From a reader:

Dear Mr. Goldberg,
Y’all have written clearly about the oft-confused Bradley Effect in the Corner today, but you have failed to mention the newest Silent Majority – those who are going to vote for McCain/Palin because of Sarah Palin, but are too embarrassed to admidt it to a pollster. It’s huge, man.
As for me, as I tell everyone – I’m voting for Sarah Palin and that while-haired dude she’s running with. Trust me, I get lots of knowing nods.

Color me dubious about the statistical significance of the Palin effect (how many gung-ho Palin supporters are really embarassed to say they’re voting for McCain to a pollster?), but I hope I’m wrong.

Update: Readers are misreading me. I’m dubious about the Palin effect as described by the reader — i.e. I’m doubtful that there are lots of people who are going to vote for McCain because of Palin but who are telling pollsters they’re voting for Obama.

I don’t doubt that there are statistically significant numbers of people who are voting for McCain because of Palin.