This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon: October 5, 2008 - Republicans were partying at Chaifetz as Vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin spoke.
America's love affair with Gov. Sarah Palin continues unabated. Of course, not all America, she has her detractors, but none was present at the Chaifetz Arena on debate night. The Republicans held a rally and debate-watching party at the beautiful new SLU arena, which culminated with a visit from the VP candidate herself.
The party faithful in attendance cheered Palin's folksy and cheerful demeanor as she hammered home core conservative beliefs and criticized the mainstream media. You betcha.
This is one night the Republicans had more fun than the Democrats, as Sen. Biden did not attend theDemocratic rally at The Pageant due to his soldier son's imminent departure for Iraq. Usually theDemocrats have much more exciting parties, or that's what I have heard.
Even if he had been able to attend, Biden is no party starter. Obama has been packing rooms for almost two years.
Why is it that certain media anchors are fixated on portraying successful Republicans as morons? Think of the precedents -- Reagan, Quayle, Bush, Palin. Is charging vacuity really the best angle of attack? Does it really matter if the VP candidate knows the name of the President of Zimbabwe, and how US policy should evolve toward that country?
By the way, it's Mugabe: bad guy, regime change would be good.
No, you do not become president of the United States, or even a vice-presidential nominee, being obtuse. Sure Dan Quayle misspelled potato, sure W and Sarah say "nucular," but that's OK, people have different accents, and we should all be tolerant, right?
Now the scary part: Palin's perky enthusiasm is an eerie echo of Ronald Reagan's optimism and affability. In a precarious season of financial tumult and political polemics, could it be morning in America, again?
I'll have to get back to ya on that one.