It may be tempting for Democrats to dismiss Sarah Palin, the gun-toting former beauty queen who emerged last week as John McCain’s surprise pick for vice- president, as a political lightweight unprepared for the national stage.

But while some Alaskan political veterans have questioned whether the popular first-term Alaska governor is qualified for the VP slot, they also say it could be dangerous for Mr McCain’s opponents to underestimate Ms Palin. So far she has proved to be a tenacious and sometimes ruthless adversary, capable of overcoming charges of inexperience and fundraising disadvantages to win elections and vanquish political foes.