Then the first impression begins to solidify: Here's someone who's
demanding, most of all of herself. I've got this instinctive impulse to
stand up straight, salute, and shout: Yes, ma'am! Wilco!
Always reserving the right to tear the lady apart in snarky columns to come,
my first reaction: a masterstroke. Congratulations, John McCain. Sir.
The scandalmongering can come later. Indeed, it's already begun. You'll hear
a lot of things about the lady. Order up a carload of salt.
I write this surrounded by a sea of shining shards that used to be a glass
ceiling. Hillary Clinton put 18 million cracks in it this year, and now
Sarah Palin has broken right through it. Naturally she'll be attacked as too
inexperienced for the job. By supporters of . . . Barack Obama for the
top job. End of argument.
Hey, what a country. I know that's an old line, but it always sounds new.
Like America herself. Tell me again that John McCain is somehow a threat to
the American dream. All of Barack Obama's stirring attacks in his foamy
acceptance speech seem to have gone flat overnight.
Old John McCain is starting to look young at heart, and young in mind. And
Joe Biden just old. Talk about surprises: Senator Biden may be in for a few
in that vice presidential debate. Note another telling little detail in the
lady's curriculum vitae: Sarah Palin, aka
Sarah Barracuda back then, was a point guard on her high school basketball
team. What a contrast she'll make with the slick senator from Delaware.
She's genuine.
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