Unless you've been hiding under a rock, or still letting perhaps the greatest speech on progressive values wash over you, you probably know that McCain tapped Alaskan governor Sarah Palin as his vice-presidential nominee. Palin's selection is purely political, an unabashed attempt to lure disenfranchised Hillary voters, both of them, and appeal to social conservatives who would not tolerate a pro-choice vice-president. Unlike the selection of Biden, it could put someone who has only a little more experience than, well, me, a 72-year-old heartbeat away from the presidency.
I think the best way to address Palin's nomination is simply this: go to Louisiana and help prepare for Gustav.
One of the common attacks on Obama is his "flowery rhetoric," that he is an unsubstantial lightweight hiding behind an ability to write and deliver a great speech. Obama started laying those fears to rest last night, addressing social concerns and showing himself to be something of a progressive policy wonk.
The next step? Prove to the country that he is more than "a speech he gave in 2002." Tropical storm Gustav is expected to reach hurricane status, and will likely reach the Gulf Coast on Tuesday, the second day of the Republican National Convention. I think it's time to spend some of those campaign contributions by heading South, helping to prepare the states surrounding the Gulf of Mexico for what could be the next Katrina. The juxtaposition of McCain with balloons and champagane against Obama with sandbags is exactly what the Obama team wants to portray. More than that, though --- it's a good thing, a necessary thing, helping people plan for --- and hopefully avoid --- what could be the next national disaster.
Give McCain his Palin moment for the weekend, letting people wonder "who?" for the next few days before the Republican convention. Barack, you have bigger things to worry about.