I think most of us here agree that the mudslinging has to stop and the issues need to be addressed. Maybe this will happen in the debates but I'm not holding my breath.
As for the families being dragged in.....I don't like it either but the media knows what sells. For every person that doesn't like that type of politics there are probably two or three that do.
With that said, I still wonder if Palin was sufficiently vetted, or if she was, who vetted her?
My cynical side says the selection of Palin was made to bring the Conservative base back into the fold because of her religious and social views. When I really let my imagination run wild, I think that if McCain is elected, he will step down shortly after and Palin will take over.