NOW, thensend Obama and Biden out to hit the road, hard!  Have them LIVE in those battle ground states.

They are going to hide Palin in the churches and in invitation only events, lest the press have at her.

McCain is going to get very angry when this starts slipping away.

Push the advantage NOW, be out there every day selling the message.

Remember too the ground game in the rust belt is massive for Obama and is nonexistent for McPOW.

Of all the "battleground" states, I think Palin hurts McCain the most in Flordia among senior citizens who probably dislike her for the same reasons they dislike Obama, jewish voters, and Cubans who place a lot of emphasis on foreign policy and national security.

I'd also like to see the next Virginia poll.  Lori has rightly pointed out that the polls indicated that Obama wasn't beating McCain by a large enough margin in northern virginia to eventually win the state in November; I think Palin could give Obama a chance to get the Warner-like margins that he'll need in Northern VA, in addition to jacking up black turnout, to win the state.

worst.veep-choice.ever.

She is going to energize the psycho-wing of the Republican party (unless there turns out to be some real evidence that she is in favor of Alaska seceding from the Union.)

But other than that I just don't see what she brings to the ticket. I was really afraid when the pick was announced. It turns out that of all the things that could go wrong with this election for us Sarah Palin is really not on the list.

I'm still somewhat worried about Palin's potential pull among apolitical women.

I had a numbing example in that regard late this afternoon, a phone call from my 65ish aunt in Miami, asking if I was going to watch Palin tonight. She had joy in her voice, genuine curiosity, to the point she knew exactly what time the speech was slated to begin.

This is the first year I've seen her engaged in politics, as a Hillary supporter throughout the winter and spring. She was miffed when Hillary fell behind, and frequently wanted me to encourage her that Hillary would pull it out. I kept finessing things while trying to detail the bottom line, very close but not within reach.

A month ago she called and asked about Obama, knowing I wasn't overly enthused about him but wanting assurance I would vote that way. I told her, of course, and she indicated the same thing. But tonight she seems to be flirting with Sarah Palin and therefore McCain.

Kerry was strong after the Convention too, stronger than Obama.  And we know what happened.

I know many are working hard, but I just don't have a good feeling for November.  I think many left-wing bloggers are as insulated as the right-wingers.  Too much self-importance going on with both sides.