It was fascinating to see the top Republicans struggle with the concept of community organizers this week. After all, these people would never turn to a community organizer. When they have a problem they just call one of the politicians they own.

Suppose they own an oil company and want higher profits. They just call the Bush White House or their friends in Congress and ask for more tax breaks. Suppose they run Halliburton or Blackwater. They call over to the White House or their friends in Congress to get some sweetheart no-bid contracts. Do you think the top executives in major corporations have any use for a community organizer?

Those people who get upset by celebrities attacking hard-working and low-paid community organizers may want to sign the petition demanding an apology.

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John McCain has made stamping out earmarks one of his main issues as a politician. Remember all the mileage he got out of opposing the $1 million earmark for a Woodstock museum?

Given his strong and longstanding opposition to earmarks it is especially impressive that he would be willing to pick someone like Sarah Palin for vice-president. As the Washington Post reports this morning, Governor Pallin managed to secure $27 million (as in 27 Woodstock museums) in earmarks for her little town of 6,700 back when she was mayor. That comes to more than $4000 per person.

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