Wow. It didn’t seem like the 2008 presidential campaign needed any more story lines. Then along comes Sarah Palin. Until Friday, most Americans couldn’t name the governor of Alaska, but that hasn’t stopped them from having fervent opinions about John McCain’s surprise choice for a vice presidential running mate.

Republicans have their fingers crossed.

By Nov. 4, voters may be exhausted, but between now and then, they won’t lack for debate topics.

BTW, if you’re interested in demographics, 670,000 people live in Alaska. The combined population of Sonoma and Marin counties is 714,000 people. The population of Wasilla, Alaska, where Palin was mayor, is 6,715, which is 450 fewer people than live in Cotati.