good call lurker.  she's a ratings boom.  Repubs knew it was a change election.  they gave mccain his props (ala dole 96) for years of dignified service to the party.  He's a solid placeholder for the party.  Palin was the prop to try to win back some poor, uneducated voters from the dems.
If J-Lo got onstage in a thong and shook her ass while reading a speech and juggling small poodles, I'd watch.  It woudln't mean she'd get my vote.  It would just mean I can't wait to see if a titty pops out or a dog hits the ground.