How would that affect potential tossup states?
Well, the Mormon things affects Southern tossup states.
He has a nice biography/image, and plenty of experience in almost every arena, I guess that's the only difference, but that's the type of thing most people vote on anyway. Obviously the biggest difference is who can run the best campaign that connects with the most people.
I suppose if a GOP candidate had labor connections he could appeal to the Midwest or if the candidate was Hispanic that could help in various states. *shrug* I guess I think a successful candidacy is built less on microtargeting swing-state demographics and more on managerial skills, positive image projection [likability, seems aware of people's problems, speaking skills], and a great campaign platform. I look at people like Huntsman Jr. and Bobby Jindal and I think of them as people that could manage a solid campaign while I look at Palin and I just have no trust in her ability to surround herself with competent people and create minimal campaign-derailing gaffes.