I think the problem with Palin stepping into the ring is this: the election was pretty important before this. The whole world is watching. I know this because my British schoolkids are talking about it during English class. But now, it seems, the way that McCain/Palin are handling themselves has degraded the reaction of the general public here into peeking through their eyes and saying 'Ohmygod, look at how those conservative Americans handle themselves, have you ever seen anything so....?' Before this, it was important. Since McCain/Palin have chosen this tack, it's just been...childish. And horrid.