So Now What?

Now we fight.

Sarah Palin just became the GOP's version of Barack Obama: energizing, dynamic, and for the first time in a long time, something the GOP can rally around. I believe I'm doing Obama a major disservice by comparing the two on quality of ideas, but not quality of purpose.

This race was close without Palin. Now Obama and Biden have their work cut out for them. The old red meat eating, Buchananite base of the party is back, and they have their new queen for a new age. It didn't really matter that Palin lied repeatedly in her speech (even the AP called her out on the lies) but this wasn't about the issues. It was about bringing the heat.

Yes, Sarah Palin came across as mean, condescending, and sour. You play Peoria to Peoria, and her job is to exploit emotion, not logic. Logic is for elitist policy wonks, liberal media talking heads, and foul-mouthed bloggers like myself. Sarah Palin brought the thunder....it didn't matter if lightning actually caused it or not.

This is how Bush won. Keep that in the back of your mind. Attack attack attack has won in the past. Does Obama dare to stoop to that level? Ask Kerry and Gore if he should. The GOP is going old school: if you can't win on the issues, make new ones up and declare yourselves champion.

Now the world awaits Obama's response, and he doesn't have much time. He's going on BillO's show tonight opposite McSame's speech. We'll see.