What's the most common phrase applied to John McCain's choice of Sarah Palin to be his running mate? "Game changer." If I had a nickel for every time I heard or read that phrase this weekend I'd be a rich man, and all day long I'd piddy-piddy-pum.
But as loathe as I am to admit it, the pundits have a point. Had McCain chosen any of the rich old white men that the GOP seems to have no shortage of, the news coverage this long holiday weekend would have almost certainly focused on Obama's acceptance speech. Now McCain has owned the entire weekend news cycle.
So how does McCain follow it up? We now know: He's gong to politicize Hurricane Gustav, seeking to portray himself as a leader, while conveniently keeping George W. Bush away from the convention, and possibly even avoiding the humiliating spectacle of him awkwardly attempting to read his acceptance speech off a teleprompter (while flashing a creepy grin at inappropriate moments.)
And the press will eat it up. It will keep McCain the focus of the news for the coming week. But then what? Can the McCain camp wage a campaign of "changing the game" from now until the election? Follow me below the fold for one possible scenario.
Week of Sept. 8th. McCain campaign announces that he is dropping out of the scheduled Presidential debates. Instead, McCain challenges Obama to a series of strength and skill tests. The first will be a game of shuffleboard. The second debate will be replaced by a mahjong tournament. The third will be wrist wrestling. The press will be quick to point out that for 5 and 1/2 years John McCain could only dream of being able to participate in such games.
Week of Sept. 22nd. McCain calls press conference during which he publicly calls George W. Bush a "recalcitrant scalawag." Press swoons over McCain's mavericky maverickness.
Week of Oct. 6th McCain downs a full case of red bull and bungee jumps off of Washington Monument. Press declares that by doing so McCain has shown his contempt for traditional Washington.
Week of Oct. 20th. McCain pulls the ultimate "October surprise," by announcing that he is the father of Sarah Palin's infant. Press proclaims this as irrefutable proof of McCain's manliness and ability to be a strong leader.
Week of Oct. 27th. McCain announces that he is divorcing his second wife, Cindy, to marry......you guessed it, Paris Hilton. Press reminds folks that McCain spent 5 and 1/2 years inside the Hanoi Hilton. Keith Olbermann is only pundit to speculate that McCain won't last 5 and 1/2 minutes inside Paris Hilton.