Without Palin, McCain's Crowds Dwindle

Republican enthusiasm for John McCain is dwindling absent his charismatic but inexperienced running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. 

Press reports today note that McCain drew only 3,000 to a 16,000-seat Jacksonville arena, hardly the kind of numbers the GOP nominee would prefer. 

Meanwhile, Palin appeared to be on the defensive in a recent campaign stop after repeating her statement that she turned down federal funds for the infamous "Bridge to Nowhere," a statement that is at odds with her record in Alaska. 

One website, in fact, is keeping count of her "Bridge" denials from the campaign trail. Last time we checked, the count was up to 10—all of which fly in the face of her own previous statements about the bridge funding.