Here's what I don't believe . . .

[MrModerate]

1) I don't believe Obama has been caught flat-footed by Palin. On the contrary, I see his campaign realizing that the media (and even the voters) were astounded by her selection, fascinated/appalled, and (in the case of wingnuts) energised. Trying to wish away that "American Idol" response would have been foolish and impractical. Much better to roll with the punch, staying on message in appearance after appearance, and patiently living with the media's bowerbird fascination with the newest shiny object to come into view until it dies down.

Ultimately -- and especially 60 some-odd days out from November -- attention paid to Palin will lead to her destruction. We're seeing it now.

2) I don't believe this was an especially brilliant move by the McCain campaign. Shooting off a Roman candle doesn't do you much good if you get to the finish line with a cold, burnt stub. Palin and the increasing load of lies needed to shore up her credibility are becoming albatrosses around McCain's neck. And, worst of all (from McCain's point of view) the media, which previously weren't (supposedly) paying sufficient attention to him, are now ripping him up one side and down the other for his lies. Basically, they've turned on him. And, while almost nothing the media does could surprise me, I don't see how they'll transition back to adoration in the next 7 weeks.

I think Schmidt and Co. have shot themselves in the foot and are now bleeding to death.

[DarthDem]

1. Agree 100%

Nicely said. There wasn't any way that Palin's "celebrity" (hey, it's not *my* term) status was going to last until Election Day, but I also think that the growing pack of lies that makes up her very essence is going to be a huge problem going forward. Just in the last 24 hours or so, we have:

-Lying about crowd sizes
-ANOTHER distortion of the Bridge to Nowhere
-She didn't, as claimed, go to Iraq
-She told Gibson that Alaska produces 20% of the U.S. supply of energy, when in fact it's closer to 3 or 4%.

She's going down fast, and taking McClown with her. Sorry for any unintended visuals.

[tblue]

2. Me, too. And McSame's rep for honesty and integrity, which is what got him the nom, is DEAD.

Not that any of us ever believed it.

[stray cat]

3. agree - the media story line is out of line - he hasn't looked rattled at all.

[the other one]

4. It didn't hurt Bush I with Quayle.

Well, maybe it did hurt, but it didn't stop him from becoming president.

[dansolo]

5. Dukakis was a horrible candidate

There is no comparison between Obama and Dukakis.

[MrModerate]

6. Quayle wasn't brought aboard to rescue a sinking campaign . . .

And wasn't subjected to the same Internet-fueled limelight. Also, he was less of a dick.

Besides, the vice presidency didn't have the profile it has now, in a post-Gore, post-Cheney world (I don't think anyone can argue they changed the role of VP forever).

[FrenchieCat]

8. And Bush wasn't 72 years old, with recurring bouts of cancer

and almost sounding senile, and had reversed himself on every single position there ever was.

[cliffordu]

7. Yep. Perfect!!

[RagAss]

9. Good Post....and he's fucking senile.

[1corona4u]

10. Agree.

[Stop Cornyn]

11. I also tend to see it this way. I hope I'm not overestimating the intelligence of the voters (again)

[Amonester]

12. Can't wait to see the Sunday Morning talk shows tomorrow...

All those lies to be exposed for every viewer to see...

And don't forget: "I am John McCain, and I approve this... pack of lies."

(Well, hope so, anyway.)

[salonghorn70]

13. Agree

Especially on point 2. If he had wanted a woman as VP, there are others who would have been more solid choices. If he had wanted someone that would energize the social conservatives, then again there are others who would have been more solid choices.

[jillan]

14. The thing they were so stupid about was that they thought they could just put her out there

and no one would ask questions, or try to find out who she was.