The Gadfly Eats His Words

John McCain: Having dissed John McCain for months in print, and on radio and television for his previously-inept campaign, his awkward speaking style, his jarring mannerisms, his now-famous temper and his sometimes-off-the-wall remarks, I am eating most of those words today. In one fell swoop, with his surprise (stunning) selection of an unknown female from a small state as his vice presidential nominee, McCain has demonstrated his greatest strength: He is unafraid of big challenges and unafraid of taking the road less traveled. In addition, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin brings strength to the McCain plate in her rock-rib conservative values, strength of family, support of the Constitution, toughness in the face of adversity, willingness to tackle politicians in both parties and, not at all the least, her ability to speak on her feet. McCain, as usual, looked like a duck out of water introducing her today but she, cool, composed and articulate, looked every bit like a leader the country can embrace. McCain needed that, badly. He got it right: She is exactly what he needs. Final word: McCain's campaign strategy in the past six or eight weeks has been flawless. The play about his veep pick on the very day Obama accepted the nomination and the way the announcement today has diminished considerably any television "glow" Obama and Biden hoped for out of Denver, is masterful politics.

Bad Strategy: The Obama-Biden campaign was quick to diss Governor Palin today. They criticized her small-town roots, her lack of foreign affairs experience, her lack of extended political experience. All mistakes and bad strategy. What they have done is help prop up Palin's bonafides to Republicans who doubted McCain. What they have done is call attention to Palin when the outcome of this election well could rise and fall on the strength of the female vote.

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