My theory: She wasn't trying to win for McCain, she was trying to win for the House and Senate races

[blondeatlast]

Why else make a direct appeal to the base with "Drill, Drill, Drill," her straight ahead answer to the gay marriage question (and damn you, Ifill, for giving her a quick pass on the benefits question), and terra, terra, terra?

These issues don't resonate with the swing voters but they drive the base to the polls in droves.

Combined with the insanity of the McCain camp leaving MI, I think that may be what that whole mess was all about.

Your thoughts?

[Barack_America]

1. I've been thinking about this ever since the RNC ran that anti-bailout ad...

When McCain himself was on-record as supporting the bailout.

[Trajan]

2. My theory: She was trying to rehabilitate herself ...

from being an absolute fruitcake the last week ....

She barely did that, by practicing for nearly a week straight to participate in a controlled debate ...

It wasnt shit ...

[blondeatlast]

4. True, but her overrehearsed talking points were directed squarely at the base--where they can't gain

votes.

Preaching to the choir is not an effective campaign strategy when you are polling behind.

[Trajan]

5. The fact they need to form a base ....

Bodes ill for their cause ....

They needed an explosion ... they got a 'phhhht' ....

They did not reach out ... they reached in ....

[Frances]

3. I think she is setting herself up to run for President in 4 years

[amitten]

6. Oh, good freakin' luck with that! Good God. n/t

[Iterate]

7. For herself, for the fundies

Forget policy, mastery, and good governance for a moment and ask yourself who she was speaking to, how fluid and natural or awkward and prepped.

Awkward and prepped -when she was speaking to the 'middle class' or swing voters.
Rehashing well rehearsed talking points -when speaking about McCain, plenty of time spent repeating them, but without easy conviction.
Natural and enthusiastic(or snarky) -religious codespeak and heavenly visions, Reagan and revival- speaking to the 20% converted.

She is in it for herself, gave the nothing to the other races, added nothing to McCain, and to my eye and ear is setting herself up as the Buchanan heir.