Odds and ends

Good for John McCain.

Running mate (we may have to change our vocabulary here) Sarah Palin brings us one step closer to the day it won't be a big thing when a woman runs for public office. Closer, but it will be awhile: every story about Barack Obama still has to adjectivally note that he's half-white; it's been 24 years since Geraldine Ferraro was number two for the Democrats.

I just wish I'd bet on Alaska's Governor a year ago, when some pundits were pushing her as a solid second to counteract then-favorite Hillary Clinton. Yes, I do check the internet odds; following the money is at least as useful as this poll-a-day nonsense we get.

A new deck

McCain is gambling here too: he's thrown in his callow and shallow cards; Palin is younger and less-experienced than Obama. That undercuts one of his main attack points.

But apparently his pollsters have told him he has a good chance to pry away a chunk of the Hillary horde and Palin connects solidly with the Bush base, particularly the coathanger crowd.

The spin begins

At the same time, he's trying to have it both ways: pet pundits have already said 'sure it's an important job' but not that important-- misattributing that famous old Will Rodgers line.

Also, a professional putz trotted out the talking point that her high-maintenance newborn Down's Syndrome baby can be a plus instead of minus. I'd like to say I couldn't make this stuff up, but of course I could, I just wouldn't say it.

The man with the best job in the country is the Vice President. All he has to do is get up every morning and say, "How's the President?" -- Will Rodgers