With all the kerfluffle raised over McCain's confusion over Zapatero, Spain, and South America, I'm a little surprised this isn't getting more notice.  
Considering that Iowa is still in the United States —indeed, critical to John McCain's chances of winning the White House — Palin's domestic geographical gaffe coming right on the heels of McCain's international one is a sign of doom.  Cedar Rapids was in the news around-the-clock just 3 months ago.  Hard to attribute this to anything but ignorance and lack of preparation.  
But won Iowa in 2004 (the only Republican victory there in 24 years) by keeping his vote totals close enough to Kerry in the eastern counties (including Linn County where Cedar Rapids is located) where the Democratic strongholds are located.  If enough Iowa voters see Palin's gaffe, Republicans can pretty well kiss the state goodbye for 2008...it was almost out of reach for them before this happened.