Even in an election cycle straight out of a paperback thriller, John McCain's vice presidential choice stunned the nation on Friday.

Along with Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin had been considered a dark horse candidate for the vice presidential spot, though few regarded her as a serious contender.

"I thought it was a brilliant political move," said first-year student Ed Trto. "Palin is younger and more conservative than McCain, and obviously the first potential Republican female VP. These are all demographics McCain needs help in. Not to mention the element of surprise overshadowing Obama's ǃÚhistorical' speech."

Vanderbilt Republicans President Cameron Norris, a junior, agreed. "The Palin pick definitely was a surprise and met the goal of being a momentum-changing event," he said.

Sunday, a Rasmussen tracking poll showed Obama's post-speech spike in the polls was halted by the Palin announcement. According to the poll, Obama currently leads McCain 49 to 47 percent. Since appearing with Palin in Dayton on Friday, McCain has raised over $7 million.

But some doubt McCain's judgment.

"Sen. McCain's VP pick is remarkably irresponsible," said Vanderbilt College Democrats President Alexa Marcotte, a junior. "If something ever happened to McCain, she would not be qualified to lead the country ... (she's) only been a governor for a couple of years."

Sophomore David Pasch also derided Palin's limited record. "She has no foreign policy experience," he said, "so it's hard to criticize Obama for that same thing. She has no experience in general even, because she's only a first term governor."

Sworn in as governor in 2006, Palin has served a little over 20 months in office. Prior to becoming governor, she served as mayor of Wasilla, a small town of about 7,000.

Norris acknowledged, "As an individual, she's still relatively unknown and maybe somewhat of a risk. But, so far, Palin seems to be the perfect choice for uniting the conservative base and reaching out to independents."

Rather than appealing to supporters of Hillary Clinton, students appear to regard this conservative galvanization as a more realistic effect of Palin's selection.

"I believe that she will appeal to McCain's more conservative voters," Marcotte said, "but I doubt that she will be able to convince many former Hillary supporters to cross the aisle."

Pasch also does not believe Palin will appeal to moderates.

"As a youthful, staunch, conservative politician, Palin will help draw in the votes of the many conservatives who feel that McCain is either too old or too liberal of a candidate," said first-year student Martha Hellman.

The next few weeks will likely see both parties attempting to define Palin and her story to voters, but first impressions may linger.

Enumerating her political qualities, Trto finished, "And she's smoking hot."