Arianna Huffington argues that Sarah Palin is very much like George W. Bush by making some clearly identifiable observations that have been largely drowned and ignored. From Arianna Huffington at The Huffington Post:
Every second of this campaign not spent talking about the Republican Party’s record, and John McCain’s role in that record, is a victory for John McCain.
Her critics like to say that Palin hasn’t accomplished anything. I disagree: in the space of ten days she’s succeeded in distracting the entire country from the horrific Bush record — and McCain’s complicity in it. My friends, that’s accomplishment we can believe in.
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He needs to dramatically redirect this election back to a discussion over the issues that really matter — the issues that will impact the future of this country. A presidential campaign is a battle and this is the time for Obama to show some commander-in-chief skills. I’m not talking about calling Palin out for lying about his record and demeaning community organizing. I’m talking about grabbing the political debate by the throat. The country is already angry about what’s happened over the last seven-plus years — he shouldn’t be afraid to give voice to that anger. Obama has spent years adopting a non-threatening persona; but he can’t let his fear that appearing like an “angry Black man” (a stereotype not-too-subtly fueled by Fox News) will turn off swing voters keep him from channeling the disgust and outrage felt by so many voters –swing and otherwise.
McCain’s team, in an effort to distract, is going to keep doing what they’re doing — diverting voters and the media with a tantalizing combination of personal trivia and small lies. It doesn’t matter if they’re caught in them — in fact, all the better. Because they know there is no way in hell they can win if this election is about the big truth of the Bush years.
McCain’s real running mate is George Bush and the failed policies of the Republican Party. Even if they are dressed up in a skirt, lipstick, and Tina Fey glasses.
