From running mate to Time's runner-up

Which, you may have heard, lost anyway.

In fact, Palin's Republican National Convention speech before a record TV audience electrified the party at a somnolent time of late summer.

Time, like all print, online and broadcast media, knows the magnetic draw of Palin's mere mention among fans and foes. Putting Sarah Palin's name in a headline and adding Sarah Palin photographs draw thousands of people, even if they haven't a clue about her politics. Sarah Palin is simply great for the media business. The more photos the better too.

"Saturday Night Live" had its best ratings in 14 years the night it had the real Sarah Palin on. By golly, she just has a presence.

Time says it'll be interesting to see what happens to Palin's political evolution now and whether she emerges with a viable conservative philosophy beyond a beguiling but fiscally responsible wink.

Although many prominent Republicans campaigned for Saxby Chambliss in the recent Georgia Senate runoff, it wasn't until Palin spent a day there that Chambliss actually won easily over a Democrat endorsed by Obama and Gore.

At the same time as it announced its Person of the Year runners-up, Time also revealed its winner, the same guy Ebony already picked.

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andrew.malcolm@latimes.com

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