Well this is my first diary. First, I would just like to thank everyone for their diaries and comments. This site has been such a great asset for learning and keeping pace with the times.
However, now I feel it's time to give back with just over three weeks until the election. With the news that Sarah Palin abused her power as AK governor the Obama camp needs to take care to frame the situation properly to drive home the narrative of McCain's judgment.
The key to this situation, in my humble opinion, is to go after McCain, not Palin. One of the major ongoing narratives from the Obama campaign has been that he has the judgment, and McCain does not. This is the perfect opportunity to solidify that thought, and effectively control the frame of the debate from here to the election.
First, Obama needs an ad, or some news article to stir the pot and get the media whirring over this. I imagine a thirty second spot going something like this would do the trick:
Narrator: John McCain's largest decision as an executive in his campaign so far was to select a running mate. Now, a newly released probe indicates his running mate violated an Alaskan state ethics law.
*Statute 39.52.110 (a) scrolls on the bottom of the screen*
Did John McCain not know she was being investigated or doesn't he think ethics is important?
Is this the kind of judgment we want to continue dominating Washington?
Picture with Bush
The key to this is not to mention Palin. She's not running for president and it was John McCain's judgment that was highly questionable. Leave the criticism of Palin to the media, but stir the pot. Get everyone talking about judgment. If the campaign can get everyone focused on judgment and the economy, the frame will be working in Obama's favor.
Judgment
Judgment
Judgment
Edit: As much as I would like to attack Palin (as people in the comments have made clear they do), it is not a winning strategy. We need to focus the frame. The debate can't be about her; that's exactly what McCain wants. If everyone is stuck talking about her, he receives LESS criticism. And it's his name people will be voting for, not hers.