Undoubtedly. Palin is the direct result of Obama's arrogant dismissal of Hillary. If Obama had Hillary, McCain would have picked Mitt Romney.

But thanks to Obama's stupidity, the choice of Palin is nothing short of brilliant. It is a testament to John McCain's political genius.

Palin gives McCain almost everything: He gets much of the "scorned" Hillary vote. Even tho Palin is conservative, Hill hath no fury like a woman scorned (to quote a pundit). Many women have been furious at the way that the Obama camp, if not Obama, treated Hillary.

She also energizes the Republican base and brings them into the race with their 100% fanatical enthusiasm. Palin's un-aborted Down's syndrome baby might as well be a picture of Jesus Christ.

While energizing the base, she is also charming enough to not alienate moderates and independents. Just about everybody likes her, except the Obama people, who are howling like so many wounded Mooses.

On top of everything else, she is energizing and complementing McCain himself. She's as much a rock star as Obama, but she does not mind focusing the attention on John McCain, who she always trumpets in glowing terms. This is also helpful, because John McCain is too self-deprecating to toot his own horn very much.

All I can say is that it now looks like the Republicans have the edge. Once again, I say that it is very sad that Obama did not have the Wisdom to accept the number 2 spot on a Hillary/Obama ticket, because that indeed would have been a winning ticket.