No Shades of Gray With Republicans This Year

After seeing VP pick Sarah Palin's speech last night, one thing became abundantly clear to me at once. McCain and company made either the best choice in the history of Republican politics or they will crash and burn in November.

McCain desperately needed something to energize the base of the party and carve out a good chunk of independents and working class fence-sitters. One thing for certain after seeing the reaction in the hall and the commentary afterwords - he has the base now. Evangelicals and values voters have warmly embraced her. While Palin's speech was mostly ghost-written months ago, the delivery was all her own. If you like the Reaganesque "aw shucks", homey appeal approach to politics - this speech was for you...

A McCain/Palin win would be the major political coup of this century and a large part of the last. One thing is for certain - Obama, Biden and company had better have a major plan of attack coming out of convention cycle as the Republican ticket should have a good bounce and tons of momentum. It was nearly unanimous among the AOL crew here in St. Paul that the Democratic ticket now suddenly may have something to worry about. I, along with millions of others, will not be thrilled with another example of snatching defeat from the mouth of victory. Biden's post-speech reaction was weak-kneed.

Major league politics were played with these lines from Palin's speech:

I came to office promising major ethics reform, to end the culture of self-dealing. And today, that ethics reform is the law.

While I was at it, I got rid of a few things in the governor's office that I didn't believe our citizens should have to pay for.

That luxury jet was over the top. I put it on eBay.

I also drive myself to work.

And I thought we could muddle through without the governor's personal chef - although I've got to admit that sometimes my kids sure miss her. I came to office promising to control spending - by request if possible and by veto if necessary.

That's the red meat the Republican base eats up. Delivered by a young, attractive woman with a young, attractive family. This is the new face of the Republican party as Obama is the next generation of Democrat.

I don't see all roses and song for this tick pick. Many still feel that Palin was not properly vetted and the media (once so loved and now so hated by McCain) will be more than happy to pick up where they left off. Any more hint of scandal or impropriety could set this campaign right back where it started. While those on the far right are loving this game-changer, more moderate Republicans are not convinced. Who wins the power play for the party?

As a woman "of a certain age" that everyone seems to be courting lately, I can tell you this: I don't want to hear the words "sexist and misogynistic" replayed for my benefit for the next two months over comments about Palin, after just living through Hillary hell. And I know for sure that attacking a political opponent in the normal fashion during a campaign - even a girl - is normal and expected. She should not be treated any different than a man in this arena. Anything else is unfair and does us all a disservice. Heed my words, Biden..