The fiscal regime in Ireland for oil and gas exploration and exploitation is probably one of the more attractive fiscal regimes in the world.

BBC: Irish oil rig, Barryroe

Having managed her state's department responsible for oil and gas exploration and exploitation, having negotiated a long-delayed natural gas pipeline through Canada to the Lower 48 and having been married for nearly two decades to a blue-collar worker in Alaska's North Slope oil fields, she knows more about the subject than all three of the others on the two parties' tickets put together.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Sarah Palin's experience

Most countries in Europe lack both the small wildcat exploration firms that spearheaded shale-gas exploitation in America, and the myriad competing oilfield-services firms that support them, thus driving down costs.

ECONOMIST: The hunt for shale gas in Europe