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.

McCain became the presumptive nominee for the Republican party in March.  Obama in June.

Based on this you might have expected that McCain would have voted more often than Obama.

McCain has the reputation of being a Maverick despite having voted with Bush 95% of the time in 2007.  But, maybe 2008 is different...let's see.

Since mid-April there have been 100 votes in the Senate. 

McCain has zero votes.  That's right, on the last 100 votes in Senate he's not voted.  Nadda, zilch.  Apparently the Straight Talk Express doesn't come to Washington DC.

Obama has seventeen votes and on three of them he bucked the party line.  We can go back and argue the FISA decision if you want, but at least he made a decision.

Source:
http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/m000303/votes/
http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/o000167/votes/

After being trashed by Rove and Bush in 2000, the Maverick Man decided to take on a stealth mission.

As his votes on tax cuts and other important issues show it was occassionally difficult at first to sever the few ties he had to reason and logic.  McCain even swallowed his pride, FOR US, and endorsed W in 2004.

He knew to win the nomination he must vote with Bush as often as possible.  In a selfless act not seen from John since his service in the military he had decided to kill any chance for a Republican to take office in 2008.

Not even his closest advisors knew what he planned.  Only Cindy knew.  She bought all those houses so that they would not gain the biggest and whitest one available.

The Senator from Arizona will do everything he can to ensure the GOP will not win in November.  It's a difficult battle against the forces of apathy and stupidity in our country.  The media is doing everything it can to overcome this sabotage.  But, as the Palin pick shows John is determined and he will succeed!!!