Rather than detailing the salient points from all of these studies I link them below.Anyone with the slightest leaning to a non-biased point of view-no matter how leftist they were would have to admit this independent, academic analysis makes it very clear what the truth is.
This graph makes it clear as day what the "Palin effect"
was for McCain's campaign and exactly when his chances ended after being ahead. Just after Lehman Brothers collapse you can clearly see Obama go from being behind to zooming straight up in Electoral College votes.
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1. LINK
University Study:"The Unexpected Wall Street Meltdown Election" Destroyed McCain's Chances After Palin Put Him In Lead
The 2008 Election in Perspective
The Unexpected Wall Street Meltdown Election
CNN did a national exit poll and one of the questions was whether McCain's selection of Sarah Palin was a factor in how they voted. 33 % said that it was not and of this group, Obama won by a 2 to 1 margin - get that? 65% to 33% an absolute slaughter. HOWEVER, 60% of those polled said that it was a factor in their vote and of this group, McCain/Palin won 56% to 42% which is landslide , numbers. Clearly, the only reason McCain did not suffer the worst defeat in history is because he was smart enough to select Sarah as his VP.
Report: You betcha Sarah Palin helped John McCain in 2008, has 2016 support base Political Research Quarterly.
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3. LINK
Dramatic Polling Evidence Proves Palin Twice Gave McCain Huge Poll Boost
PEW RESEARCH CENTER FOR THE PEOPLE & THE PRESS November 5, 2008
Yet those who cited Palin's selection as a factor in their vote -- 60% of all voters -- favored McCain by 56% to 43%.
4. LINK
Biden Destroys Left Meme That "Palin Cost McCain The Election" With Honest Reference To Economic Collapse & Inferred Palin Momentum
- Vice President Joe Biden said Friday that if not for the economic collapse surrounding the 2008 presidential race, Sen. John McCain might have beat President Barack Obama.
"The truth of the matter is, Barack knows it, I know, had the economy not collapsed around your ears, John, in the middle of literally, as things were moving, I think you probably would have won," Biden said during the annual Sedona forum at the McCain Institute for International Leadership at Arizona State University.
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5. LINK
Tulane University Study:The authors conclude that Palin had no detrimental effect on McCain's campaign.
*************************************************************************Tulane University Study:The authors conclude that Palin had no detrimental effect on McCain's campaign.
Review:"The Contemporary Effects of Vice-Presidential Nominees:Sarah Palin and the 2008 Presidential Campaign"
6. LINK