Eamonn Fitzgerald's Rainy Day

Last week, The Irish Times asked its readers: "Was Sarah Palin a good choice for John McCain?" The result was a 52% YES / 48% NO vote. But better were the comments of the poll participants.

Sure, as good as any. No one is perfect but she is close. Eamon Ireland

My only problem with Sarah Palin is she has beautiful teeth. I much prefer she had 4 rotten teeth protruding North, South, East and West. The Snobamas would lose their minds altogether. "A mere commoner in the White House — surely you jest" Marino, From the Ground Up United States

What is a "hockey mom" and where does hockey fit into world politics? I would prefer Michael Palin he has more experience and he had a dead parrot too. Bush talks to God but Palin talks to perguins and Santa Claus. Lord help us all when a country like America has come to this. Brendan J. Ireland

I would suggest yes, with all due respect to militant lesbianism dispossessed Original Americans and busy young African-American moms. Kynos Ireland

In the nick of time, Lois Lane (Sarah Palin) has been parachuted in to help the aging Superman (John McCain) save America. Yippee! Gordon Italy

And on and on and on and on and on...

Obama's problem, which is obvious from the reactions to the poll, is that he has been unable to generate visceral feelings. Sure, he's adored in Berlin and Manhattan, but it's become predictable. There's no fizz anymore. Palin, on the other hand, has turned things upside down and feelings about her run the gamut from love to hate. She's become the debate. She is the issues. Amazing.