From some reader ...

Conveniently, Gallup released new numbers this afternoon that allow us to quantify the divergent trends you've fingered. In the three days following Palin's selection, McCain brought his level of support among Republican women up five points to 90%, and eliminated his nagging gender gap. But that's just within the GOP. Independents and Democrats reacted to Palin's selection by turning to Obama - and his gains have more than offset McCain's, leaving him with a substantial lead.