Reporting and commentary on Sarah Palin's nomination suggests a great deal of uncertainty about what evangelicals and socially conservative voters will do on Nov. 4.

On the one hand, James Dobson and Tony Perkins say she is an extemely reassuring and exciting addition to the Republican ticket, and David Brody thinks tapping her was an effective, game-changing move:

For the most part, social conservatives and the Evangelical base are now about to come fully on board...Anytime you have motivated Evangelicals behind you it means your candidate is in a good spot. Watch for pro-family organizations and the McCain team to now start working together to get out the vote. This CAN NOT be emphasized enough.

But Eric Gorski's first report from the Republican National Convention provides a counterpoint -- evangelical voters there haven't received the memo:

At Eagle Brook Church, Minnesota's largest evangelical Christian congregation, there was zero talk of politics on the eve of the Republican National Convention. Church pastors politely declined an invitation to a GOP prayer breakfast this week...

Conservative Christian activists on hand for the GOP convention in nearby St. Paul are suddenly energized about McCain's campaign, thanks to the addition of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to the ticket, McCain's recent performance at megachurch pastor Rick Warren's candidate forum and the party's new, tougher platform on abortion and gay marriage.

The looming challenge for Republicans is building the same enthusiasm in "values voters" that fill evangelical churches each week.

Nor is there evangelical consensus at the national level. As reported by Suzanne Sataline in the Wall Street Journal, Rich Cizik's take sounds more tuned in to the facts on the ground:

“I like some of the personal choices she’s made, such as carrying a Downs child to term,’’ Cizik said, referring the governor’s infant son who has Down Syndrome. “So will millions of evangelicals.’’ But he said he and other evangelicals need more information about Palin’s views on the environment and global affairs. “I don’t think evangelicals are going to vote for this team for superficial partisan reasons. I think lots of people are looking beyond labels this time around.’’

Conservative evangelical biographer Stephen Mansfield, who wrote books on both Bush and Obama's faith, takes it a step further:

What is certain is that there were better choices. In an election largely about judgment, McCain may have just made another mis-step.

So it looks like there's nothing approaching consensus about Sarah Palin in socially conservative or centrist evangelical circles.

The plot thickens...