Editore"s Note
Tilting at Windmills

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September 3, 2008

PREPPING FOR PRIME TIME.... Over the last five days, we've been hearing quite a bit about Sarah Palin, but we haven't heard much from Sarah Palin. This is, not surprisingly, part of a very careful strategy.

The McCain campaign scrambled to take control of the public debate over vice-presidential pick Sarah Palin, canceling her public appearances and teaming her with high-powered Republican operatives as she prepared for a speech Wednesday night that will be her first, and perhaps most important, chance to define herself to the American public. [...]

In Minnesota she has stayed out of the public eye, a contrast with Democratic vice-presidential pick Sen. Joe Biden, who milled about the convention in Denver last week. Gov. Palin refused media interviews and canceled plans to appear at the Republican National Coalition for Life Tuesday.

This includes steering clear of Republican activists at the convention -- Palin even skipped meeting with Alaska's delegation -- but it's more striking when it comes to the media. I've poked around, trying to find out which media outlets Palin has actually spoken to since accepting the invitation to join the Republican ticket, and as far as I can tell, she's chatted with a couple of Alaska radio stations and People magazine, but no major national news outlets.

McCain campaign manager Rick Davis refused to say when Palin might be available for interviews, saying only that this isn't a good time, because the media has adopted a "combative" attitude. Presumably, once reporters agree to stop asking pointed questions about Palin's controversial past, extremist beliefs, and unimpressive record, the campaign will gladly make the vice presidential nominee available for questions.

Palin's qualified to run the nation, and she's John McCain's purported "soulmate," but for the love of God, don't ask to actually engage her in an interview. Just assume that the McCain campaign wouldn't steer voters wrong.

There are a couple of angles to this. First, I suspect the McCain campaign probably isn't entirely confident in Palin's abilities quite yet, and the more they hide her, the more comfortable McCain's aides will feel. Second, Palin almost certainly is getting a crash-course in Federal Government 101, which is going to take a while. Usually, when governors seek national office, they take many months to become more familiar with federal issues and policies; Palin has a small fraction of that time. She hasn't demonstrated any knowledge of or interest in federal issues in her brief career, so it's safe to assume her tutorial sessions have been fairly intense.

And third, I imagine the McCain gang is managing expectations, building anticipation for tonight's speech in St. Paul. Keeping her hidden away might even be part of an effort to have the political world expect less from her convention address. (I tend to avoid predictions, but I'm going to guess that Palin's speech tonight will be strong, delivered well, and very well received.)

But avoiding the media, over the long run, is a recipe for disaster. It won't be long until people start asking, "If she's afraid of CNN, how can she be expected to take on serious global challenges?"

Steve Benen 10:30 AM Permalink | Trackbacks | Comments (72)
 
Comments

The Emperor has no clothes. Thats all

Posted by: John R on September 3, 2008 at 10:35 AM | PERMALINK

Wait - so they've sent Palin off to an undisclosed location to hide from the media?

Sounds like they're just tutoring her on what the job of the Vice President is. She did express an interest in knowing more about what the VP does a few months back.

Posted by: NonyNony on September 3, 2008 at 10:36 AM | PERMALINK

In reading the WSJ article you link to, one almost gets the impression that she's never taken a position on most of the issues that she'll be speaking about, so she's taking the time to learn what her new position will be. That couldn't be the case, could it? I mean McCain wouldn't select such an utter neophyte would he?

Homer

Posted by: Homer on September 3, 2008 at 10:36 AM | PERMALINK

They are building interest, and want as many as possible to tune in for her address, to catch the "breath of fresh (h)air!"

Shouldn't we gift (sic) the language with a new word:

Palinesque
A complete disconnect between teaching and practise.

Family first?
Yes - my 17 years old daughter needs the experience, and can take care of my Downs syndrome newborn during her teen pregnancy.

Abstinence First?
I'd like that to be the norm, sure. But I didn't have the time to monitor Bristol, and then we're really uncomfortable talking about pre-marital sex. Contraceptives we don't encourage at all, and as long as you're abstinent they shouldn't be necessary.

Participatory Democracy?
Does she even know what the words mean? You get yourself elected mayor, and your first impulse is to ban books?

Private Sphere - Public Office?
Sis, we'll hit your ex with a steam roller, trust me.

and the list goes on

Posted by: SteinL on September 3, 2008 at 10:36 AM | PERMALINK

Here's my prediction... She comes off as a smarter version of Laura Bush. The beltway boys will find her charming, and flirt with the idea of giving her a pass. The female pundits will continue to question if there is any "there" there. Her honeymoon lasts 24 hours, max.

I'm hoping for a Lugar, Hagel or Powell endorsement of Obama on Thurday night, Friday morning.

Posted by: enozinho on September 3, 2008 at 10:40 AM | PERMALINK

Lieberman expressed the GOP's pitch this media cycle: "Trust us!"

Bwahahahahahaha

Posted by: Lucy on September 3, 2008 at 10:40 AM | PERMALINK

Picked this quote up from a Sally Quinn article:

"Sarah Palin has five children. She is nursing her fifth child, an infant with Down syndrome."

She's still breastfeeding?????

Posted by: MsMuddler on September 3, 2008 at 10:40 AM | PERMALINK

Circa George W. Shrub 2000 all over again. Party leaders leashed Shrub to his handler Karen Hughes to ensure he didn't wander far from the GOP reservation. Sure didn't take long to put the muzzle on Sarah Appalling. GOP. All cliches all the time.

Posted by: Chopin on September 3, 2008 at 10:41 AM | PERMALINK

Sally Quinn Link

Posted by: MsMuddled on September 3, 2008 at 10:42 AM | PERMALINK

It's important for her first big introduction to the American public to be totally scripted so that she can just be herself.

Posted by: Jeffrey Davis on September 3, 2008 at 10:42 AM | PERMALINK

Hopefully she'll follow the lead of her spokesperson in Alaska and complain that Troopergate is just a partisan witchhunt like the one Ken Starr conducted. Because referencing the Clintons has worked so well for her so far.

Posted by: Mnemosyne on September 3, 2008 at 10:45 AM | PERMALINK

Lieberman supports the GOP Iraq strategy. This is supposed to be his big divide with the DFL.

Last night, he backed McCain on pretty much every national issue. How is this guy a Democrat?

Posted by: wishIwuz2 on September 3, 2008 at 10:45 AM | PERMALINK

What are the republicans saying, here? That she's qualified to take on dictators and despots, and every kind of international challenge that may come along - but can't even handle the American media?

Really?

Posted by: DH Walker on September 3, 2008 at 10:46 AM | PERMALINK

Funny how you people don't know dick about Palin and are already making a mountain out of a mole hill of this little you do know and trying to show her of some dizzy corrupt lying republican. She was bright enough to go from the PTA to Mayor, to Governor to VP candidate; I'd say not bad for a blue color women.

She has Obama and Biden. She has made exec decisions. Obama can talk about change all he want but when it comes down to it, Obama hasn't even changed his speech in the last two year.

Posted by: MANNY FROM MIAMI on September 3, 2008 at 10:46 AM | PERMALINK

not bad for a blue color women

Maybe she is a Manchurian candidate!

Posted by: Lucy on September 3, 2008 at 10:48 AM | PERMALINK

She hasn't demonstrated any knowledge of or interest in federal issues +

Not completely true- she did hire DC lobbyists to beg for federal earmarks.

Posted by: shpx.ohfu on September 3, 2008 at 10:48 AM | PERMALINK

...it's safe to assume her tutorial sessions have been fairly intense.

We can also assume such tutorials will be effective. If there's one thing Sarah Palin is good at, it's regurgitating vague platitudes.

"She was bright enough to go from the PTA to Mayor, to Governor to VP candidate..."

Being elevated to VP candidate should not be taken as evidence of her brightness, since her qualification for that job is what's at issue. Logically speaking.

Posted by: Grumpy on September 3, 2008 at 10:50 AM | PERMALINK

Undergoing the indoctrination on how to be two faced when facing the press, transfer any questions you cannot answer straightly to criticism of your rivals, moving the question to another topic to match your index of scripted talking points, etc. Facing the press now runs the risk of revealing too much of what she has done and too little of what she knows.

Sarah's big line in her address is going to be something about the proper role of government -- doing a few big things well. She has had some practice on doing a few things pretty well like securing some really big earmarks for her small town. Oh yeah. Expect a lot of stuff about small town values. But don't expect any talk about injecting her own extreme ideology into it.

Posted by: lou on September 3, 2008 at 10:51 AM | PERMALINK

I wonder what her speech is going to cover. My guess is that it will be almost all biography. The media will be ready to pounce if she tells any whoppers like when she claimed that she told Congress no on the bridge to nowhere. But will she touch on any of the controversial points of her past like her husband being a member of the AIP? Will she discuss her pregnant 17 year old? For most VP's, their job is to be the attack dog. Will she attack Obama and if so, how? Most of the attacks she could make will sound silly from her. Last night was substance free. Will she talk about any policies? The policies she knows best - drilling, gay bashing and pro-life - aren't the most popular of issues.

Posted by: HippoRider on September 3, 2008 at 10:51 AM | PERMALINK

To me this reeks of republican elitism: How dare you question our judgment! We are the ruling class and we know what is best for the country! Now serfs, just keep shopping and spending that money and we'll take care of everything else.

As demonstrated over the last 8 years of course...

Posted by: citizen_pain on September 3, 2008 at 10:52 AM | PERMALINK

Well, Palin knows she wasn't McCain's pick, she was forced on him when he wanted Lieberman. And now McCain realizes what he's been stuck with.

Talk about a shotgun wedding.

It will be interesting to hear her read Lieberman's "masculine" speech tonight.
.

Posted by: Grand Moff Texan on September 3, 2008 at 10:52 AM | PERMALINK

(I tend to avoid predictions, but I'm going to guess that Palin's speech tonight will be strong, delivered well, and very well received.)

It will be well delivered and well received.

She will also be "engaging" as opposed to Obama's "inspiring." Certainly more warmth and humanity and, yes, intelligence, than Uncle Fred and Aunt Joe last night.

But that's just one speech. Their hope is that the A+ grade she receives will inoculate her against critical questions as part of an expected honeymoon following the official introduction. It might work. I hope it doesn't. No one is entitled to a "pass."

However, I would not underestimate her. That's the worst mistake that could be made. She may have a natural gift and media savvy that more than makes up for lack of experience dealing with tough questions. Hillary survived because she learned from experience. Some people, even though they might not be born learners, or born survivors. That pretty well describes Bush and my gut feel is that we Dems will be a lot less joyful about the Palin pick in a few weeks.

Do I think she'll be a good VP? No. But she may very well be a good VP candidate and that's all that matters prior to November.

As for the tabloids covering her various domestic "scandals," that may actually end up creating a positive brand for her. Also, the thinly veiled sexism and big state elitism (Alaska is full of rubes!) may hurt with some independent voters, especially in the West, where Obama really wanted to flip some states.

If the Obama campaign thinks that Palin is the anchor that will sink McCain, they will lose -- guaranteed. But Obama is not a tactical, reactive leader. He is strategic, patient and cool under pressure. This election will be won on who can get the most turnout for their vision for the future, NOT the most turnout voting for the lesser of two evils.

Take a lesson from Sanya Richards, the anchor in the gold medal winning U.S. women's 4 x 4 relay team - Keep your eye on the finish line, not on your opponents!

If the Dems rubberneck McCain's gaffes and engage in prolonged schadenfreude, they will trip and choke.

Eyes forward people.

Posted by: lobbygow on September 3, 2008 at 10:52 AM | PERMALINK

I'd say not bad for a blue color women.

But is America ready for a blue vice-president?

Posted by: douglasfactors on September 3, 2008 at 10:53 AM | PERMALINK

Really, people!

"Sarah Palin is in a secure undisclosed location and with the exception of her speech tonight, and possibly the VP debate, (we'll get back to you on that) she will remain so until November. For her own security and for America's security. My friends!"

Posted by: Jeff S. on September 3, 2008 at 10:54 AM | PERMALINK

They need a speech for her. It would be interesting to see a collection of her political speeches. The few clips that I have seen of her speaking aren't in settings at all similar to what she will be in tonight. She doesn't have the presence or speaking skills that Obama, or HRC do. She is hampered by the fact that the convention hall is half-filled with a rather low-energy crowd. I suspect that she will do well but it will be an interesting evening.

Posted by: rk on September 3, 2008 at 10:54 AM | PERMALINK

I wonder what her speech is going to cover.

The Angry Left, no doubt.

Posted by: Lucy on September 3, 2008 at 10:54 AM | PERMALINK

It won't be long until people start asking, "If she's afraid of CNN, how can she be expected to take on serious global challenges?"

Why wait?

Funny how you people don't know dick about Palin and are already making a mountain out of a mole hill of this little you do know and trying to show her of some dizzy corrupt lying republican.

I don't think it's funny at all. The Republican Party is saying, "Trust us, she's qualified!" when Gov. Palins' resume indicates otherwise. After 8 years of Republican idealogues running the government into the ground, voters like me need a lot more assurance than simply "trusting" anyone with the 2nd highest office in the land.

Posted by: GuyFromOhio on September 3, 2008 at 10:55 AM | PERMALINK

(I tend to avoid predictions, but I'm going to guess that Palin's speech tonight will be strong, delivered well, and very well received.)

Here's my prediction: He speech will be weak (because the Republicans have nothing to brag about, and she wasn't a POW), delivered poorly (she is not a skillful speaker), and ecstatically received (it's the Republicans' convention, and they're a bit insular).

About the Palin selection, I would like to know who it was in McCain's campaign who told McCain to select Palin. We have heard about the outside influences and McCain's mavericky impulsiveness, but he couldn't have picked someone he neither knew nor knew about without someone close to him urging him on. Who was it? He or she might be identifiable today by a black eye or a broken nose.

Posted by: Boolaboola on September 3, 2008 at 10:55 AM | PERMALINK

"I tend to avoid predictions, but I'm going to guess that Palin's speech tonight will be strong, delivered well, and very well received."

Based on the several brief appearances we seen her make, I'd have to ask for the critera for "strong, delivered well, and very well received." Of course it will be well-received by conservatives, but if its the same giddy, pagent-like posturing I've seen from I can't see any measure of "strong and delivered well." It will be right wing tripe with a honey glaze.

Keep in mind where the bar has been set...and by whom. Four years ago an unknown exploded onto the national scene with his keynote address to the Democratic convention. After the speech many predicted he would one day be President. Tonight when Sarah Palin takes the stage, those really are the shoes she needs to fill. Appearing nice and chipper isn't good enough.

Posted by: Saint Zak on September 3, 2008 at 10:55 AM | PERMALINK

Sarah's big line in her address is going to be something about the proper role of government ...

My money's on her big line conforming to gender-identity politics. She's a woman, and all that, so of course Clinton supporters should flock to her - because women can't worry their pretty little heads about actual "issues", can they? Or, you know, something along those lines.

Posted by: DH Walker on September 3, 2008 at 10:55 AM | PERMALINK

Gail Collins (NYT) was on Morning Joe a few minutes ago, suggesting that Mccain's vetting process was very good. After all, what killed Giuliani was that he had a reputation of hiring people he had known for a lifetime. Mika B thought that was a brilliant observation.

The Old Gray Lady ain't what she used to be.

Posted by: Danp on September 3, 2008 at 10:55 AM | PERMALINK

So, the VP candidate with more experience than Biden and Obama put together isn't ready for her close up because she's cramming for exams in her freshman intro courses -- using Cliff Notes and tutors, no less?

My guess is she's also taking a double-period lab in field dressing raw meat for moments when someone asks one of those advanced questions covered the sophomore year.

Posted by: beep52 on September 3, 2008 at 10:56 AM | PERMALINK

Slightly off topic, but isn't it a little, ahem, politically explosive that the founder of the Alaska Independence Party died in a plastic explosives deal gone bad?

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940CE3DB153CF936A25753C1A962958260&scp=4&sq=joe%20vogler&st=cse

Posted by: Jeff S. on September 3, 2008 at 10:59 AM | PERMALINK

This is a white New York college sociology professor who gave birth to a mulatto child, was abandoned by the father, and recently gave birth again to mulatto twins by a different father to whom she is not married. She, in short, is Stanley. I have been following her for a while.

And she is siding with Palin on the teenage daughter issue. People underestimate Sarah Palin’s influence on an America-2008 election. Sarah gets to speak tonight.

Posted by: Brick Oven Bill on September 3, 2008 at 11:00 AM | PERMALINK

"As for the tabloids covering her various domestic "scandals," that may actually end up creating a positive brand for her."

If she's not found in the midst of a huge cover-up first. Here's a video of Palin giving a tour of the governor's mansion and walking all about Juneau (in snow and ice), allegedly 7 months pregnant.

NOT!

Posted by: MsMuddler on September 3, 2008 at 11:01 AM | PERMALINK

The policies she knows best - drilling, gay bashing and pro-life - aren't the most popular of issues.

... Yet constitute a solid red-meat diet for the social neo-cons - indicating yet again why she was invited to the ticket.

As Steve posted earlier:

Rick Davis, campaign manager for John McCain's presidential bid, insisted that the presidential race will be decided more over personalities than issues during an interview with Post editors this morning.

"This election is not about issues," said Davis. "This election is about a composite view of what people take away from these candidates."

The logic behind Governor Palins' selection becomes clearer by the day, trad media blackout or not.

Posted by: GuyFromOhio on September 3, 2008 at 11:01 AM | PERMALINK

I take that back, Stanley was married for short periods of time.

Posted by: Brick Oven Bill on September 3, 2008 at 11:02 AM | PERMALINK

Hey manny from miami
Go to the corner of 27th Ave and Calle Ocho and tell someone who gives a shit, Communista!Communista!Communista!

Posted by: John R on September 3, 2008 at 11:04 AM | PERMALINK

Double standard, sexist, and slander against republicians... I am very tired of CBS, NBC and ABC and so-called "magazines" ... don't you all just print or report the news anymore? To be so-called smart people, where are the issues. President Bush cut taxes (we received $2000 back) now the Dems want to use put $1000 in one pocket for pork barrell projects and the other $1000 to give to those who do not pay anything while the state and local people take their share of our money too. Why don't you report the good news out of Iraq? ... what faith-based and community-based organizations are doing to help the homeless... The gas prices that are killing us so we have no money to pay doctor bills, house payments, food and utilities. What about all that!!!!!

Posted by: Gail on September 3, 2008 at 11:05 AM | PERMALINK

Check out this thought-provoking piece from the Huffington Post on the possible McCain Palin strategy:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jay-rosen/the-culture-war-option-fo_b_123483.html

Posted by: Doofus on September 3, 2008 at 11:05 AM | PERMALINK

Congratulations Brick Oven Bill Carlson.

You've found one unwed mother who agrees.

Posted by: MsMuddler on September 3, 2008 at 11:06 AM | PERMALINK

And she is siding with Palin on the teenage daughter issue.

Actually, she's siding with Amanda Marcotte and other feminist bloggers in pointing out that there's no need to attack the teenage daughter in order to go after the horrible policies of the mother.

So I'm assuming you also agree with Amanda that the problem here is that Palin is claiming that her daughter made a free choice even though Palin wants to deny every other woman in America the opportunity to make her own choice, too?

Posted by: Mnemosyne on September 3, 2008 at 11:08 AM | PERMALINK

And she is siding with Palin on the teenage daughter issue.

Actually, she's siding with Amanda Marcotte and other feminist bloggers in pointing out that there's no need to attack the teenage daughter in order to go after the horrible policies of the mother.

So I'm assuming you also agree with Amanda that the problem here is that Palin is claiming that her daughter made a free choice even though Palin wants to deny every other woman in America the opportunity to make her own choice, too?

Posted by: Mnemosyne on September 3, 2008 at 11:08 AM | PERMALINK

"I'll FEIGN a BRAIN, act SANELY for McCAIN!"

"I think she's got it!!"

Posted by: sullijan on September 3, 2008 at 11:08 AM | PERMALINK

Heh, sullijan, good one!

Posted by: Lucy on September 3, 2008 at 11:11 AM | PERMALINK

"President Bush cut taxes (we received $2000 back)"

"And then we spent it all on gas."

Gail, if you're hurting so damned much, why don't you ask a faith-based initiative for help?

And FYI: the only good news coming out of Iraq is that the soldiers are getting to come home. (then, back to the real front, Afghanistan)

Posted by: 61days on September 3, 2008 at 11:12 AM | PERMALINK

I am very tired of CBS, NBC and ABC and so-called "magazines" ... don't you all just print or report the news anymore?

Gail, they gave up printing the actual news during the Clinton years when they found out they could just reprint rumors about Bill Clinton dealing drugs and Hillary Clinton being a lesbian and not have to do any actual work.

Republicans spent 15 years turning the media into a political smear machine and now they're upset that the smear machine is turning on them. Boo hoo.

The gas prices that are killing us so we have no money to pay doctor bills, house payments, food and utilities. What about all that!!!!!

You do know what John McCain wants to do about gas prices, right?

Nothing. He wants to allow more drilling that might get us a few million more barrels of oil 10 or 20 years down the road. But he never even mentions increasing refining capacity and, without that, the oil we pump out of the ground is useless. You can't put crude oil in your car -- it needs to be refined into gasoline before you can use it.

If you're upset about the past 8 years, why on earth would you vote for McCain to continue the same policies that put us in this hole in the first place?

Posted by: Mnemosyne on September 3, 2008 at 11:14 AM | PERMALINK

Over the past week, I have been struggling with my views on what may be the RESULTS of McCain's choice of Palin. Like most others who post here, I think she is weak on foreign policy; I have also concluded that she is a bizarre person. Who gets on an airplane for a long flight while in labor? Honestly.

That said, I think she was picked to arouse the Religious Right, and as far as I can tell, it is "Mission Accomplished." Pundits who initially dismissed her as unqualified are now persuaded by the "political savvy" of this choice. Country first? Country be damned. This could be a winning strategy! Voter turnout! Contributions! John McCain is crazy like a fox. This sort of thinking also leads to the famous "soft bigotry of low expectations," which always put the wind at Dubya's back. She just has to show up and mouth platitudes and she will be declared victorious. Obamaa and Biden are subject to high expectations and - no matter how well they do - the bar will forever be higher for them. Ms. Hockey Mom is a dangerous candidate. She may not be a policy wonk, but I think she knows how to push the buttons of her target audiences. I also think she is ruthless, and that's a good thing from the POV of supporters. They LIKE a mayor who looks for a way to ban books in the public library that they believe are offensive. This is not scary to them; it is exactly what they are looking for. At least the pundits are stating explicitly that this choice is about telegraphing to the Theocrats that SCOTUS will be theirs for the taking if they elect John McCain.

In the meantime, those of us who are tire of the trainwreck that is Republicans in power at the national level, are left to be sickened by this spectacle, and pray those who pride themselves on being in the center will see that the risk of voting McCain/Palin far exceeds any trepidation they feel about Obama/Biden.

Posted by: TuiMel on September 3, 2008 at 11:17 AM | PERMALINK

"If she's afraid of CNN, how can she be expected to take on serious global challenges?"

HAHAHA

McShame has cancelled his appearance on CNN's Larry King.
LMAO - if he is afraid of that worn out softball pitcher, how will he be able to stand up to, gulp - any pissed off teenager.

Posted by: olo on September 3, 2008 at 11:25 AM | PERMALINK

Palin will not be allowed a single interview with a bona fide journalist between now and Nov 4. Not one.

At this point, even Fox would be tough, as there's simply no guide as to what would be a safe, gaffe-free topic.

Posted by: drinkof on September 3, 2008 at 11:32 AM | PERMALINK

While trying to comprehend the Republicans choice of Sarah Palin, their praise of her background and accomplishments, and their cataloging of her supposed virtues,one fuzzy theme keeps popping into my mind:

"Leave it to Beaver."

Posted by: alibubba on September 3, 2008 at 11:35 AM | PERMALINK

"And she is siding with Palin on the teenage daughter issue."

And so did Obama. Your point is?

"People underestimate Sarah Palin’s influence on an America-2008 election. Sarah gets to speak tonight."

BoB, why hasn't she spoken to the press already? She's being coached. This is someone even the GOP speaker of the Alaska house said, "she talks a good game, outside of specifics. When you get to specifics, she has a little more difficulty with that." And *that's what her allies in Alaska say*. The leader of the Democrats in the Alaska house said he doubted she'd read any economics textbook in her life. You better hope she's a quick study.

Think about it: given the past five days drip-drip-drip of questions and scandal, isn't it a bit odd that Palin hasn't given a major interview? Not even to Fox?

Or, put another way: if you were McCain, would you be wishing you'd chosen Huckabee instead (who'd already been vetted, had more experience, and was already experienced as a national campaigner, and is a more talented politician)? Picking Palin neutralized any GOP, the smears linking Obama to Ayers (given Palin's links to the secessionist AIP), using Rev. Wright against Obama (given the extreme views that the preacher in Palin's church has expressed). And the Democratic opposition researchers have barely got off the plane to Wasilla. When they start going through the city council and newspaper archives, there's going to be all kinds of embarrassing stuff there.

Wouldn't you feel better with Huckabee instead of Palin on the ticket? Given that, isn't the choice of Palin the most base pandering and misconceived case of affirmative action you've ever heard of?

The best thing for the GOP is if Palin bombs tonight, in which case in a week's time she might get Harriet Myer-ed and issue a statement withdrawing from the campaign "because of the strain on her family" and that she needs to spend more time caring for her kids. And the GOP base can make her a martyr. If she delivers a competent speech, she'll just drag on the ticket for months and months. So, personally, as an Obama supporter, I'm hoping that she delivers a competent speech tonight, to maximize the later damage she'll do to the GOP.

But feel free to delude yourself that it's all an artifact of the librul media.

Posted by: Sock Puppet of the Great Satan on September 3, 2008 at 11:36 AM | PERMALINK

It's simple. They are fairly confident of her oratorical skills, but not of her actual reasoning abilities. They hope that her speech tonight will wow the press and make them less likely to ask hard question of her afterward.

If the MSM reverts to form that's a good bet. If the MSM continues as it has immediately following the Palin pick they'll pick the speech apart and then they will do the same to her given the opportunity to interview her.

I think the MSM is unlikely in this case to revert to form. The blood is already in the water and there is no way to get rid of the sharks.

Posted by: rege on September 3, 2008 at 11:39 AM | PERMALINK

Gail, I gotta ask, what, exactly, is a "so-called 'magazine?'" When is a magazine NOT a magazine? "Nuh-uh, that cover's hard, THAT'S a BOOK!"

I hope you one day earn enough McCain points to earn yourself a clue. Of course, since you're earning McCain points, a clue would be wasted on you.

Posted by: slappy magoo on September 3, 2008 at 11:40 AM | PERMALINK

LMAO @ Slappy

>:-[]

Posted by: MsMuddler on September 3, 2008 at 11:44 AM | PERMALINK

When she reads this thing off the telepromter realize one thing: Not one word will be her own. Not one. The RNC speechwriters have been fretting over this speech like no other. I expect them to play the victim card in a very subtle way.

But here is the thing: They've lost the news cycle for four days. A mudslide of offal has descended on the Palin brand. Even with a perfect performance she's got no where to go but down. In essense: Palin's big speech dice-roll is sisyphean. The die has already been cast: Craps!

Note to future presidential candidates:

Never let the internet vet your Veep for you.
That's a wee bit dumb.


Posted by: koreyel on September 3, 2008 at 11:46 AM | PERMALINK

I think Rosen nails it. Completely nails it. Give the middle someone to hate besides Bush that is the angry left and the elite media (with a bit of angry black men thrown in for good measure) and let the woman play the victim. Mccain gets to be the protector of all that is good and right in America.

Posted by: chat on September 3, 2008 at 11:46 AM | PERMALINK

Jeff S.: "isn't it a little, ahem, politically explosive that the founder of the Alaska Independence Party died in a plastic explosives deal gone bad?"

No, because Sarah Palin was not a member of the AIP.

She is the governor of a state where the AIP exists; she's also the governor of the only state where everyone knows the AIP is a joke.

Posted by: Grumpy on September 3, 2008 at 11:52 AM | PERMALINK

Are Gail and Brick Oven Bill sharing their psychotropic drugs and mixing them for maximum intoxicating effect?

Posted by: Blue Girl on September 3, 2008 at 12:06 PM | PERMALINK

But he never even mentions increasing refining capacity and, without that, the oil we pump out of the ground is useless. You can't put crude oil in your car -- it needs to be refined into gasoline before you can use it.
Posted by: Mnemosyne

What do you want him to do? Nationalize Exxon and make them build a new refinery? Let gas prices go high enough so there is economic incentive to do so? Offer tax credits or other incentives to artificially skew the preference? Have the government declare imminent domain on some land and provide it to a refiner to get past the NIMBY against refineries?

Posted by: SJRSM on September 3, 2008 at 12:13 PM | PERMALINK

trying to show her of some dizzy corrupt lying republican

Palin's already doing that, by addressing the GOP convention.

Posted by: Gregory on September 3, 2008 at 12:16 PM | PERMALINK

She is the governor of a state where the AIP exists; she's also the governor of the only state where everyone knows the AIP is a joke.

So sending a video pep talk to their 2008 convention was part of the joke?

Red State Mike wrote: What do you want him to do?

Admit his drill-drill-drill energy policy can't work because of the reasons you cited?

Posted by: Gregory on September 3, 2008 at 12:26 PM | PERMALINK

Quote: "She hasn't demonstrated any knowledge of or interest in federal issues in her brief career . . . . "

Not true; She has been very active in securing federal funding earmarks from the Congress!

Posted by: Tom on September 3, 2008 at 12:32 PM | PERMALINK

I hope the religious right wake up to this cynical pander. Palin will have no role and her values will play no part in McCain's government. She is already being hidden and marginalized. Her only constitutional power will be presiding over any 50/50 votes in the Senate, otherwise she is and will be window-dressing.

Posted by: sdc on September 3, 2008 at 12:41 PM | PERMALINK

The bar is set very low for Palin, not by Democrats, but by Republicans. All she has to do is be animated and say the same kinds of things she has heretofore said (which ain't much), and I guarantee you that the Reep spin machine will be out in full force telling us all how dazzling she was. Any disagreement with that will be followed by accusations of sexism, done in a smarmy, insincere style that will nevertheless be persistent.

And she will receive and accept the nomination for VP.

If she does become popular in conservative circles as a result of this, which seems plausible, I think a great jiu-jitsu move is to point out how much more enthusiasm there is for her than there is for McCain, every step of the way. Reep crowds aren't interested in him, they're interested in her, even though she'll be #2 and merely kneeling at 'the foot of the master', whatever that means. And keep reminding them that McCain, the one they couldn't for the life of them get enthused about, is leading the ticket.

Posted by: Bob Loblaw on September 3, 2008 at 12:52 PM | PERMALINK

I predict that no matter how well she does, MSM pundits will be impressed, and talk about how she exceeded their expectations and really "connected" with voters.

I also predict that I will be mad at Bob Loblaw for a long time, for taking the screen name I wanted to adopt.

Posted by: Spero Melior on September 3, 2008 at 1:04 PM | PERMALINK

And continuing that thought, isn't that how it always is for the Christian Right? That for all their bluster and political force, they never really get what they want from the political party they align themselves so closely to? They've had 8 years of Bush - Bush! - who was 'one of them', and made sure to dog-whistle to them so that they knew it. And yet, for all their fervent support of him, what have they gotten from it? What have they achieved out of their agenda, after 8 years of Bush, the most Christian Right-friendly president they could imagine, along with 6 years of a rubber-stamp Republican-led Congress and a spineless Democratic minority?

Squat. Well, that's not totally true. They did get to replace Sandra Day O'Connor with Alito. But that won't pay off for a long time, if ever, especially if Obama wins on Nov 4.

But as far as accomplishments in the here and now? Nothing. And that's with the most favorable candidate they're ever going to have in the next 25 years, if not longer. What do they think they're getting in McCain? They clearly don't even like or trust the guy, despite his groveling and excessive pandering. I guess they're just hoping he's their Trojan Horse, so they can ram their next True Savior, Sara Palin, through to the Presidency without having been vetted, or gone through any sort of grueling primary.

Well, I guess I can't blame them for trying. But really, the rift between the country-club Reeps and the social/religious conservatives is going to be very accentuated in the next few years, regardless of the outcome of this election.

Posted by: Bob Loblaw on September 3, 2008 at 1:08 PM | PERMALINK

Even if Gov. Palin is silent, this speaks volumes about John McCain's poor judgment in picking this clearly unqualified woman to be his VP selection. We now know that he only met her once face to face, six months ago at the National Governor's Assoc. When she made or was added to his list, he only interviewed her ONE time, by phone. The second time he met her, face to face, was the day he offered her the VP slot.

As my son pointed out to my wife and I, when he was in college, he had to have THREE interviews and take a written psychological test to get a summer job bussing tables at Outback Steakhouse but McCain was reckless enough to offer Palin the job based on only one phone and one face to face interview. This proves, if anyone had a doubt, that despite McCain's slogan, he puts politics about country in this election.

Posted by: ron on September 3, 2008 at 1:59 PM | PERMALINK

How weird is it that John McCain calls Sarah Palin his
soul mate?
Why is that term not reserved for Cindy McCain?

Posted by: Aatos on September 3, 2008 at 3:08 PM | PERMALINK

How weird is it that John McCain calls Sarah Palin his
soul mate? Why is that term not reserved for Cindy McCain?

She's already a "cunt", a "trollop", and Mrs. Buffalo Chip - isn't that enough?

Posted by: Bob Loblaw on September 3, 2008 at 3:14 PM | PERMALINK

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Posted by: nvjz pinzrxbk on September 7, 2008 at 2:39 PM | PERMALINK
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