And you thought Tina Fey was funny

Try this liveblogging of the VP debates from Will Wilkinson, a Cato Institute research fellow and blogger. Here's how it starts:

Oh, what the hell.

8:16 - Biden: Barack Obama will never raise taxes on anyone ever. Almost. McCain is middle-class-hating shill for megawealthy.

8:18 - Palin: Higher taxes not patriotic, Biden. Government off our snow machines! I did a good job remembering talking points about McCain’s health care tax credit plan! Budget-neutral: I can say it!

8:19 - Biden: Scranton, reprezent. Redistribution isn’t if you don’t call it that. Fairness! Health care, blah blah Bridge to Nowhere.

Finally, I've discovered the king of liveblogging a political debate deserves. I'll have to read more of this guy's blog.

Presidential Heat

The folks over at National Review are getting quite worked up over Palin. I thought Joey Sobrino was being a little arch with his 'naughty librarian' comment, but now I realize that he was actually being subtle. Now the NRO crowd are talking about her "Paglian chthonic sexual power"* and her "unabashed embrace of her fecundity and motherhood ." Ok. If these are factors in the race, just say so.

For me, I always appreciated Golda Mier's no nonsense Brooklyn school marm fortitude. And I thought Chris Matthews was a little weird about getting a tingle up his leg every time he heard Obama speak. I am almost afraid to think what kind of meltdown he might have now.

But when they start talking about “novel problem for a presidential candidate: sexual tension with his VP” I am not sure we really want to go there.

*Paglia herself is quite charmed by Palin, but can anyone actually pronounce 'chthonic?'

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Damning Liddy Dole with faint praise

Over on an blog chat on The Washington Post earlier today someone asked Jay Nordlinger, a conservative pundit, what he thought was wrong with Liddy Dole, our dear Senator here in North Carolina, as a Vice Presidential choice. His reply:

Jay Nordlinger: I think there is a feeling that her time has passed. But what a good question -- I haven't thought of her in years. (Goes to show you.) What a star she was. Sad about politics, as in other fields of life.

Some of us here in the land of Wilkes have not given her a thought in years because we haven't heard about her or from her. I was a shock to see her husband Bob Dole here in Wilkes Co. last week and to realize that he and she still exist. "HER TIME HAS PASSED."

It would make a great bumper sticker. But I always liked Bob Dole's sense of humor. And his war record.

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OOOOPS. Live Mic.

Someone left the mic on while Peggy Noonan and some of the boys (Chuck Todd and Mike Murphy) discussed politics. For what it's worth, Noonan denies that she really meant it because it depends on what the meaning of 'is' is. Or something . Here's the quote:

In the truncated version of the conversation, on the Web, it appears I am saying the McCain campaign is over. I did not say it, and do not think it.

How did our world become a Steven Colbert routine?

Dr Laura: Welcome to the world of working folks

Well as I live and breath. Not all conservative radio talk show hosts are over the moon for Palin. Her reasoning though seems to describe a fair chunk of the working women of America.

When I worked years ago as a janitor, and several times in factories, I knew lots of people, some of them women with children, who work two or even three jobs to make ends meet.

But that was 35-40 years ago and thanks to the Demos and Repubs I am sure they are all as well of as I am.

And now a rebuttal on Palin ... or not

I have no good idea of how Palin as VP will work politically. She shores up the base, which was absolutely critical, steps on the Obama speech buzz, and certainly has the potential to be seen as one of those gut instinct decisions that later looks inspired.

Or not.

She has some political baggage that could blow up in McCain's face. She may turn out to be a poor campaigner. People may not like her voice. Or resent the naughty librarian factor - the graphics of old man John next to her might not work. And we do seem to choose our presidents on such peripheral and ephemeral claptrap (and have even since the Kennedy/Nixon debate on TV - which I can remember watching).

Here's Krauthammer's opinion. Rick Brookhiser seems to have doubts while Jonah Goldberg shows some common sense (though he later seems to walk it back) and channels Begala on an important point, Brookhiser is roundly attacked by everyone, and The Designated Adult is over the moon for her, while David Frum definitely is not (and is roundly attacked by 98% of his respondents).

To quote that other great political philosopher, Chou-en-Lai, "too soon to tell."

You know, if the fate of civilization as we know it wasn't at stake this would be a lot of fun. And I just realized that I had unconsciously borrowed this post's format from Claw of the Conciliator.


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Mr Sobrino's Librarian

"That naughty librarian vibe" that Palin has. Maybe. Though Carmen wants to know what movies you have been watching lately (we suspect it was not "The Music Man").

We chuckled. And then I said "Well, that wraps up the Randy Old Man vote." Carmen started laughing and said "And we know that's a HUMONGOUS voting bloc!"

At least one reader at NRO seems to agree with Mr Sobrino, though he simply says "total knockout sexually," which is a bit blunt*. But it is NRO after all.

Maybe McCain is on to something after all though. It could work. In fact, in one major sense it already has: the Religious Right aka the Evangelical vote now seems excited about the McCain ticket and might actually bother to get to the polls. Dobson immediately came out and supported the ticket. This won't win him the election but it is necessary for him to have a shot at it. And the same people seem to have donated over $7 million within 24 hrs of the pick. If Paris was worth a mass, then how much more Washington ...

Also, and this is important I think, she represents a new face to the Republican Party that desperately needs one. What we have had for 8 years has been neither Republicanism nor Conservatism. Her anti-corruption credentials, if they hold up, will help. Some people who genuinely want to overturn the Bushite revolution but are nervous about Demos might now be able to vote for McCain.

But spare me the unconvincing and rather lame equation of experience. It is not playing to her strengths.

*I myself was always partial to Tansu Çiller, Turkish PM, shown here addressing the troops. Notice the soldier with the bullhorn. But then, I always was a xenophile.

Palin - the GOP's VP

It is rare that I am nonplussed by a political development - infuriated or amused maybe, but not often speechless. Have to admit the selection of Sarah Palin for VP by John McCain left me saying ... HUH? Even now I am not sure how this will cut with the public, but it sure looks like a mistake. Carmen is a bit more ....uh... direct. As Cubans sometimes are.

FWIW: here is a link to a blog called Fabius Maximus*. Though it is liberal, I found it on Instapundit, which I believe leans conservative. Its chief virtue is that it amasses some straightforward facts about Palin's career with some links. Whatever your perspective then I think this site is a good place to start for material about the governor.

Since I know very little about Alaska, except for the obvious fact that it was settled by Russians, complete with Orthodox churches**, I was delighted to find an Alaskan blog written by an Obama supporter who is a bit acerbic, shall we say, about McCain's choice. Still, it's a voice from Alaska and worth taking a look at. I assume there are lots of pro-Palin blogs out there by people who know her.

Or you can just cut to the chase and go over to National Review Online for totally uncritical acceptance of this candidate. And, a bit surprisingly, some brutally honest critiques of the choice.

Later I'll talk about some Alaskans I have known.


*I'm a sucker for Latin titles and names. oh. you noticed.
** we have just hired an expert on the Russian fur trade in the Bering Strait. Knows all about this stuff. I will call him Dr Ryan.