And let's not get into the flip-flop argument. Both Obama and McCain have flip-flopped this year. And anyway, who cares if you flip-flop if you land in the right place? DeMint notes that Palin cut nearly 10 percent of Alaska's budget. And he should have reminded folks that Obama voted for the pork-barrel farm bill -- chock full of earmarks and waste -- and then voted again to overturn President Bush's veto of the bill.
A USA Today headline says "Palin Did Not Ban Books in Wasilla as Mayor." After interviewing a bunch of local folks, the author simply could not confirm the charge made by left-wing bloggers.
In "The Hunt for Sarah October," the Wall Street Journal's John Fund writes about a 30-lawyer S.W.A.T. team of Obama Democrats descending on Alaska in search of dirt related to "Palin's troopergate." They found nothing that hasn't already aired about Palin's alcoholic ex-brother-in-law who Tasered his stepson.
Over in the Journal's Political Diary, Steve Moore says GOP House members back from vacation are actually talking about picking up seats in November, with a recent USA Today poll putting GOP members up four points on the question: Who do you support, the Republican or the Democrat for Congress in your district?
Even the financial pages are looking better. Oil is about to drop under $100 a barrel. Gold is plunging. And the greenback continues to rally in true King Dollar fashion. Is there a Sarah Palin effect here, too?
On the campaign trail, Palin says, "We're going to drill now to make this nation energy independent." And she adds that she's "ready to help John McCain bring tax relief to all Americans." That's the disciplined Sarah on message. She signaled this in St. Paul when she said the difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull is lipstick. Obama picked up on the dark side of that metaphor. But Palin's really saying: Don't tread on me. Don't try to intimidate me. I am a strong, tough mom who is determined to succeed in politics.
That's just what she's doing.