Last night we witnessed what could only charitably be described as a mismatch of candidates facing off in what could only charitably be referred to as a debate, and the result was very predictable.
Joe Biden demonstrated a command of the issues, the ability to think on his feet, and was able to connect with the audience on a genuine emotional level on more than one occasion. Palin brought talking points and transparent subterfuge to the table, but didn't drool on herself.
This is no surprise to any of us; no one here expected Palin to implode, or start crying, but she doesn't need to. In fact, I'd have paid good money for just 90 minutes of Sarah Palin talking to the camera sans Biden since she's her own worst enemy. I honestly don't know what McCain was thinking when he picked her, but at this point McCain could come out dancing the Charleston next Tuesday night and it wouldn't surprise me.
Ignore the pundits, ignore the spin, because the polls are both consistent and clear. People may "like" Palin, but they don't want her to be Vice President, just as there are people in my circle of friends that I like, but wouldn't trust to feed my pets when I'm away on vacation.
With four weeks to go, we're certainly not out of the woods yet, but the forest is getting sparser. In the next two debates, Obama needs to maintain the same tact that he demonstrated in last Friday's debate, and that Biden demonstrated last night. He needs to be cool, sidestep the desperate, flailing attacks of his rival, and counter-attack in a civil but powerful way. McCain has to come out swinging which puts him at a significant disadvantage. Obama can simply talk about how his platform will address the "kitchen table" problems of America, forcing McCain to come off as angry and vindictive.
We can't rest on the laurels of these recent debate victories, however, nor can we afford to sit back on the sidelines and just enjoy the final few weeks of the campaign as entertaining, self-indulgent theater. Volunteer. Phone bank. Donate. It's our responsibility to do everything in our power to make sure that we protect the final battleground states that McCain absolutely must win in order to take the presidency. His odds are long, but I won't be breathing a sigh of relief until I get to see McCain's concession speech.
This is your campaign. Never forget that.