What specifically are the attacks on Palin? I haven't kept up on that particular issue. All I have seen is that Democrats have said she is inexperienced, which seems to be a fair knock since I've heard many Republicans call out Obama's inexperience.
I'd like to think Palin was chosen for something other than taking some female voters away from a minority choice in Obama, but I think that was actually a big factor in choosing her. It would be a depressing prospect if people voted for a person that looks most like them instead of actual policies.