Palin Quailin'

The hits apparently will keep on coming. With Sarah Palin and the GOP campaign bragging that she's their attack dog, they've understandably failed in asserting:

• No one has any right to criticize her.
• No one has any right to interview her.
• Specifying her missteps, illegalities and failures as mayor and governor are not allowed.

It looks like in yesterday's Left Ahead! podcast, John Galligan was spot on predicting that we've just begun to hear about the failin' of Palin. For a current example, even the lumbering old Washington Post wants to detail how this self-proclaimed fiscal reformer billed the state per diem fees when she was at home and numerous similar expense scams. Her defense that her tricks were at a lower level than the previous governor's, shall we say, is not in tune with the GOP campaign.

In one way, this unraveling mess shows a refreshing naïveté on the part of the cynical and manipulative Republicans. McCain and his club seem to think they can wave their hands or do a Wizard of Oz — pay no attention to the woman behind the curtain. Look at her legs, the legs!

Lackaday for them, even the blind media can feel about for the lumps and pockmarks on this unknown candidate. In fact, her very lack of résumé makes them reach out.

Our reading list today includes:

• Gallison Keillor — Even living in the GOP convention town, he does not buy into efforts to shield Palin's unbelievable lightness of qualifications. He writes, "She's like the Current Occupant but with big hair. If you want inexperience, there were better choices. " He also notes, "When you check the actuarial tables on a 72-year-old guy who's had three bouts with cancer, you guess you may be looking at the first woman president, a hustling Evangelical with ethics issues and a chip on her shoulder..."
• Cintra Wilson — The ever readable and outrageous columnist is outraged at what Palin represents now and portends for women if elected. She thinks women should also be outraged at this "White House bunny -- the most nauseating novelty confection of the evangelical mind-set since Southern 'chastity balls...'" To Wilson, "Sarah Palin is the sexual front of the culture war and the embodiment of the bold social engineering stance of the new authoritarianism that Republicans have been employing ever since they stole the election in 2000...(They) offer you the hope of putting women back in their place."
• James Carville — The Dem strategist and now commentator seems wistful for when the GOP put up experienced and focused candidates worthy of the battle. Going with the opposite bodes ill long-term for the party, he contends. With his impulsive selection, McCain "gambled away one of his party’s surest advantages."

It looks like this just won't stop. Palin looks clumsier and dirtier with every examination. The question seems to be how much of her inadequacy will come to light before November 4th.

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Tags: massmarrier, Palin, McCain, Carville, Cintra Wilson, Keillor