Perhaps the most important aspect to this pick is that it was a reactive, desperate ploy. Obama began by playing the change music and now, after what is probably the best organized, most disciplined convention in Democratic Party history, McCain has to throw the long ball way down the field. Perhaps, Obama's true genius lay in giving the Clintons' both their due and yet putting his stamp on it at the end. It was a WOW!!

The McCain choice that really would have put the game in play was Tom Ridge. Ohio and PA would have been really up for grabs. But the ideologues would not hear of it. Why not Pawlenty? He would have put Minnesota in play - maybe. Romney theoretically would have been a step-up in Michigan.

The only reason for this pick is an attempt by McCain to go for the disaffected Hillary vote. But I know Hillary Clinton, Palin is no Hillary Clinton. Palin is totally anti-thetical to the Clknton die-hards.

I am sure Hillary will campaign doubly hard for Obama now.

BUT, here's the big but, I think she takes Alaska out of play. Score three electoral votes for McCain. Now he only needs 267 more.

johnklotz.blogspot.com

It's amazing how hypocritical the Right can be and how self-righteous when caught inflagrante.

There is an important public issue here. It's sex education. Something that is a national issue. McCain and Palin and their ilk want abstinence only. Yet, they know that it doesn't work. Palin's daughter will be well cared for but what about all the girls who don't have the benefits that Ms. Palin has? Who's pregnancy is a one way ticket to either an abortion or a life of welfare servitude?

I agree whole heartedly that abortion should be safe and rare. But the best way to prevent abortion is to prevent kids getting pregnant through ignorance.

That McCain., Palin et al support abstinence only education while there own children ignore their teachings is hypocrisy.

It's always tough when your opponent has the stage and the spotlight and proves to be infuriating, but in a boxing match, a football game or a trial, it has to happen at some point. In a baseball game, they get their turn at bat. In court, I tell my clients that I can’t break their pencils.

Frankly, I'd be interested to see just how many people are watching the Republican chaos they are calling a convention.

Obama's acceptance speech outdrew the opening of the Olympics. Will McCain's tonight?

This is tough watching the "family values" display of Palin's dysfunctional family, watching Cyndi NcCain's haute couture, listening to Rudy Giuliani pretending he's other than a totally disgraced human being on both a personal and political level.

This generation of American's has a rendezvous not just with destiny but it's soul. The collapse of the Republican Party into a chaotic mess all the while blathering pseudo-patriotic attacks on the Democrats, challenges our view of ourselves like nothing else in a generation.

Palin is selling snake oil manufactured by right-wing extremists. It's her turn in the spotlight. I pray that, and I believe, the public isn't buying this time.

johnklotz.blogspot.com