http://apnews.excite.com/article/20081002/D93I46LG0.html

I'm surprised NOT to see this AP report making it to Salon--at least yet.

Yeah, Palin is not exactly Joe Six-Pack (as she claims, and I find her remarks to be condescending in context of the market she's trying to win)--hey, I've lived in small towns and big cities, that gives me some street creds, right?).

But that income statement and holdings are not like me. They are like those of some people I know, yes, even close family and close friends. Great for them! And I don't say that facetiously--I don't begrudge anyone wealth--that's not the issue--unless it's gotten at the expense of others. I learned last weekend of a cousin's company business plan, in the housing/construction market, which included taking care of their workers, and they anticipated at least two years ahead, and they sold off a paid-off jet and MLB tickets ($10,000yr) because how could they justify those expenses if they couldn't put that toward their employees keeping a job?

More to the point...

I do find hyprocrisy reprehensible. Always have. Even as a child. I'll spare you examples. There seem to be a few things wrong with the persons being called "elitists" [$$$$$$$-wise) and (education-wise) on both major political tickets.

If ya think, you know, my friends, that Palin is "one of you"--then go for it.

O'Herir:

<"I'm sorry, that's right--one of this year's candidates is a Muslim.">

1st question: WHICH ONE WOULD THAT BE? On the ticket we've got a Christian and a Catholic, a so-called or lapsed Christian and a Pentecostal evangelical who might talk in tongues and is on an admitted blessed mission from God, as ordained by a pastor witch-hunter.

2nd question: Even if any one of them were Muslim, what's wrong with that (providing he/she is not a radical Islamic terrorist plotting against the world)?. Being Muslim does NOT equal war not peace. Very important distinction.

3rd question: So why the apology?

(from p. 1...Obama is not a Muslim. The United Stupid of America never cease to amaze me.

-- aceniantor)

(from p.1...@aceniantor...I'm fairly certain Mr. O'Hehir was being ironic there...

-- John N.)

Irony not appreciated, even if intended. I thought it was lame and doesn't add to what's going on in the election now--even moreso because Independent Maher has actually come out in favor of the Democratic candidate this year. SORRY, O'Hehir, Bill can say it and get a laugh or chuckle. You, in context, put it into a place where insult could easily be construed. And hey, I'm a huge Maher fan, but I don't think he's right on everything, and I'm sure he wouldn't think I'm right on everything either.

SORRY from me that I'm tired of peace-loving Muslims getting shafted into the terrorist sects.

"Being forced to answer a straight question drives Palin to drivel, because she knows the straight answers, the ones she believes, the positions she has actually are political poison, so she has to evade -- don't let her."

I think your post offered great pointers--I just re-posted above one of the key elements you posited, IMHO. Palin doesn't seem able to answer very pointed questions. I've suggested some myself. That's not contradictive to the majority of politicians, rounding about the issues addressed; but given where she's at in this current political maelstrom, straight questions at Palin are a bugaboo to be exploited.

Facing facts, the debate-meisters aren't likely to be picking up pointers from here at Salon, but it's interesting to conjecture on our own and see what happens. I'm not worried about Biden holding his own. And--my what-the-heck pick of the week (kudos to Salon's King Kaufman for that phrase)--is that Biden will actually hold on to his tongue! A gaffe or two in the right direction only goes to good. I saw a couple of his "biggies" today which only made me like him more: (1) When asked (paraphrasing totally) if he could reassure voters that he could keep his mouth shut, he said "Yes"--with a long, long pause (as moderator Brian Williams figures out what the f**k is going on until he gets it; and (2) His lines about Giuliani (my former mayor, lived in NYC 20 years) managing that great line of the only words he [Giuliani] utters are "Noun--Verb--9/11." For those in the city with him on 9/11, I am thankful we had a mayor who knew the system and the buroughs and, I believe, truly cared. But the aftermath was not handled well, under his watch. Politics. A demoralized city. Not a great combo.

Anyway, we'll see what happens with the debate tomorrow night and the rest of this rollercoaster election. I'll go back to the beginning--I'll be looking for some "straight questions" to Palin. Those other two Prez debates...nobody knows. yet.

I am appreciating your response. I have watched Maher for years. He keeps me on my toes. (Such a corny expression, but so be it.) On most things, I agree with him. On most things, even if I don't agree, I laugh or at least "get it" and think further, on myriad topics. I know my own sense of spirituality and religion and everything thereof, and my own ain't typical. I don't always lean toward how far Maher goes in yanking on religion/spirituality, but I know where he comes from, and I rarely (count on one hand) take it offensively.

My perhaps less-than-level-headed response prior to yours was specifically directed to O'Hehir's comment about our having a Muslim candidate, which I didn't think rose to Maher's level of irony or satire, or, if I daresay, his beliefs, thus the O'Hehir comment failed, to me, miserably.