I just had to add my two-cents to the Governor Palin diaries for today. It's just to get it out of my system before tomorrow when I hope we all go back to attacking the putative Republican't nominee.
I've watched Senator Obama praise Senator McCain as a good soldier and public servant for this country. And then I've reveled as my party's nominee begins whacking McCain over policy point after policy point. I see no reason why this same attack strategy cannot work for Palin.
Obama and Biden should praise Palin in those areas where she has excelled. The attacks should go something like this:
"She is a good mother and during her 18 months as governor of Alaska [is it as exotic as Hawaii?] she has worked to limit corruption in the Republican power structure in the state. She is a patriot and we should all respect her service to her state and country.
However, both Joe and I have serious differences in policies with Senator McCain, and now with his choice for his VP. On the issue of education, Governor Palin has continued to favor the teaching of evolution and creationism in our public schools. Governor Palin supports S-CHIP legislation yet Senator McCain has repeatedly said that he does not. As his VP nominee, Governor Palin may be forced to also disregard S-CHIP legislation now as they run for office. Governor Palin does not differ from Senator McCain's view that the market should be responsible for the health coverage and welfare of our most precious asset, our citizens. Their health care proposal will actually tax people on their health care benefits.
Governor Palin favors opening up the Alaskan Wilderness for oil exploration and drilling, faithfully repeating Senator McCain's out-of-touch idea that drilling here, there, and under his own feet will lower gas prices for Americans. It will not and we know it's a gimmick, just like his gas-tax holiday proposal.
To be continued by the Obama campaign... ."
I don't like the idea of introducing Palin to the public right now, so Obama and Biden shouldn't say too much yet. But I have to assume that eventually (hopefully, it takes as long as it can -- like four or five weeks) people will know her name and we'll need to help the traditional media fill in the gaps on her stances on issues. I'd love to believe that her Troopergate scandal will dominate the news once this Day 1 media lovefest is finished, but I don't want to take the chance.
Anyways, I found some of her positions here:
On The Issues compendium (not well updated)
As you can see, she hasn't really taken too many positions at all, on anything. I think that presents us with a golden opportunity to define her, and to do it even before her convention next week. We have a few days and I'm sure the Obama/Biden campaign are already at it.
Anyways, the point is, there is no mention of gender here, nor of any experience argument. This is how we should attack her, and continue to attack McCain, on both his lack of judgment and his inability to be in touch with the average voter.