DIVIDED WE FAIL?

The madness of the RNC has left me reeling. Watching the fervor of the Republican crowd responding to such ruthless, cynical, and hateful rhetoric, I had to wonder whether the differences between Republicans and Democrats can ever be reconciled.

These conventions have been so polarizing. (Part of their purpose, no?)

I have to keep reminding myself that while I mock the RNC and consider about 99.6% of what was said there to be utter elephant dung, there are millions of Americans who watched the DNC last week thinking the same thing about my candidate and my issues.

Please excuse this morning's dopey prose. The coffee is still brewing.

PALIN: PIT BULL

What's the difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull? Lip stick.

-Sarah Palin


I imagine Sarah Palin's RNC address surprised a lot of people. She and her entire family have suffered a week of relentless media attacks, yet tonight, she spoke confidently, assertively, and passionately in a major speech that accomplished four vital tasks:

1. She defended herself, her family, her state, and her values.
   
2. She aligned herself with small town, working class America. From this point forward, as far as the GOP will have voters believe, an attack on Sarah Palin is an attack on rural, working class American values.
3. She vigorously attacked Barack Obama, rehashing his infamous "bitter" comment in San Francisco, mocking him as a celebrity, and furthering the claim that he is an elitist.
4. She evoked admiration for John McCain, breathing fresh life into his P.O.W. mythology.

The bar for Sarah Palin was not set that high, and she took advantage of that fact tonight with a speech that most certainly defied almost all expectations.

The Democrats are in a pickle--Sarah Palin has circumvented their early attacks. She can level harsh criticisms against the Democratic ticket, and at this point, they can't do much to refute her without seeming to alienate an entire, vital demographic.

Sarah Palin created a persona tonight that will be a huge boon for the Republicans. This could spell danger for the Democrats if they don't find a way to neutralize her rhetoric.