The Palin pick may be aimed more at down ticket races, such as Congressional and state races, than the Presidential races. A hard right Christian conservative helps McCain get the base out but doesn't bring in undecided voters. If the Republicans only depend on a turnout of the wingnut base, they will lose. The Democrats are more numerous and fired up than ever before. Obama has the strongest ground game in history. And the independents are leaning Democratic. So as a strategy to win the White House the Palin pick is at best a hail mary pass.
But, as a strategy to help in down ticket races, it could be helpful. In Congressional races squeezing out extra votes from the Christian right base of the Republican Party could possibly swing some close House races. In some close districts, like Kissell's, upping the Christian Right vote might make the difference.
We also know this wasn't McCain's pick. This pick was forced upon him. The Christian right made this pick. While McCain would have focused solely on his race, the Christian right might have had broader interests it was focused on. They may have forced this on him to get more down ticket races to go their way.
I've got to give credit for this idea to my son. It is out of the box thinking. But, I think it could be true. What do you think?