I think his sudden rise is due to the fact that he is an excellent public speaker, he's young, he's different in appearance, and he is promising change in government, which EVERYONE wants. The voting public doesn't realize that what he is promising is not only VAGUE, but not do-able from the white house. The media whom is ULTRA LIBERAL is promoting him, about 10 to 1 over McCain, and that certainly doesn't hurt anything either.
Although some here view the Iraq war as a good thing, about 72% of the rest of the United States sees it as an exercise in futility, as far as forming any lasting democracy in a Muslim country, and realize also that they truly had nothing to do with 911. This is a big promoter for Obama also.
As far as someone indicating that Palin's husband and son, are democrats, I believe it was published that they are actually INDEPENDENTS. Big difference.