Ya gotta admit we were totally unprepared for Palin. They took us by surprise, but don't despair.

[mtnsnake]

I mean, who on earth would dream that the Repukes would choose this nothing of a person to join up with McCain? Did anyone here on DU ever mention her as a possibility? I doubt if most of the people who post here, including myself, had ever heard her name before.

Hey, it's not like our people weren't thinking that the Republicans might put a woman on the ticket, it's just that nobody on our side would have ever dreamed up Palin as that choice. Afterall, if it was going to be a woman, our people were probably preparing themselves for someone like Condi Rice, who at least has intelligence and experience (ugh) and would have been a much more predictable choice than Palin would.

But Palin?? They simply caught us off guard. These elections are all about preparing in advance for any possibility, and unfortunately we didn't consider Palin a possibility for the obvious reason that nobody in their right mind would ever make such a dumb choice as her.

I'm sure that when the Republican braintrusts got together it went something like this:

Karl Rove: "Okay, what person do we have in politics who could completely take the Democrats by surprise if chosen for John's running mate? We need someone who is so stupid, so inexperienced, that they'll never ever be prepared for it when we pick that person?"

Rudy Gullini: "Karl, I know of such a person. She is the governor of Alaska, and she is as dumb as a doorknob. Plus, she's arrogant just like me. The Democrats will not be anticipating her even remotely as being a choice. Trust me on that. I can't think of her name right now, but I can look it up if you want."

Rove: "She? hmmm. Okay, Rudy, get me her name and tell McCain who his running mate will be."

I'm positive that it takes a decent amount of time to properly prepare for any new possibility. You can bet your life that behind the scenes our smartest tacticians have been meeting since Palin was chosen and will come up with the best way to handle Palin very very soon. Since her choice completely caught us off guard, it's just a matter of time before we figure out the best way to reduce her to a pile of rubble.

This recent advantage that the Republicans are enjoying is only temporary because (1)they took us by surprise with their silly Palin choice and (2)it's only natural that they're enjoying the bounce they always get from their goofy convention, especially with theirs being last.

The people in our think tanks just need some time to work out a strategy. I mean, it's not the easiest task in the world figuring out how to go after a mindless pistol-packing bimbo without coming off as sexist. However, our people will figure out the best way to go after her, and when they do, it will all be downhill from there. Give it some time and Palin and Co. will be mocked into oblivion, and the polls will be bouncing our way in short order.

I'm starting to think landslide for Obama/Biden. :smoke:

[Blue_In_AK]

1. We in Alaska knew that she was being considered

before the announcement, but didn't in our wildest nightmares imagine that she would be picked. Sarah herself said earlier this year that she was flattered, but that it was a really ridiculous idea and that her first loyalty was to the state and to finishing the job she started here as governor. I'm not sure what happened behind the scenes to change her mind -- but it's still a ridiculous idea.

[mokawanis]

2. She'll fuck it all up

She has to debate Biden without McSame there to hold her hand. Biden's well aware of her talking points and the snarky comments she relies on. She can't hide from the press for the duration of the campaign. I agree with you, we're gonna kill em on election day.

[Xipe Totec]

3. Unprepared? Oh, man, mana from heaven

Palin is a wingnut even New Hampshire Republicans can't stand.

[the Sundance Kid]

4. her facade is already showing serious cracks and it has only been 8 days

8 days with no questions, at that.

[CrispyQ]

5. I'm not confident of a landslide. I beleive we definitely have our work cut out for us.

Clinton supporters are sharp & savvy & they will not support Palin just because she is a woman & they certainly will not support her based on her views. The only voters I think Palin brings to the mix are the fundie voters that were going to sit out this election.

For all his talk about Jesus & a higher father, boosh is a corporatist before he is a Christian. Palin, not so. We have every reason to be concerned that should McCain win, an intolerant, religious zealot will be a heartbeat away from the presidency. So let's hope his VP selection will fire up the dem base like never before!

[mtnsnake]

7. Maybe not a landlslide, but I think we're going to give them a big November surprise

...not just that we'll win, but we're going to do it big.

[Condem]

6. The longer she stays behind the scenes...

The harder questions will start being asked. I see no plan for the repubs to put her in any potentially damaging situation. This strategy SHOULD backfire, if the MSM has any scruples whatsoever.

[BlueIdaho]

8. A crash course is not the same as a post graduate degree.

They can only do so much and she can only learn so much. There is time for rote memorization but not nuance.