Now the real battle begins.

Obama declared that this election would be about the voters, not about him.

Contrary to popular opinion I truly believe Obama's foreign policy credentials are not being measured against McCain. This is too easy to consider.

I watch with interest from afar how Condi Rice will be used by the Republicans against the Obama juggernaut.

Sarah Palin?

She embodies the same semiotic of naïve political sophistry that dog whistles those sick of elites in politics. She won’t have to have an in-depth knowledge of foreign policy, or economic management, or the history of America for that matter. She’s Tammy standing by her man, she’s the coal miner’s daughter, the all American girl who happens to come from Alaska. Palin is not simply McCain’s choice for VP but rather the love child of GWB and those who voted for him over the last 8 years.

C'mon, we should instinctively know Palin is a straw - woman waiting to be set alight.

She's a wonderful target, easy for us to shoot and skin. But that is exactly what the Repubs want us to do.

Instead, take her on with the real questions about running the nation, take her on by asking her to outline in detail the policy of the Republicans, ask her what the capital of Iran is, anything but her own opinions about herself, her family, her dog, etcetera.

Yes the cult of celebrity is often difficult not to engage with but at the end of the day people will vote not for the celebrity but for policies that align to their own aspirations and issues.

Mark my words, Palin will not be able to extrapolate beyond the patriotic one liners they have tutored her with in any sophistication.

Just imagine her going one on one with Billery!

The one liners will gradually reveal themselves to be so empty and insipid. Attack her 40’ish Barbie doll persona and those rehearsed one liners will keep her alive.

Love your work Joan!

If you actually count how many human beings on this planet have dark shiny hair you will find these are predominately people of colour. Not as Stephanie Zacharek insists - that this is an exclusively “white" characteristic.