I said back in February when McCain won the nomination that my concerns was although conservatives will hold their noses and vote for him, they won’t be enthusiastic, that means they won’t donate money, and they won’t volunteer time.
And without those 2 things, he can’t win. That’s always the danger of appealing to the moderates. Because ultimately moderates are moderates because they aren’t passionate about politics, and you don’t win a presidential election without people who are passionate for your victory.
That’s the difference Sarah Palin has made, the conservative base is passionate again because they actually have a conservative on the ticket to vote for. We’re seeing this now with the money pouring in, with the size of the crowds. The entire race has changed.
This was something Romney could not have done, as much as I like Mitt, rightly or wrongly, the evangelicals would never have gotten passionate behind him.