Is Sarah Palin sabotaging the McCain campaign?

Apparently, there's some speculation within Republican circles.

I believe it's intentional.

Rogue is the new Maverick.

Whether it's intentional or not, the answer is yes. The polling is undeniable. Moderates, Independents and women hate Sarah Palin and are flocking to the Democratic ticket as a result.

The failure on the part of the Republican base to understand what's going on here is what will (probably) be their undoing in the end.

So, you believe she's outmavericking the maverick?

Seriously, though ... I just think that she's in WAY over her head and can't handle the tasks that have been placed before her. The worst is that she seriously thinks that she IS ready, that she IS qualified, and that she's not the total laughingstock that she has become.

She doesn't seem like the sharpest knife in the drawer, don'tcha know.

I wonder how she'll handle the utter decimation on November 4th, 2008 and 2012.

It doesn't take a smart person to notice that she pulling in bigger crowd than McCain. Somethign like that can do a number on your ego.

Denial, not just a river in Egypt, donchaknow.

It does take a smart person to realize that they're showing up just to see what garbage you spew next.

In her mind and the minds of the delusional base they will think it's not her fault. That the reason they get crushed (if/when it happens) will be because McCain is a phony conservative and that he didn't bring up Ayers and Wright (and Satan) enough. It will be because McCain didn't let Sarah do her barracuda routine enough.

Political reality means nothing to these people. The polls that say that people undoubtedly do not want to hear about Ayers and hate Palin just don't exist because THEY love her just SO MUCH that they cannot fathom why others don't. It's really amazing.

It's a gimmick that everyone saw as a gimmick and has backfired on the campaign so badly that it's cost them the election.

But would you expect any less from a pair of mavericks?

Well she is correct that the McCain campaign did mismanage her step to the national spot light and it has been damaging. So I can understand her deciding to try to salvage what she can since even the McCain campaign knows they have lost. And the McCain campaign lost because they themselves have been mismanaged and have no clear message or plan.

A huge, huge part of that mismanagement was picking Palin.

Palin is today in Iowa, campaigning. McCain is down double-digits in Iowa and has been virtually the entire year.

Think there's another reason why she's there? Maybe? Iowa?

Well, she doesn't have anything to lose, does she? It's not as though McCain has any serious chance of winning.

He is responsible for not properly vetting her, though.

Indeed.

Yes. If AP journos can find it, political operators should be able to.

Wait. What?

I would love it if she's the nominee in 2012, giving us a total cakewalk.

man, the new Top Gun is gonna rock.

Don't be so sure.

Who needs sabotage, when you have photos like this?

Or that crazy Republican straw poll doohickey.

On another note, it will be interesting to see how Palin's premature exposure to the national stage will play out in future elections. It would take a lot to slough off her reputation as a joke, but it's not impossible. And though I think we can all see the potential for Obama's two-term presidency, who knows what the next 4 years will do to change the political milieu.

I am also somewhat concerned that Palin's rogue attitude might have its appeal to moderate and conservative voter in 4-8 years. If Obama is able to weather this economic crisis, plan withdrawal of Iraq, and begin to develop a national health care plan, which would subsequently stabilize our nation, secondary issues (eg, social issues like abortion and gay marriage) might play a more significant role in deciding the next president. Think about the political climate post-Clinton - the major issues were social security and education, and the American people (with a little help from the Supreme Court) thought George Bush would be best equipped to deal with these issues. If we return to a political climate in which we aren't mired in critical situations like war and economic crisis, will American voters again choose a conservative, populist president?

sarah palin is the wild card....

SPOILERS! (Click to view)

I can't wait to see some kind of flow chart of mccains campaign covering everything from his high point to now. it must look loopy.