Absolutely, attacking Palin personally will help her and McCain. That's why Greg R etc. are doing Obama no good with their descriptions of Palin--and why I've been appealing for no more smears--on any side of the political spectrum--and recognition of the fact that Palin has in fact attacked corruption in the AK Republican party. It should certainly be obvious, as I noted earlier, that Palin's appeal should not be underestimated.

Now comes more evidence that the Democrats have to stop personal attacks on Palin--and stupid addiction to wild-eyed theories like Scheunemann being behind the August 2008 attempt by Georgia to drag its restive provinces back into the fold.

Big headline in the WSJ today: McCain Vows End To 'Rancor', Betting On Maverick Appeal

Gee I wonder if that has anything to do that he now has the perfect attack dog in Palin. And "attack dog" is no personal smear--it's just the typical VP role these days.

And for people who don't think clearly, "end to rancor" is a very seductive appeal for him.

Irony is: McCain/Palin are still very vulnerable on the issues.

On both the economy and health care--the number 1 and 2 issues for the US these days, McCain/Palin's only solution boils down to: "let the market take care of it".   In Iraq, they both think "victory" is within the US' grasp. Ignoring the fact that Iraq is still likely to break up--the Kurds want no part of it. Roe v Wade--it should be obvious what danger that will be in if McCain/Palin are elected.

No more time--but there are other issues on which Obama/Biden are on the right side--and McCain/Palin would still lead the US down the wrong path.

Obama himself appeals to his supporters to stick to the issues--for good reason--that's the way to win.

And it still can happen. If Obama gets the huge majority of registered Democrats, McCain the huge majority of Republicans, and they split the independents, it's no contest--McCain has no chance.

So let's simmer down, and go back to discussing the issues.