How Obama should handle Palin
Should Democrats attack McCain's running mate, or ignore her?
Barack Obama shot back at Sarah Palin, said Jeralyn Merritt in the TalkLeft blog, countering the GOP vice-presidential nominee’s convention speech by saying it was “the same kind of Republican attacks we’ve heard from George Bush for eight years.” Bulls-eye. He’s got to continue knocking down the claim that John McCain’s ticket promises change before the argument begins to “resonate.”
The Democrats’ assaults will get increasingly “desperate and vicious,” said William Kristol in The Daily Standard, because they know that Palin is a threat to their claim to “speak for youth, for women, and for the future.” But “they’ll fail,” because the McCain-Palin ticket connects with America.
The Democrats should resist the temptation to attack Palin's experience, said Ross Douthat in his blog at TheAtlantic.com, or anything about her. Instead, they should relentlessly go after McCain, because that’s a fight that will be “very, very hard for Democrats to lose.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why Spain's economy is booming
The Explainer Immigration, tourism and cheap energy driving best growth figures in Europe
By The Week UK Published
-
5 trips where the journey is the best part
The Week Recommends Slow down and enjoy the ride
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
5 tax deductions to know if you are self-employed
The explainer You may be able to claim home office, health insurance and other tax deductions
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?
Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
US election: who the billionaires are backing
The Explainer More have endorsed Kamala Harris than Donald Trump, but among the 'ultra-rich' the split is more even
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
1 of 6 'Trump Train' drivers liable in Biden bus blockade
Speed Read Only one of the accused was found liable in the case concerning the deliberate slowing of a 2020 Biden campaign bus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published