Until recently I was feeling energized about the election. But all these disgusting, diversionary falsehoods are really getting me down. Nothing gets learned, and each election cycle this stuff begins again.

That egocentric troll threw the 2000 election, and while his results in 2004 were negligible, they always present a problem for Dems.

He kept saying in 2000 there was no difference between Dems and Repubs. Bullshit, he knew better but decided to run and split the vote anyway.

Fuck him!

How many spankings has McCain had by prominent conservative pundits or editorial boards the past week?

Nice to see there are still a few honest conservatives who are at least willing to call bullshit when they see it.

Hey Gang,

Remember the old rule:

DO NOT FEED THE TROLLS!!!

"I can multi-task and he can't."

Who would you rather have in a crisis? Someone who is steady or someone who panics when the poll numbers start dipping?

Only 10% say McCain should not debate, 3/4 say candidates should NOT suspend campaign

http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReportUC.aspx?g=54d651a7-a62b-4420-bb32-9dd6b2df8c02

If these numbers hold in the coming days, McCain might have really screwed up.

I also believe this is one of the motivations behind McCain's campaign "suspension" yesterday. (We know he's not really suspending his campaign; this is just different twist in his campaign.)

I think McCain's folks looked at the interview and upcoming VP debate and thought "We've got to change the subject away from this interview and away from the VP depate pronto!" I think the McCain team is horrified--rightly so--at days of the news cycle focused on Palin's readiness of VP.

Like you Glenn, I also found it painful to watch and actually felt sorry for her, and agree with you about her lack of ideas or concealment of her actual ideas.

Scary.

She could be president as soon as Jan. 21.

I'm curious: why do you think conservatives would like it? I can see them rallying behind her if the big bad media (i.e., Couric) was picking on her, but it seemed like a fair interview. (Of course, that won't stop them from claiming Couric was picking on her.)

After seeing the second clip it's crystal clear she is not ready to be Pres, should the situation arise. This is awful.

This goes beyond stances on particular issues, this gets to whether she knows or can discuss ANYTHING other than issues of importance to Alaska. It's frightening how ill prepared she is.

"My guess: Replace Palin with Chuck Norris"

Depressing thought of the day: Chuck would probably be an improvement.

But boy, this all looks very flakey. I'm still not sure what to make of it all. One thing a lot of people like about Bush is that he appears as decisive. McCain can't claim this ground.

Your thoughts about the upcoming VP debate echo mine.

I agree that one of the major reasons for these antics is to attempt to postpone the VP debate. After her interview with Couric, McCain's staff has probably lost a lot of sleep fretting about what to do with her.

Unfortunately, the interview seems to be a bit under the radar thanks to recent headlines. (Score one for McCain.) It should be watched by everyone. The thought that as soon as Jan 21 she could be President is frightening. But al least at the VP debate, she will be examined and scrutinized by millions. It wouldn't surprise me to see another diversionary tactic by McCain next week.

BTW, conservative columnist Kathleen Parker has a column today in which she urges Palin to step down because she is "Way out of her league."

Yep, she said. Worth reading, IMHO.

http://townhall.com/columnists/KathleenParker/2008/09/26/the_palin_problem

Here's the thing. I expect McCain to nominate some right wing nutjob to appease the base.

Fine, go ahead. I get that.

But the issue with Palin, to me, is more of a fundamental issie about incompetence. We need someone who can actually stand in interviews or before other leaders and articulate what she wants to do and why. We need someone who can actually run the government! And I think a lot of conservatives such as Brooks, Will, Noonan, Krauthammer, are very concerned about this, especially after the Couric interview.

I agree it won't happen. She'll still be on the ballot in November.

But I think it's very interesting to read conservative columnists openly question her qualifications to govern.

I had to read it three times to make sure I was understanding her correctly. Was I really reading that Parker was urging Palin to drop out? Did an alien sieze Parker, clone her, and put "her" back on earth with a brain?

Yep. But it could work. I'm sure his advisors gave that word-"naivete"--a lot of thought.

According to a CNN poll I saw last night, 53% of the population still have a favorable rating. So while according to the poll the unfavorable rating was rising, there is still a lot of people uninformed about her, frankly. If more people saw the Couric interview where she was unable to see to say even just one coherent thought, they'd be appalled. McCain lucked out by having that interview drowned out by a very busy news week.

I think McCain should've picked Huckabee. He would've excited the base and would not have embarrassed the campaign in interviews.

I meant--favorable view of Palin.

I need some coffee!