This is exactly what the GOP wanted: A DISTRACTION

Now is the time when Americans really start paying attention, and the GOP knew this. They obviously don't care about qualifications to be in office. They were the party capable of turning a horrible American (GWB) into a credible candidate and leader and--to some--a hero.

Sarah Palin doesn't matter. She is a vacuous hole for the GOP to pour the worst parts of themselves into and prop up as something new and shiny.

The GOP would rather anything be talked about for the next 2 months besides the issues and their record. Why? Because that's where they lose big. Literally, anything other than that. Talk about Sarah Palin's pregnant teenage daughter, drool over her "A Star Is Born" story line. Whatever else, but not the issues.

Lash out at critics and the media and cry sexism and disrespect and create a battle where none exists in order to distract from the larger war.

What do we as Obama supporters need to do to win? Focus on the issues! And like all celebrities hope that Sarah Palin falls flat on her face before election day. And maybe help her along with that.

You know the only difference between George Bush and Sarah Palin? Lipstick.

We need to keep on target. Forget the bimbo-- issues, issues, issues!!!

When are Democrats going to learn this?

People vote for president mostly based on emotion.

Is the guy honest?
Is he sincere?
Does he understand me?
Does he care about my situation?
Does his life experiences parallel mine?
Is he smart enough?

That is why Obama is in such a good position to win -- he has a great story; he is honest; he is smart, etc.

Issues only reinforce the 'gut' feeling people have about a candidate for president.

So, the Palin controversy may appear to be a distraction, but for McCain it is a terrible distraction because it amplifies how out-of-touch he is, how much of a panderer to the religious right he is.

Palin's sneering face should be rammed down McCain's throat.

And that photo of McCain hugging Bush.

Those emotive images are the entry point for discussion of issues -- it is not the other way round.

on with important matters. I am heartened by the fact that not many people watched the RNC compared to other years, let alone this year's DNC! Also, that the RNC was by no means a full hall (from what I heard). Let's hope interest in her runs its course... I'm sick to death of her already. I can't tell you.

This is the thing about our candidate, Obama, now. Obama is someone that can clearly win on image, character. McCain sure has an image as well, but he has weaknesses. We need to capitalize on McCain's weaknesses and promote Obama's more solid image.

she isn't doing so well, hasn't for a while now. but she said she watched Palin's speech and didn't understand why the people there were cheering. this lady isn't into politics as much as we are so i told her that the people at the convention are party members who support the candidates.

but she said that she didn't really understand her speech, that she didn't say anything and then she started saying stuff about Obama.

my feeling is that people who are looking for solutions to job, health care, education etc felt this way when watching that speech.

the same goes for McCain's .

People who are looking to the candidates this year for real solutions no doubt felt that her speech was paltry at best in that regard.

highlights his lack of judgment, and his lack of concern for the people of the United States. How anyone could say that Sarah Palin, the unknown unknown choice of John McCain, who could very well be the next President of the United States is nothing more than a distraction is to me frightening.