@sozobe,
Just because she's a female does not mean she will get the support of the 18 million people, including me, who voted for Hillary Clinton. In fact, I would imagine she'd get very few of those votes simply because Sarah Palin does not share Clinton's positions on crucial issues, like abortion, she does not have the federal experience of being a US Senator, and she's relatively unknown when compared to the former First Lady. And, having a woman on the ticket as vice president, did not help Walter Mondale to become president. I think Palin's appeal--simply because she is female--is very limited in terms of adding any clout to the ticket.
Where Palin will help McCain is with the Christian right, but those are not votes which might likely go to Obama anyway.
I think Palin is a stunning choice simply in terms of the suprise factor. Hers will not be not a historic candidacy. Geraldine Ferraro got there first. But Palin is so blatantly unqualified to become the president, her lack of experience should come as a relief to the Obama camp. Experience should now be off the table as a serious issue. They cannot attack Obama on his lack of experience, when Palin's resume is even thinner. And, given McCain's age, his choice of a very inexperienced running mate may not sit well with many voters who would not want this woman a heartbeat away from the presidency. It does not say a lot about McCain's ability to make good appointments if this is the best he could do.
