The Republican Sex Kitten Effect?

[Stranger in a strange land]

I think some of you are over-estimating the boner factor here: I mean yes she's good looking, especially for a forty-something woman who's had five kids, but she's not a supermodel.

[Stranger in a strange land]

Obviously being good looking helped Palin in many ways, but it also caused some negative stereotyping.

Probably about what Edwards gained/lost for being a pretty-boy (net gain).  Unfortunately for her, Palin came out weak when in any sort of mild intellectual confrontation, heightening the negative stereotype.

She'll be far better prepared in '12 or '16 when she runs.

If her good looks haven't faded by that point, because when they do she'll be a conservative version of Hillary.