::Indeed, it's also interesting, during that same period, how much of a shameless, POV-pushing, original-research-laden, blatantly promotional article it was thanks to a flurry of effort by at least one McCain staffer in the hours leading up to the announcement of her selection as McCain's running mate. Some of our esteemed editors have been right here from the very beginning, uhm, "massaging" that message. Some choice gems: "Due to her gender, youth, background in government reform, pro-life stance, fiscal and social conservatism, and an approval rating in Alaska generally in the range of 80 to 90 percent, Palin could become the second female vice-presidential nominee of a major party." and "Palin successfully killed the Bridge to Nowhere project that had become a nationwide symbol of wasteful earmark spending." Controversial, indeed.