I'm afraid we have a new player on the national field

[Hugabear]

Remember, it wasn't all that long ago when Obama himself was a virtual unknown. Prior to getting elected to the Senate, prior to his speech at the '04 convention, how many people outside of Illinois had really heard of him?

Let's not forget that Palin is the darling of the conservatives and evangelicals. I believe that they are more concerned about building up a new batch of leaders, gearing up for 2010 and beyond. They know that they've fucked up this country pretty badly. While I don't expect them to concede this election, I think it's a safe bet that they know they're going to get their asses kicked. They know damned well that Obama and the Democratic Congress are going to inherit one hell of a mess.

They are looking at 2010 to be 1994 re-visited. They know that things are going to get worse before they get better, and they'll be working overtime to blame the problems on the Democrats. They're already grooming the new batch of rethugs to run in '10, to try to win Congress back. And they're desperately looking for the new "poster boy" to carry their mantle in 2012. This year was a test run. They trotted out the likes of Ghouliani, Huckabee, and Romney, but didn't like what they saw in any of them. McCain was always their safe back-up plan for this year.

After they saw the lackluster response to this year's presidential field, they began looking nationwide for a New Hope. Charlie Crist? Nope, too 'liberal' on certain issues, and all those pesky gay rumors. Bobby Jindal? Nope, no real 'buzz' there. Kay Bailey Hutchinson? She's old school. Then, lo-and-behold, they happened to notice the governor of Alaska, Mrs. Palin. Unfortunately, they really didn't have enough time to bring her out on the national field earlier in the contest, so this still feels a bit 'rushed' for them. However, they're going to give her all the support they possibly can.

Assuming that McCain loses this election, watch for her to be the front-runner in 2012. I know it's still way too early, but I wouldn't be surprised to see a Palin/Huckabee ticket in '12.

[tabatha]

1. I think there is a lot of baggage about her that has to be unearthed.

[AndyA]

2. This is why the Democrats need to be transparent in the next couple of years.

They must hang the noose of the economy, the deficit, the war, health care and energy costs, and all the rest around the neck of those responsible:

The Republicans

And they need to remind America every chance they get why things are the way they are, who created the mess, and what the Dems are doing to straighten it out. If the Dems play their cards right, no one will be willing to chance a screw up like this one again.

But to be effective, the Dems must get the message out, in unison.

[eshfemme]

3. You might be right but they're coming up short.

Whatever Obama's experience, he fulfills the requirements of a leader: to lead and inspire. She's just... blah. I just don't see her as a leader-- not on Hillary's level. And no matter what you think of Hillary, she is a fucking leader (it just so happened that I preferred Obama's style of leadership is all). Palin got appointed to the position without any test of mettle or anything-- all the pressure to name Hillary was because of the primaries. Without them, there was nothing to say why Hillary should be named except for the token female card.

[crispini]

4. Ah! This has the ring of truth to it.

They've gotta build up the farm team all over again.

[roguevalley]

5. don't worry about Palin. Oppo will show her for what she is. she

is the worst.

[TrogL]

6. They want to lose this election

They have achieved all their goals. Congress is bankrupt. America is a theocracy. The economy is in a shambles with all the money ending up in Republican pockets and stashed offshore. Now they want a Democratic administration to rebuild America so they can destroy it again.

[speedoo]

7. She's not a player. She's a lightweight. nt