TWITTERING: They Have Nothing To Run On

Some Brief Thoughts:

• First impressions are important, and while Sarah Palin gave a strong speech, her mocking and condescending belittling of the Democratic opponent will not play well down the middle. The McCain camp is breaking hard right. Goodbye Michigan, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Colorado.
• Rudy Giuliani should stick to eating meatballs.
• After two full days at the RNC they have yet to propose any vision for the future. No mention of the economy, no mention of Iraq, no mention of the challenges posed by a nuclear Iran, and how those challenges should be addressed.
• NOVELTY: The Republicans are not running on issues. The McCain campaign has run entirely on the themes of Service, Courage, Honor, and now Maverick Women. This is a big issue election. People want to know about how Washington is going to help make healthcare more available, jobs more plentiful, energy more affordable, and how they plan to restore America's standing in the world. NOVELTY wears off quickly in an election that is about issues. Look for this happen as we approach the end of September.
• They are lying through their teeth and the media should not be intimidated by charges of sexism and elitism. They should be called on every lie.
• The one and only barometer to judge the selection of a VP is whether or not that person is qualified to become President if necessary. Governor Palin did not make the case that she is ready to be President in her speech tonight.

When you're on the right side of the issues, you don't need to retort to gimmicks.

The McCain approach to the RNC tells you exactly who's on the right and wrong side of the issues.

Politics as Usual: The Art of the 'Bad News' Dump

With nearly all media attention directed at the ongoing situation on the Gulf, the McCain camp has decided today would be an opportune time to drop a few tidbits on us:

Tidbit #1:

"Sources close to Sarah Palin tell The Brody File that the husband of the GOP Vice-presidential choice, Todd Palin, was arrested and charged with Driving under the Influence of alcohol back in 1986. He was 22 years old at the time. He was driving in a truck with some friends in the small southwestern Alaska town of Dillingham when he was pulled over for the DUI. As is customary, he was taken to jail briefly. Sarah and Todd Palin were high school sweethearts so they were dating at the time. The Brody File can also report that there was no accident or injuries."

"Sources close to Sarah Palin also tell The Brody File that Todd Palin has been 'forthcoming about the situation and has indicated that it was a lesson learned from when he was younger.'"

Tidbit #2: Governor Sarah Palin's 17 year old daughter, Bristol Palin, IS 5 MONTHS PREGNANT

Reuters: "The 17-year-old daughter of Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is pregnant, Palin said Monday in an announcement intended to knock down rumors by liberal bloggers that Palin faked her own pregnancy to cover up for her child.
Bristol Palin, one of Alaska Gov. Palin's five children with her husband, Todd, is about five months pregnant and is going to keep the child and marry the father, the Palins said in a statement released by the campaign of Republican presidential candidate John McCain.

Bristol Palin made the decision on her own to keep the baby, McCain aides said. 'We have been blessed with five wonderful children who we love with all our heart and mean everything to us,' the Palins' statement said. 'Our beautiful daughter Bristol came to us with news that as parents we knew would make her grow up faster than we had ever planned. As Bristol faces the responsibilities of adulthood, she knows she has our unconditional love and support,' the Palins said."

McCain Campaign Statement:

"We have been blessed with five wonderful children who we love with all our heart and mean everything to us. Our beautiful daughter Bristol came to us with news that as parents we knew would make her grow up faster than we had ever planned. We're proud of Bristol's decision to have her baby and even prouder to become grandparents. As Bristol faces the responsibilities of adulthood, she knows she has our unconditional love and support."
"Bristol and the young man she will marry are going to realize very quickly the difficulties of raising a child, which is why they will have the love and support of our entire family. We ask the media to respect our daughter and Levi's privacy as has always been the tradition of children of candidates."

Did the McCain Campaign know before today?

Why did Palin not refer to 'this blessing' in her introduction on Friday?

How will the Evangelical community react?

Begs the question: Was Sarah Palin properly vetted?

If the McCain campaign did know about Bristol Palin's pregnancy, how will the Republican base react to his brushing it aside as a 'non-issue'?

Why choose this moment to release the news?

Is the McCain campaign taking advantage of the unfortunate circumstances in the Gulf?

**STAY TUNED FOR MORE MEDIA REACTION**

 

Palin's Israel Connection: Pat Buchanan? (FLORIDA, FLORIDA, FLORIDA)

disclaimer: as a T.V. personality, I love Pat Buchanan

Does John McCain suddenly have a Florida problem?

Democratic Congressman Robert Wexler lashed out at John McCain's running mate Sarah Palin, saying the choice was an insult to Jewish Americans because of her support for Pat Buchanan.

"John McCain's decision to select a vice presidential running mate that endorsed Pat Buchanan for President in 2000 is a direct affront to all Jewish Americans, "Wexler's announcement said. "Pat Buchanan is a Nazi sympathizer with a uniquely atrocious record on Israel, even going as far as to denounce bringing former Nazi soldiers to justice and praising Adolf Hitler."

Buchanan has said that Palin indeed backed him in the past. However, the Alaska governor's support may have been related to Buchanan's domestic policy, rather than his foreign policy views.

ELDERLY JEWISH-AMERICANS IN BROWARD AND PALM BEACH COUNTY WON'T SOON FORGET 'ACCIDENTIALLY' VOTING FOR BUCHANAN IN 2000.

WILL A VOTING BLOC THAT HAS BEEN SUSPICIOUS OF AN OBAMA CANDIDACY BEGIN TO TAKE A SECOND LOOK?

COULD THIS BE THEIR OPPORTUNITY FOR PAYBACK?

**STAY TUNED**

Governor Sarah Palin: McCain's Trap Door?

Reckless! Irresponsible. Crazy...Inexperienced:

These are just a few of the adjectives being used to describe Republican nominee John McCain's choice for his Vice Presidential running mate, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.

Let me go out on a limb and add another one: shrewd.

Yes, shrewd. This is how the McCain camp has gamed this selection out:

The Announcement

To the complete and utter surprise of the entire Washington and media establishment, Senator John McCain selects little-known Alaska Governor, Sarah Palin to be his running mate. With just under two years of experience under her belt, the selection rocks the country and re-establishes equilibrium in the coverage of both campaigns.

The Reaction

Hair trigger response from the Obama campaign. Slams McCain for choosing an inexperienced Governor with zero foreign policy experience.

Enter the Trap Door

The McCain camp quickly responds that Senator Obama and Governor Palin (Governor is an impressive title, even if it is in Alaska) have in fact both served in public roles for roughly the same number of years, and hence, have the same level of experience.

The Gamble

The McCain camp was hoping to get exactly the reaction it did. They are betting that in Obama making the experience case against Governor Palin, he is in fact making the case against his very own candidacy. In making the case for his candidacy, they feel that he in some way validates her existence on the ticket. A classic trap door.

The Remedy

Turn her into a pedestrian. Ignore her and solely focus on McCain.

 

On The Road: Where Are They Saturday?

11 AM: Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Hillary and Bill Clinton will be attending a Cleveland, Ohio memorial service for Stephanie Tubbs Jones, the Congresswoman and staunch Clinton supporter who passed tragically last week from a brain aneurysm.

5 PM: John McCain and Sarah Palin hold a "Road to the Convention" event in Washington, Pennsylvania.

THINGS TO WATCH 

Chemistry: How will the two interact onstage together. During Palin's introductory speech John McCain seemed a tad bit uncomfortable standing next to her. What kind of visual image will we get?

The Stump: How is she on the stump? Will she be able to connect with voters?

**ACCESSABILITY**

Is she ready for what the National Press Corps is about to throw her way? To what lengths will the McCain camp go to shield her from the press? This is a key point to watch.