In my opinion, McCain and people like him hurt the republican party very, very badly. They should switch to the Dem party according to the congressional voting records. The Republicans lost power because people voted them out, because of people like McCain. That is not to say anything bad about McCain as a person...but he represents the opposing party more than his own. A matter of record. As long as the Republicans keep voting on questionable legislation, reaching out to the other party, and trying to obtain a bigger tent...they are doomed and well should be, if your a conservative, why would you have any use for people like this? Although I was never a registered anything, over the years I voted for the most conservative which happened to be Republicans, but since they went left, they lost my vote and million of other votes...and that is the way it will stay until such time as they move to the right, both on their voting records, and what they speak. Until then...they will not get my vote. In my opinion, things would be the same or worse with Mac in there as president right now. If Republicans don't get that, they will never make a come back. I do not trust them yet. They need to prove some things to me.
Far as Palin goes....she has what it takes to make good calls and more experience than any of the politicians....problem is, the position of president would be a waste as Congress has all the power and is FUBAR at this time. Palin would better serve us holding a seat in there somewhere, it's up to us to replace those people and turn things around. President will fall into line after Congress does...not before.