Wow.

Ten years ago, I would have loved Sarah Palin. Now I think she's possibly the worst thing to happen to this election.

Say what you will about Palin only being picked because she's a woman. I'm gravely concerned about her attacking speech and the fires it may have lit. Roland Martin of CNN almost jumped out of his seat because of Palin's reference to community organizers. Carl Bernstein voiced his dismay at the "return of the old culture wars."

Governor Palin last night gave a speech that, I must say, almost dares Democrats to abandon the relatively high-minded ideals they have touted throughout the last year and dive headlong into bickering and name-calling. I sure hope they don't. The best thing for Obama and the country is to downplay this antagonistic speech. Count to ten. Please.

This speech took me back to the days when the media were a bunch of biased liberal intellectuals; when abortion was the #1 issue; when the soul of our country was at stake; when America was primarily a Christian nation; when real Americans lived in the South and Midwest but not in San Francisco or New York; when it was 'us vs. them,' (two homogeneous monoliths without any subtlety or complexity), right vs. wrong - and we were right and ready to fight.

And that's what scares me.

Let me be clear: It's one thing to be pro-life, support Bush's tax cuts or the Iraq war, but it's quite another to make cutting remarks and snidely belittle your opponent. I suppose that's the heart of my objection over Governor Palin's speech: the pugnacious, bring-it-on attitude that knows it's right. She barely offered a conciliatory phrase; in fact, as I review the transcript of the speech, all I can see is one phrase - "There is much to like and admire about our opponent." In contrast, every time I've heard Obama speak about McCain he has praised his war record and character.

With his choice for a running mate, Senator McCain has lost nearly all the respect I had for him just two years ago. He has now fully capitulated to some of the very forces he once bucked to earn the nickname "maverick." How can he retain that title if his VP so clearly embodies the Religious Right? If, as Governor Palin herself said last night, McCain is in Washington "to serve his country, and not just his party," then why would he choose a running mate who stirred up the base of that very party?

Now, in an attempt to balance the above remarks, I will say that Palin's claims of reform impressed me (I say "claims" because immediately after her speech some pundits disputed some of her statements). I also found her push for energy independence appealing, although I'd rather not drill as much as she indicated. As for Obama, I don't believe he is the messiah or that he'll come through on all his promises. He is just a man, after all, and a politician at that. He's already disappointed me a number of times in the last several months. That said, I still think he's the better candidate. His policies line up with my beliefs on green issues, on energy, on Iraq and foreign policy, on the economy, and on health care. And that's a whole 'nother can of worms.

As a side note, I think Paul Begala needs to lose his job. Or suffer facial paralysis. Either way, that smug smile of his has gotta go.

Speaking of needing to leave... so should I! I'd like to hear your responses, especially if you disagree, but I can't promise I'll be able to respond to them. My political posts happen somewhat spontaneously, so who knows when I'll devote this much thought and time to this subject again? In any case, let me know what you think, or if I got something wrong. Just keep it civil.