Allahpundit at Hot Air posits that the McCain campaign has fumbled the introduction of Sarah Palin as his VP candidate by allowing the left some time to define her before she’d defined herself in her big speech tonight. After a…

Oh please, Sarah hasn’t even addressed the convention. Her first speech will be more enthusiastically received than it would have been if she and her family had not been bombarded by vicious attacks from the left, including the MSM, for the last three days.

They apparently believed that this would earn them some credit with the media, but obviously they miscalculated.

Credit with the in the tank for Obama media? Do you think they are out of their minds? They concentrated on the hurricane because they knew that if they proceeded with the party in the face of it, they would have received a storm of opportunistic criticism from the media, some of which would have been believed by the public.

Instead John McCain has demonstrated that under his administration it’s Country First, party second.

Fatso Moore was right and wrong. This hurricane was a godsend, as it enabled the GOP to demonstrate its compassion and crisis management skills.

Ed is criticizing the McCain campaign for choosing to keep things non-political this weekend as Gustav headed for Louisiana, instead of going into attack-dog mode in defense of Palin.

Sounds like Monday morning—excuse me, Wednesday-night—quarterbacking to me.

I also can’t help but notice that this post puts Ed in a good position. If Palin knocks it out of the park tonight—as I suspect she will—Ed can then say tomorrow “Gov. Palin did exactly what I said she needed to do” and link back to this post.

Ed, I admire your work, and I especially admire the way you built yourself into a nationally-respected pundit from (literally) the ground up. You’ve are literally a self-made man. That’s why I’m so disappointed at your willingness to Monday-morning quarterback.

By all means, you have every right to your opinion. And, nothing is compelling me to read what you write. I read your work daily because of its quality. I just wish you’d give a bit more consideration to the people who actually lay it on the line every day and make (to the best of their ability) the tough judgement calls.

Or, at the very least, acknowledge that their job, in the public eye and on the blame line, is much harder to do than is yours, behind the safety of your keyboard.

Ed, are you interested in stepping up to the plate?

I hope that Senator McCain offers you a position of responsibility in his Administration. I’m looking forward to seeing your wisdom being employed on direct behalf of the American people, instead of being wasted behind a keyboard.

Will you accept?

They are being passive-aggressive. A mental disorder. Covered in DSM-IV. From what I’ve seen, based on these MSM and Dem types, seems to fit under Common Axis II disorders.

Lockstein13 on September 3, 2008 at 2:03 PM

You’re actually ’round to my…

“Dan Quayle in a ponytail”…?

Never happen…!

but, as you write:

“Update (AP): Between the Us magazine cover and Letterman’s Jerry Springer joke last night, I don’t think the worry is that she’ll be framed as inexperienced, I think it’s that she’ll end up being regarded as some sort of low-class freakshow whom no right-thinking person would take seriously. Even Gawker’s offended by the stereotype, but that’ll be a cold comfort if it catches on.”

…what strikes me is the “Eagleton” attack.

That is - as a former Dem – the “I’ve got my excuse, so I don’t have to think any further on the matter” argument (sic).

This is most effectively countered, in my opinion, by resounding, overwhelming ads and posts about the (forgive my use of a jaded term here but, in this case, it actually applies!) relevance of Ms. Palin to the yeah baby!* (* apply Austin Powers voice) and Zeitgeist of America in 2008.

Call these the “Palin Witch Trials”. Reminds me of the witch scene in Monty Python’s Holy Grail. The logic is about the same. Put a fake nose on her and call her a witch because she looks like a witch.

King of Katy on September 3, 2008 at 11:32 AM

Add a video link to this Monty Python scene, and you have a great campaign commercial.

That era is over.

Sic ‘em, Sarah.

“…So are you! In an icky, eeeeewwwww,… ManlyRash on September 3, 2008 at 12:07 PM

Manly, are you from southern California and have you been hangin’ with the girls…?

J_Gocht on September 3, 2008 at 12:29 PM

but you listen. you can’t help yourself, you’re drawn to the truth.

right4life on September 3, 2008 at 12:13 PM

You’re absolutely right. No pun intended.

Gotta know what kind of wily, shenanigans the other side is up too…?

“Keep a sharp eye and a close ear…!”

To keep my consciences clear, I never purchase anything he advertises; except for the “Breath Rite” nasal strips, he used to advertise.

Actually I have used them, but that was before Rush started to hawk them; so I’m still a virgin…!

It’s just too cute…!

J_Gocht on September 3, 2008 at 12:02 PM

its also made him tens of millions of dollars…you?

Romeo13 on September 3, 2008 at 12:03 PM

Agreed.

Here in Norfolk, one of the local AM talkshow hosts was postulating that choosing her doesn’t appeal to the “traditional” conservative values folks.

As a “traditional conservative” I can say that is dead wrong. I was juiced for my first time voting in 1988, and haven’t been particulary juiced since. I’m now juiced for this election.

Et tu Brute on September 3, 2008 at 12:05 PM

“Familiarity breeds contempt”.

Saturday till Tuesday, continuous coverage, Oh Ooo…!

I get the biggest kick out of how he always manages to restate every tiny, obscure quote, mention, or passing comment, anyone in the media ever makes concerning him or something he has said…

It’s just too cute…!

J_Gocht on September 3, 2008 at 12:02 PM

You’re easily entertained. Like a 2 year old watching Tele-Tubbies.

It’s just too cute…! – J_Gocht on September 3, 2008 at 12:02 PM

So are you! In an icky, eeeeewwwww, I-need-a-shower-now sort of way.

“Mikey” doesn’t agree with you, rockmom. – J_Gocht on September 3, 2008 at 11:08 AM

Heh. Weener Nation – the Original Frisco Freak. His audience #s are tanking…Mark Levin is kicking his ass in the ratings.

And silly us for thinking that the media would take a time out to devote some real journalism towards a potential disaster.

However:

…as a means of reconnecting her to voters.

Sorry, Ed. I don’t think we ever got disconnected. In fact, with the hysterical attacks mounting against Gov. Palin, the connection only got stronger.

My kitty says:

Has Obama been mentioned much in the media lately? Huh. All Palin, All The Time!

jim m on September 3, 2008 at 12:00 PM

Saw that poll… whats interesting to me is that it sure is not reflecting what I am seeing in my life…

I was NOT voting for McCain… now I am… and there are a LOT of conservatives out there like me…

This has not been reflected in the polling data, which is interesting… Palin was not JUST about the womans vote, but about Social Cons, and other small gov conservatives who do not trust Washington insiders to change anything…

Her pick cemented the base….

Update (AP):
I think it’s that she’ll end up being regarded as some sort of low-class freakshow whom no right-thinking person would take seriously.

In the battle between you and the world, bet on the world.

“…narcissist troll. Calm Before the Storm on September 3, 2008 at 11:50 AM

Does Rush post here too…?

I get the biggest kick out of how he always manages to restate every tiny, obscure quote, mention, or passing comment, anyone in the media ever makes concerning him or something he has said…

It’s just too cute…!

Know what would make the Left go balistic?

If as part of her speech tonight, she announced that she had talked to McCain about ANWAR, and he’d changed his mind on it…

MSM and Left would Freak… rest of America would cheer!

“If McCain’s strategy was to reach out to women voters, however, thus far it hasn’t been successful. The night after the announcement, slightly more women voters viewed Palin as the right choice for McCain’s running mate, but now 41% say she was not, versus 36% who still believe she was a good choice. Forty-one percent (41%) of women say they are less likely now to vote for McCain because of Palin, as opposed to 31% who say they are more likely to support him. Women voters were essentially even on this question in the earlier survey.

Men still back McCain’s decision. Forty-one percent (41%) say she was the right choice, while 37% disagree. Earlier, men favored the decision by a 43% to 31% margin. Forty-three percent (43%) of men voters say they are more likely to vote for McCain because of his choosing of Palin as a running mate, but 34% say they are less likely to do so. This is a jump in support from the earlier survey.

But even a plurality of men (47%) say Palin is not ready to be president in the event of the 72-year-old McCain being incapacitated while in the White House, although 32% believe she is ready. Women voters by a nearly two-to-one margin believe Palin is not ready.

The gender gap on Palin is likely a reflection of the larger gender gap in American politics. Women are more likely to vote for Obama while men are more likely to vote for McCain.

Voters overall by a 48% to 29% margin say Palin is not ready yet to be president, a view shared by 74% of Democrats and 48% of unaffiliated voters but only 16% of Republicans.”