All in all, Palin made a fool of herself with Charlie Gibson last night.  However, one answer she gave which has not received much airtime is this:

GIBSON: Governor, let me start by asking you a question that I asked John McCain about you, and it is really the central question. Can you look the country in the eye and say "I have the experience and I have the ability to be not just vice president, but perhaps president of the United States of America?"
PALIN: I do, Charlie, and on January 20, when John McCain and I are sworn in, if we are so privileged to be elected to serve this country, will be ready. I'm ready.
GIBSON: And you didn't say to yourself, "Am I experienced enough? Am I ready? Do I know enough about international affairs? Do I -- will I feel comfortable enough on the national stage to do this?"
PALIN: I didn't hesitate, no.
GIBSON: Didn't that take some hubris?
PALIN: I -- I answered him yes because I have the confidence in that readiness and knowing that you can't blink, you have to be wired in a way of being so committed to the mission, the mission that we're on, reform of this country and victory in the war, you can't blink.  So I didn't blink then even when asked to run as his running mate.

This is the most terrifying answer of all.  SHE DIDN'T BLINK when asked to be the Republican nominee for VP.  Gibson is right - it takes limitless hubris to do that.  Anyone running for high office should blink and more.  In fact, I want candidates who decide to run after prolonged self-reflection and honest analysis of their capacity to help this country in tough times.   She is a disgraceful, nakedly ambitious opportunist.

If you haven't already check out Palin's speech from only 2 months ago at her local church.  I hope this gets some real air play.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QG1vPYbRB 7k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k84m2orSO aM&feature=related

What lunatics.

In the instant flashlight of celebrity, the rumors, allegations, and "glamor" surrounding the Palin pick has obscured the most frightening development of the last two weeks.  It is pretty clear, by now, that John McCain has either consciously sold out to the theocrats in his party or, worse still, is not able to keep them under control.  By choosing a rabidly conservative hard-core Christian fundamentalist as his running mate, the table is set for a nightmare scenario in which she ascends to the Presidency.

The talismanic issue here is that of creationism/intelligent design.  I don't for one second believe that the evangelical nuts who seem to be in control of the Republican party actually care for a second about what kids are taught regarding the origins of the cosmos and the human race.  No, rather this issue is a deliberate attack on science in particular, and the primacy of expertise and established fact in general.  The insidious notion that we should teach creationism "alongside" evolution as if both are equally plausible is as disingenuous as it is dangerous.

Yes, Barack is a once-in-a-lifetime inspirational leader.  Yes, he clearly wins on every policy issue.  Yes, the war must end.  Yes, the economy is disastrous; but more important than anything else in this election is the preservation of the separation of church and state.  These lunatics want a theocracy.

Like many of you, I am only just beginning to recover from a truly nauseating evening.  Clearly the GOP has set its hopes on narrowly winning this election in the context of an all out culture war.  The country is utterly divided and dangerously polarized.  A sad sad day.

Palin and Giulani's poisonous speeches tonight cynically exploited "the worst angels of our nature".  They childishly mocked Obama's community organizing (a not-so-latent racist attack), his education (intellect should be mistrusted), the diversity of his background , and his oratorical skills.  These of course should all be seen as pluses in a Presidential candidate, but by playing on people's own insecurities and prejudices they turn them into the very focus of their vicious attacks.

At the end of the day it is always easier to destroy than to create.  The second law of thermodynamics guarantees this.  The Republicans, who incidentally now resemble a white supremacist movement, are staking everything on this dark philosophy.

I hope there are more people who hope than hate but I don't think any of us knows for sure.  If the haters succeed then it truly will be the fall of Rome.  Within a couple of decades we will have the military selecting the "Emperor" by lifting him on their shoulders (see Gibbon's Decline & Fall for further details but I promise you won't be able to sleep).

Just a thought.  What if Sarah Palin takes to the stage, teary-eyed, and confesses that she will have to withdraw from the campaign because of vicious attacks on her family.  Then McCain taps Lieberman and the Evangelical lunatics will be too up in arms about Palin's mistreatment to organize a major campaign against him.

I'm at the end of my tether hearing about "executive experience".  The Republicans have clearly identified this as a key talking point and they are towing the party line down to the last man and woman.  I even heard yesterday the argument that Sarah Palin has more executive experience than Joe Biden and is therefore more prepared to become POTUS.  What amazing contempt they have for the American people.  For that matter, there is a Lucky's Bubble Tea Cafe in the basement of my builiding.  Are it's owners better prepared than Obama and Biden for the Presidency because they "run" the place?  Give me a break.