That is pundits will be saying when they look back at the Sarah Palin choice. The Sleeping Giant is us, the progressives in this country. I know in my heart that she is destined to fall flat on her face, maybe it will be at the debate, or maybe the drips of hypocritical information that keep coming out about her. But the side effect of all of this will be that she has awoken us from our months of comfort and slumber and our overconfidence in our candidate. The net result will be a victory for Democrats in November but only if we continue to awake from our long slumber.
The sleeping giant is awakening as we speak. This Palin Bounce that they are experiencing now is temporary... she hasn't been subjected to the full weight of the campaign yet, and I know she will become a liability before too long. However, we should be thankful she came along... the increased competitiveness of this campaign is getting more people involved who would have otherwise been on the sidelines. People that will have a stake in the seeing the new Obama administration succeed. People who don't want 4 more years of the last 8 years of corruption and cronyism, fear mongering and incompetence, pigheadedness (ut-oh, did I say pig?) and willful ignorance. These people are actually getting involved, and that's what will not only win this election, but install a new progressive majority across the whole country.
Here are a few examples of friends of mine, some very moderate that are now getting involved:
My friend
him: I am going to reno nevada the weekend of the 19th to register voters. I know you have a baby and all but are you down?
me: I'm so glad you're getting involved... I'll be there
A friend of a friend
This past week I have found myself unusually and intensely emotional from that bad acid trip that has been referred to as the Republican Vice Presidential acceptance speech. I actually watched a decent amount of the RNC, scanning through Guilianni's speech, and watching the entire Palin speech. When I told <friend X> I saw the whole thing, he was amazed I made it through. I didn't think it was worth amazement - it's just a fuckwad on TV, after all, but considering how it's been eating at me the past few days, it was more than political ritual, more than just another election, more than partisan "yeah-yeah-yeah".
Activism has been a trait I've begrudgingly admired from afar, but always too annoyed by to actually engage in - I can't really call myself a "joiner." I hate to stump for what will likely be disappointment, but disappointment seems like a sweet nectar compared to the bitter, seductive meanness that the RNC put forth.
Take a look at http://my.barackobama.com/... for one, or try something else that seems more palpable. Try to make your 1 vote maybe turn into 1.03 votes. For fuck's sake, it's worth a shot. I'll let you know how it goes...
Another more liberal friend
I think I'm going to fly from California and go to Virgina from November 1st - November 5th to get out the vote
Sister in law
You know....I used to like McCain (I didn’t agree with him on most issues, but had something close to a genuine appreciation for the role he USED TO play as somewhat of a maverick in his party).
Of all the stuff that has come out about Palin....the one that bugs me the most is the last one you mention below:
Apparently McCain had spoken to her once in person, and team responsible to "vet" her only started a day before she was announced! That is a potential blunder of colossal proportions.
That is the opposite of the "judgement to lead" ticket he is running on. "Country First"....pure BS at this point. He should change his signs to "Campaign First".
Disgraceful is what it is. That alone is worthy of a special comment by olbermann. I'm going to do everything I can in NC to make sure McCain-Palin never see the White House
These people are part of the Sleeping Giant that will take back the White House in 2008. I for one am glad they are waking up. Do your part and wake up everybody you can and have them join, help, contribute, and take back this country!