For some reason, Bushites and Palin groupies want to believe it's about 'hate'. It isn't. It's about fear.

Sensible people feared what Bush would do if elected in 2000. He did it.

Sensible people feared what Bush would continue to do if elected in 2004. He did it.

Sensible people listened to Sarah Palin and John McCain and feared they might do even worse than Bush.

Thank G-d more sensible people voted in 2008 than in 2000 or 2004. And, though Obama's no prize either, at least he's not an embarrassment.

As a general but reliable rule of thumb, Americans who vote usually do so for or against the top of the ticket. I think Palin is as much to blame for the loss as was Lloyd Bentsen or Jack Kemp for their losing tickets. It is comical how the Bush hatred does actually extend to Sarah Palin. I have yet to understand that but even the most partisan democrats among us had to cringe a bit at the unfair and unequal treatment Palin received from a press with a partiality problem.

Certainly a factor but not nearly enough to be villified.  She will end up a foot note in history.  I'm not so sure that the Powers That Be plan these things that far in advance, but in 2012 she has a decent shot at appearing on Dancing with the Stars.

She should be-I voted for Obama just because of her-she is so phony.

When you run 2 guys with the exact same positions against one another.  I'd say that the younger guy wins 9 out of 10 times.
This election was about which Socialist wins the White House.  Nothing more, nothing less.
Palin has more balls than McCain.  Find it funny that McCain apologized to Obama over and over but he won't stand up for Palin.  What a sexist.

No Republican was going to win this year. Yes, Palin made some mistakes but she has a future. She is smart and tough. If anything she energized the base and drew crowds bigger and more fired up than McCain. McCain's problem was she was far more interesting than he was. To blame her is indeed cowardly and one of the reasons the Republicans lost. I voted for McCain because I favor smaller government, don't agree with liberals take on moral issues, their economic plan, and don't believe you reward people who refuse to work, but the Republicans need to take some blame and stop pointing fingers.

I'm sure some people will lay it at her feet but there was a lot working against the McCain campaign, including history, money, and time. The fact that McCain was where he was is amazing considering he was written off at the first of the year.

A bit of a crock when you consider that McCain was down, got a boost, and then went back down.

I don't see how this is  a positive.  She was a factor, but this loss was a GOP team effort.

Excuses: 1) Obama bought the election. 2) Bush's fault. 3) Damn media! 4) Palin's fault. Everyone's fault except McCain (who is now attacking his own VP pick). How pathetic.