seemed like a good idea at the time

And that, dear friends, is the new de facto motto of the Republican Party. I could be talking about the Iraq war. Or maybe the TIPS database. Or perhaps big tax cuts for the wealthiest 1%. Or going quail hunting. But today I'm talking about the selection of Sarah Palin as McCain's running mate. How quickly they turn. Now the people who loved the Palin selection for its potential impact in the polls are realizing that Palin is all sizzle and no steak. She's best when she's on TV with the sound turned off. They're now calling for her to quit. She's been in the job what, three weeks? It didn't take long for the people interested in real issues and real qualifications to draw a new conclusion.

Hell of a way to run a country. Seemed like a good idea at the time.

Get rid of Saddam Houssein, we'll be greeted as liberating heroes. Seemed like a good idea at the time. Mission accomplished. Oops.

I find it hard to believe that anyone who has been paying any attention at all--and here I have to disclose that I only pay the barest minimum of attention--could possibly see McCain's potential presidency as anything beyond a sort of a sad joke. He rushed back to Washington to save the country from financial crisis. Then he said almost nothing during the negotiations that devolved into a shouting match. Not much quality leadership from him on that one. But at least he kicks ass, right?

Unfortunately, the US is still full of bigots, and race is playing a huge role in this campaign. Everyone keeps asking, "Is Obama ready?" Shouldn't they also be asking, "Is McCain ready?" Judging from his recent actions, I'd say "no." In fact, I think that Obama is far more ready. Maybe "ready" is a euphemism for "capable." And, like Rush Limbaugh, much of racist, white America thinks black men don't make good quarterbacks. Or perhaps the question isn't really, whether Obama is ready for the Presidency--he most definitely is--but rather whether white America is ready to allow Negro League politicians into the majors.

If it has proved anything, the selection of Sarah Palin has shown that many Republicans still think of Obama as the token black man in a white man's game. McCain selected a token woman as if to say, "Two can play that game." She's out of her depth. She's patently unqualified for the position. There are only two explanations: First, that McCain chose her for the sole reason that he could get a bump in the polls. (Seemed like a good idea at the time!) Or, second, that he actually believes she's qualified. And that is far scarier because it means he's truly out to lunch.

I can't wait to see the two side by side tonight in the debate. Even though a lot of what they say will be politicking, at least it won't be filtered through the liberal and conservative editorial lenses by which we all get our daily news. I hope to hear some vigorous discussion about Iraq, Afghanistan, immigration, and the economy. Straight from the candidates. With opportunity for rebuttal. And that's really the only way we should get it.