Palin performs

Whatever people may say about the performance of Governor Sarah Palin, it’s clear that she exceeded expectations.

The last week — two weeks? — have been as bad for the Republican veep choice as they could be.

Verbal gaffes, awkward body language, scandal, the works.

But this debate, combined with word that the Republican National Committee has barnstormed up another $60-plus million dollars (largely on her appeal) stops the bleeding.

It’s a fair question whether she was good enough to reverse the current pro-Obama trend. It’s even a fair question whether she was better than Democrat Joe Biden.

But on night when her critics were hoping for a meltdown, Palin performed.

If she can maintain this stride, and this small-town tone, through Election Day, then she will arguably have been a political asset for McCain, rather than a liability.

(Again, I think that’s a separate question than whether or not she’s qualified for the Veep job , or the Presidency.)