Lalo is down on Josh and TPM, but she wants talking points. She wants a controlled response from a disparate group of people. See: http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/09/sarah-palin-1-josh-marshall-0.php Some blame those who sought to begin the vetting process upon Palin's announcement for turning her into a hero and will pin the blame on them should McCain win the election. But, let's consider some other possibilities? 1. Maybe getting some doubts about Palin into the media in advance of the convention was a good idea. Letting the GOP roll her out while remaining silent seems to me a very bad strategy (one you would have probably criticized had they gone that route). 2. That the Republicans would have focused on the small percentage of the angry left that cannot be controlled regardless what is done by the "Progressive" blogosphere. They are going to use whatever cards they are dealt or slipped into their sleeves. 3. It forced the GOP and Palin to overplay their hand. Yes, attacking the media plays well to the general public. But, she doesn't look like much of a victim after her speech. There are still two months for the questions about Palin (and lack of substance on issues like the economy) to be explored. The faucet hasn't been turned off. 4. A certain portion of the public, let's call them Fox News watching Republicans, love talking points. After accusing Obama supporters of drinking the kool-aid some are now advocating that all Democrats take a swig. It's not only impossible to put everyone into this little box, it would be our downfall as a party and a nation. The appeal to independents is the welcoming of different ideas and perspectives. Yes, sometimes they tend toward the extreme but these are easily criticized (some people think they are geniuses when they do so) or ignored.