Did Palin Sink McCain's Chances? Or Wasn't It Just His Cynicism And Bad Judgment?

All the polls differ slightly but they are all pointing in the same direction: a big win for Obama and a massive repudiation of Republican governance (unless you want to listen to far right loons who claim all the pollsters are conspiring against McCain). Yesterday we referenced a Pew Poll that claimed "growing doubt about McCain's judgment, age and campaign conduct" have led to a 52-38% breakdown between the two campaigns. That's landslide territory. And the gap is not closing; it's widening. The new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll isn't quite as dire for McCain-- but still plenty dire: a 52-42% breakdown, fueled by growing Obama support from independents, suburban voters, Catholics and white women. These voters are feelings towards Obama include "increased confidence in his ability to serve as commander in chief" and a belief that he will do a good job as president.

This is further reflected in a report from Editor & Publisher that more than 2 dozen newspapers that had backed Bush in 2004, are already on board for Obama this year. This included some influential powerhouses like the New York Daily News (circulation 703,137), the Chicago Tribune (541,663), the Denver Post (225,193), the Houston Chronicle (494,131), the Austin American-Statesman (170,309), the San Bernardino Sun (54,315), the Wisconsin State Journal (87,930), the New Haven Register (72,613) and the Long Beach Press Telegram (85,595). And keep in mind that neither the L.A. Times nor the Cleveland Plain Dealer endorsed in 2004 and both papers have come out for Obama this year. Overall, Obama has been endorsed by four times as many newspapers as McCain.

Even before the news broke about how GOP campaign contributions were used for a $150,000 shopping spree for Palin and her family, Bob Geiger was pointing out that most of the newspapers endorsing Obama are basing that endorsement, at least partially, on McCain's terrible judgment and cynicism in his selection of Sarah Palin as VP.

[O]f the myriad mistakes made by McCain since he secured the Republican nomination from their confused field of empty GOP suits, the majority of newspapers urging readers to vote for Obama in two weeks cite the faux maverick's choice of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate as a major executive decision that made them question his fitness for the presidency.

To be sure, the endorsements offer enthusiastic support for Obama and his platform for change but it's hard to miss how many of them use phrases like "clearly unqualified" to describe Palin and call McCain's choice "reckless," "appalling," a "disaster" and "…an insult to the American people."

The Salt Lake Tribune is a Republican newspaper in a Republican hellhole. McCain is leading in Utah by an average of 35.7%. It's the single most reactionary part of the country, a virtual 12th Century theocracy in the middle of the United States. Yet even their biggest newspaper couldn't help but notice that "out of nowhere, and without proper vetting, the impetuous McCain picked Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate. She quickly proved grievously underequipped to step into the presidency should McCain, at 72 and with a history of health problems, die in office. More than any single factor, McCain's bad judgment in choosing the inarticulate, insular and ethically challenged Palin disqualifies him for the presidency."

The Stockton Record is just as Republican-- another paper that endorsed Bush in 2004-- and they also were horrified by McCain's adolescent and extremely dangerous choice of Palin.

"If elected, at 72, he would be the oldest incoming president in U.S. history. He's in good health now, we're told, although he has withheld most of his medical records. That means Gov. Sarah Palin could very well become president.

"And that brings us to McCain's most troubling trait: his judgment.

"While praiseworthy for putting the first woman on a major-party presidential ticket since Geraldine Ferraro in 1984, his selection of Palin as a running mate was appalling. The first-term governor is clearly not experienced enough to serve as vice president or president if required. Her lack of knowledge is being covered up by keeping her away from questioning reporters and doing interviews only with those considered friendly to her views."

Delusional far right extremists, on the other hand, are still cheering Palin as the best decision McCain has ever made. Let's pray they get their way and she's the Republican nominee in 2012. As her approval ratings among normal people sink into oblivion, the far right of her discredited party still loves her.

[T]he fact that Palin's numbers have faltered among the general electorate and that some in the conservative chattering class have soured on her only strengthens her profile among rank and file conservatives come 2012.

In late September polling by the Post (the last time we asked detailed questions of voter attitudes on Palin) nearly nine in ten (87 percent) Republicans and 84 percent of conservatives felt favorably toward her. More than six in ten felt "strongly" favorable.

...Palin is clearly OF the conservative base in a real and meaningful way; they view her as their first real spokesperson on the national stage in recent memory -- perhaps since Ronald Reagan. It's hard to imagine those feelings going away because she has not worn well with either moderate and independent minded voters of the conservative media.

And, for those who argue that questions of electability in a general election will dog Palin if and when she is a candidate for president, we say pish-posh... Like her or hate her, Palin remains VERY much in the mix as a 2012 candidate.

A Palin candidacy should finish them off for another 2 generations. Fingers crossed!