No, Kat, I guess I haven't read anything I believe about Palin's "extreme religious beliefs." Her beliefs are to the right of mine (mine are on a par with Obama and Kerry), but still what I would consider within the "mainstream." No, I wouldn't consider her ideas dangerous at all, even though I disagree with many of her positions. She doesn't believe in abortion and she inquired about book censorship - but I haven't seen any indication that she actually made any move toward removing books from libraries or negating Roe v. Wade. I think a candidate has a right to personal beliefs, even if others deem those beliefs extreme - the question is whether that candidate would impose those beliefs on the rest of the nation. Palin certainly hasn't done that in Alaska.
I think we need to get away from polarization and from demonizing people who don't agree with us. We may not agree, but we have to find common ground with our opponents if we are to make any progress at all. We cannot move foward in this country without at least some support from the Republican Party - I'd much rather deal with a McCain/Palin Republican, than with a Bush/Reagan/Nixon Republican.
I think John McCain is the Republican Senator that Democratic Senators have respected most. I think he still deserves that respect.

-Joe-