DUCKPOND

According to CNN:

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin introduced herself to the world Wednesday by calling herself a “hockey mom” and then asking what the difference was between a hockey mom and a pit bull.

“Lipstick,” the Republican vice-presidential nominee said.

Some of us actually own dogs, and perhaps know something of pit bulls. Since they made the comparison – and why did not the speech writers see this or similar coming – it could be said, “Even without the lipstick, we know a fake when we see one”. Not that I would make those implied aspersions against any person, not least Governor Palin, preferring the discipline of separating what the person says and does, from the person.

To the extent that I could listen to her, the speech she gave was well written and well delivered. Kevin Drum observes:

Jeff Toobin on CNN: Sarah Palin’s speech was better than Joe Biden’s, but was also “smug, cutting, and sarcastic.” That’s better? Maybe, I guess, but does smug and cutting really sell outside the true believer base?

The Obama campaign, via Political Animal, has come out with a list of rebuttals, which some are calling outright lies. Much like the church renditions, the fundamentalist base will be energized and convinced by this approach, I doubt whether those went beyond primary school, and hold values of evidence and reason will be so easily captivated. Palin uses the testimony of her father a science teacher at a primary school apparently to confirm that evolution was a mere theory unlike, for example, the sixteen fundamentals of belief. The differences between a scientific theory, even ones later proved incorrect, and statements of assertion, should be obvious to anyone that even tries to engage the evidence.

None the less the Republicans are making an interesting political calculation, with immediate short term pay offs, but more dubious longer term implications. George Lakoff is the go to person for the political science of framing.

With her dramatic entry, she cannot now hide from the media, and whatever scrutiny they might bring to her record and policies. She can use the talking points, effectively ignore the questions, and all the too familiar tactics, but discrepancies between what she says and what she has done will surely be identified. It seems that Governor Palin has some unfinished business in Alaska. My 2 Bucks has a neighbours assessment.

Further, this time surely, the Democrats should be prepared for this style of campaign. We will see. I guess one tactic, is to let her talk and talk, so she talks up a storm. John McCain, the stereotype politician, seems to say whatever is convenient for moment. Biden says that he has never seen the American people more focused, but is he dealing effectively with the psycho-politics in play?

Now I am not an American, right, and strangely as it might seem that is something for which I am grateful, but why am I interested and commenting? Well, it is very simple, it is my atmosphere too. Perhaps it is past time to act together to do something about it, otherwise we are facing global catastrophe. Your country could, and I am confident, will make a difference. You might think that the report of the break off of the 50 square mile island from the Canadian ice shelf opens up some interesting possibilities. What I foresee if the climate change deniers are given the reigns of the American Government, is the inevitably in the face of widespread emergencies is the imposition of authoritarian and hierarchical government structures, and thus the end of civil and democratic societies as we have known them.

So much for “small” government.

ELSEWHERE:

Mark Leibovich and David D Kirkpatrick in The New York Times have a backgrounder on the political style and experience of John McCain in which they observe:

The surprise was also a glimpse of how Mr. McCain might govern. Mr. McCain promises in every speech that as president he would put country first, but his notions of honor and disregard for his popularity can make him an unpredictable patriot. He is a conservative committed to limited government, except when he sees a greater cause like global warming, campaign corruption or children’s health. He boasts that he stood by the Iraq war long after the public turned against it, but also says he would never risk American troops abroad without deep public support.

I wonder what Palin and the fundamentalists will think of being sold down the river? Maybe they will see the light and identify with African-Americans!

Then again, elections are not to be about principles and policies, but personalities and prejudice. As Glenn Greenwald points out this the modus operandi for the Republicans since Reagan – and it works. So lets see whether Obama can retaliate effectively. Game on.

The stage is now set for McCain, who is neither orator or attack dog, to do it again.