The question is not merely the dumbing down of the GOP, but the dumbing down of people worldwide. Capitalistic thievery has long existed, but once the republican party created their frankenstein babies, the multinationals, they began a new era of worldwide dominion, not forged, this time, by total military invasion and gas chambers, but by chemically manipulated food creating mass obesity, pharmaceutical dependence destroying bodies and minds, violent films, tv, video games, non-melodic anti music and drugged up compassless junk role models such as Hilton, Moss, Lohan, etc., mass consumerism, credit debt, destruction of unions and laws to protect the worker, frozen salaries and slave working hours, diasppearing benefits, downsizing and outsourcing to purposely destroy the work market, while enriching executives and CEO´s millions of percent with Midas salaries and benefits; the aim being to destrory society as a whole. They have succeeded far beyond their fascist master teacher´s wildest dreams. This whole destruction of the middle class, the economy, education, culture, knowledge, good taste, etc., and, coincidentally,(the only coincidence) the ecology, is purposeful. The father of the US´s ¨brilliant¨ leader has openly said that he would establish THE NEW WORLD ORDER, worldwide. He said it with a chilling smile, and he repeated that he would succeed in doing so. Does that slogan not remind you of its origins, a certain, strutting mustachioed Austrian mass murderer of 70 yrs. ago? Check out the history of the current ¨president´s¨ family and the planned overthrow of Roosevelt and the American govt. in the late 30´s and you may understand the true background and cause of this economic hecatombe.

that if the economy wasn't in such terrible shape, the GOP candidate, regardless of who he is, would've been easily elected as President. If Obama is elected, it wouldn't be because the majority of Americans became less dumb, but because they believed he would solve their economic problems. Interview after interview with uneducated whites, the demographics that is the GOP electoral base, indicate that their problems with Obama are mainly that he's a man of color and that he is supremely more educated than they are. Just think of it, the US is the only country in the world where a great education is considered by tens of million of voters to disqualify a candidate from becoming president. Without the rampant anti intellectualism in the US, the GOP wouldn't even exist. No wonder they are so hostile to education.

How much closer to sounding like a 10 year-old can you get than saying people who don't agree with you or vote the same way you do are dumb?

I can't understand why conservative Republicans would accept that they should be elated that their VP candidate is successful in a debate only because she didn't screw up as much as expected! But then again, after 8 years of "W" maybe that's what they have become accustomed to. If the country was not in such a mess right now the situation would be laughable.

Is it truly the case that no possible basis for voting Republican exists or could exist besides stupidity, ignorance, greed, gullibility &etc.?

-- Teleologicus

There is much to admire in the traditional axioms of the conservative creed. Fiscal responsibility and leaner more efficient government are indeed wonderful notions. But it takes more than simply parroting slogans about reform and accountability to exact real change and unfortunately Ms Palin has proven herself to be not much more than an attractive cheerleader without much real understanding about nor appreciation for not only history but the realities of globalization amidst a crumbling economy that we are facing (amongst many problems).

Anyone who listens to her knows that 1. she's seriously out of her depth and 2. She doesn't even believe the half-digested ideas that she's spouting. McCain although at one time a respectable politician with it seems some integrity has shown himself to have the lamentable tendency to careen from crisis to crisis with all the acumen of a bull in a china shop with again no ability to asses how we got here.

We've let the Republican Revolution run it's course and we now are seeing the end result of the Free Market Utopian wet dream and the Neocon notions of spreading democracy which when all is said and done are no more than wishful thinking and platitudes masquerading as cogent well-considered political theory. The results in Iraq have been an abject failure on a monumental scale rife with so much maleficence, graft and corruption, the full extent of which will take decades to asses. And yet we are told that the meager results and a tenoous political situation is a "SUCCESS". Yes, we've let the young republicans with their bravado and phony blind patriotism have their day. Talk about yer "Children's Crusade"! Sadly we must now clean up the mess.

Yes, the GOP has foisted this issue on us, but I'm afraid there are non-Republicans who have been enthralled by the Palin phenomenon. As a woman, I have felt insulted by her nomination; as a citizen of the U.S. I am outraged that at such a time, nay, at any time, McCain could have made so cynical a choice as his running mate. Who is it who will do anything to win the election? What McCain may have done is outraged so many of us, that we will be sure to vote - against him - this time.

"If Palin is so proud of being a Washington outsider, why is she so eager to become a Washington insider?"

To clean it up?

Be careful what you wish for. The selection of Sarah Palin was politically expedient - a woman in the White House - Mc Cain gave no thought to seletcting the best qualified candidate. The question for women is, Is it more important to have a woman as President or Vice President than it is to have a person who supports women's rights as President or Vice President? Reminds me of the nomination of Clarence Thomas by George H W Bush for the Supreme Court in 1991. After the Anita Hill mess, he was approved. This appointment was made because he was an African American, not because he was the best qualified candidate and African Americans were told they should be pleased. It did not matter that Clarence Thomas was about as far-right conservative as one can get. In 17 years, Clarence Thomas has never cited the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment in any of his decisions. He has voted with the conservative faction of the Supreme Court time and again. There has not been an African American appointed to the Supreme Court since Clarence Thomas and he continues to sit there and vote against everything that would further civil rights in America.

My point is that if you vote for Palin just because you want a woman in the White House - Just know what you are getting. Like Clarence Thomas, she is clearly not the best qualified, she does not support women's rights and I believe that in a position of authority as President or Vice President, she will do all in her power to halt and even erode all progress women have made on equality. So again, I repeat - Be careful what you wish for.

As much as I would love to see a woman in the White House, Sarah Palin is not the one who will stand up for women. I, for one would rather have Joe Biden in the White House. I am positive that supports women's rights and will continue to support legislation that promotes equality for all Americans!