Richard Cohen on Palin for VP

Richard Cohen of the Washington Post, author of pro-McCain columns here and here, nails the GOP spin on McCain's selection of Sarah Palin for Vice Presidential candidate.

John McCain's selection of Palin, which I first viewed with horror, could now be seen in a different light. Based on various television interviews over the Labor Day weekend -- and a careful reading of the transcripts -- it is possible that this is McCain's attempt to make fools of his fellow Republicans. He has succeeded beyond all expectations.

Probably the most depressing thing about Palin is not her selection but the defense of it. It has produced a parade of GOP spokesmen intent on spiking the needle on a polygraph. Looking right into the camera, they offer statement after statement that they hope the voters will swallow but that history will forget. The sum effect on the diligent news consumer is a feeling of consummate contempt for the intelligence of the American people -- a contempt that will be justified should Palin be the factor that makes McCain a winner in November.

Cohen is referring to attempts by GOP spin-meisters to convince us that Palin (two term mayor of a town of 8,000 and governor for 20 months of a state of 600,000) has as much political experience as Barack Obama (two term Illinios state legislator, one term US Senator, and successful candidate for the Democratic Presidential nomination), has "foreign policy experience" since Alaska is right next to Russia and military experience because she is commander of the Alaska National Guard. They are thus in serious contention for the "pants on fire" award from Politifact.com.

--Ballard Burgher