some perspective on the race. I haven't done this before, but I figured I would put down my thoughts on Sarah Palin, and see if people will put their reactions to my analysis:

This is a simple comparison. I want to know if people are pro or con, and maybe why. Here are the cases:

Pro--
Attractive--let's not hide it. This is an attractive politician, both physically, but also someone who appeals to a significant portion of the electorate. My friend in Houston tells me that Sarah Palin is all the rage down there. Ditto for my friend in Atlanta.

Intelligent--all MSM interviews aside, this is someone who is a quick study, and has been praised by almost all who spend any significant time with her.

Understands Energy Needs--this is a topic that, sadly, has not been one she has been able to showcase, for any number of reasons. Most of those reasons have been beyond her control. As she continues to ascend in the party, this could be THE issue that makes her a star.

Executive experience--hey, she has had to lead a town, a state, and possibly hold the #2 position in the land. Anyone want to put their credentials up against that?

Could be a party leader--She certainly has the talking points down better than a month ago. Who knows where she will be in a year? I don't think she ends up as Dan Quayle. I think she ends up as a party leader.

Appeals to demographics not currently strong in the GOP--The right has been looking for a main stream champion since it became obvious that W. would not be Reagan.

Scares the heck out of the Donkeys--One reason Brand D attacks her so much is that they are flat out scared to death of her message catching on in independent parts of the country. Imagine a leader on the other side of the aisle who is not conciliatory to the democratic message, is young, attractive, AND winning elections?

Reformer/"Maverick"--She can make the case, but I would recommend that she drop the "Maverick" persona. That only really works for McCain. As soon as she is her own candidate, it starts to look phony.

"Sarah-cudda" Style--we have seen a style of campaigning that is sharp, and effective. This is why I doubt that Palin will be going anywhere, even if the Democrats WIN the Presidency in 2008.

Con--
"ideology-challenged dittohead"--for those of you who DON'T listen to AM radio in the late morning/early afternoon, "dittos" really don't mean anything to you. But Palin has not yet shown she has a lot of independent thinking going on from the Republican dogma. If the Republicans lose the election, and the economy recovers, it could be a long walk into the political wilderness for Palin and Brand R.

political lightweight--this is not someone who appears to be intellectually, or in any other way, curious about issues, the world, or the people who live in all parts of America. In other words, she is George W. Bush. That's the image of her right now, in Blue State America.

uninterested in foreign policy--this one scares me. Honestly, if Palin wins the VP spot, she should make it a point to work on this somewhat, before running for Pres in 2012.

"phony"--I hear this from a LOT of women I meet. They think she is NOT the real deal, she is shallow, and doesn't really represent their values.


That's the comparison, the best I know it. Let me know what you think. Sarah Palin--Pro or Con?