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Indeed, the question of qualification is a very different one from experience, and the Republicans are scrambling to hide that difference. Initially, they wanted to make the choice of Palin a referendum on Obama's experience, i.e., the number two on the Republican ticket had more experience as the number one on the Democratic. Aside from this being a dubious claim (Obama had dedicated himself to public service from his twenties, while Palin pursued what Republicans would now call selfish career goals as a beauty queen and sportscaster), this strategy is now coming back to haunt Repubs. One need only look at Obama compared to Palin to note that there is a real world difference between experience and capacity. Obama is very smart, very focused, and has spent a long time preparing for this moment. Palin is just not anywhere near this guy's league, she makes a good spokesperson, but she is just not a leader. And it becomes more obvious every time she opens her mouth. And thus, the Republicans have neatly ambushed their own best attack against Obama, that of lack of experience.
