I thoroughly agree, but have you seen what's going on in the rest of the blogasphere? They're going nuts on the daughter/baby issue. This one is out of the barn and I hate it, because, as a mother, I can't see how there's any way that outing this tragedy helps our cause? And, no, I'm not assuming the story is true, but if it is and the girl winds up committing suicide because of all of this horrific sliming, it's Barack Obama who's going to pay the price, not the anonymous blog commentators.

RE: Foreign policy... Palin on Iraq:

"The GOP agenda to ramp up domestic supplies of energy is the only way that we're going to become energy independent, the only way that we are going to become a more secure nation — and I say this, of course, looking at the situation we are in right now, at war, not knowing what the plan is to ever end the war that we're engaged in, understanding that Americans are seeking solutions, and they are seeking resolution in this war effort, so energy supplies, being able to produce and supply domestically, is going to be a big part of that.

...I have a 19 year old who's getting ready to be deployed to Iraq. His Stryker brigade will leave on September 11th of this year. He's 19, he'll be gone for a year. [And so] kind of on a personal level, when I talk about, umm, the plan for the war, you know, let's make sure we have a plan here, and respecting McCain's position on that."

and...
read the comments from Alaskans regarding their Governor as of June 2007 here.

and any trips to Saddleback in her future? (from TIME magazine):

What's your religion?

Christian.

Any particular...?

No. Bible-believing Christian.

What church do you attend?

A non-denominational Bible church. I was baptized Catholic as a newborn and then my family started going to non-denominational churches throughout our life.

It's worth noting that in this interview with TIME's Jay Newton Small, conducted Aug 14, before becoming VP, her infant son is noted as being three months old. He was born on April 18th. He was just shy of being 4 months old. (And note, most moms and doctors describe their babies in weeks first, then switch to months... especially when they are in between "whole" numbers. I'm just sayin'.)

Trust me, I won't be describing her as "hot" anytime soon. As librarian or schoolmarm, maybe.

She said she doesn't know what's going on in Iraq. I guess now we can criticize?

ABC News

In July, Palin told CNBC’s Larry Kudlow that “as for that VP talk all the time, I tell ya, I still can’t answer that question until, until somebody answers for me ‘What it is exactly that the vice president does every day?”

This is just the person to deal with Vladimir Putin if McCain were to croak, not that she'd be any worse.

There is a reason why the Republicans haven't been hammering Biden hard on the Neil Kinnock thing. To most people VP doesn't matter enough to really influence their vote much. That said, I totally agree about the pregnancy rumor and the looks thing. I never bring up the inexperience, but if somebody says to me that Obama has none I think the fact the McCain is an extra order of bacon away from a fatal heart attack and his VP has zero experience is usually an effective comeback. I think a lot of women are happy to have a woman on the ballot. I think a lot of women are insulted by the way she was picked. The main thing we don't want to do is rally other women to her defense with sexism and misogyny.

OK, but on the hidden-daughter-child thing, saying "don't talk about it" is like saying "Whatever you do, don't think about a hippopotamus.

...

...

What are you thinking about RIGHT NOW!

Obama and Biden should focus their attacks on McCain, ignoring Palin unless she comes up with something that needs to be addressed directly. Leno, Letterman and SNL etc. will take care of the rest.

Thanks - all you Vice Principles - I think we've been suitably cautioned.

So let me get this straight, Gov Palin?

Our men and women have been dying in Iraq for 5 1/2 years and you didn't really pay attention to it. Now that your son is going, you suddenly think we should find a plan.

It is normal for a mother to care more about their own child, than the children of others. But to be a serious candidate for the Vice President of the United States, you really should show some concern for the lives of our soldiers.

Barak Obama and Joe Biden have been demanding the Administration present a plan for Iraq since before war started. They have understood for a long time that a good plan goes a long way toward toward making war a little less unpredictable.

Meanwhile back in Alaska, after 5 1/2 years when your son is headed to Iraq, you suddenly become interested in finding a plan. Well, I'm glad you've become aware that some of America's best are dying in Iraq.