Here is a good analysis of the Sarah Palin phenomena and the current political situation in America. I agree with the author's conclusion that Palin helped McCain, but that McCain failed because he offered no vision for the country. He is a reformer and a maverick, but he has no vision of where he wants the country to go. I agree with that assessment, and that is the reason that I didn't like McCain as a candidate for President. As the old saying goes, 'you can't beat something with nothing,' even if the something is liberal fascism.

https://www.commentarymagazine.com/viewarticle.cfm/the-meaning-of-sarah-palin-14674?page=all