Bob Herbert: "Palin is the latest G.O.P. distraction."

[NashVegas]

But the Democrats should not push this stuff too far. Ms. Palin is a lot more appealing personally than the often testy guy at the top of her ticket. And the inescapable reality is that there are millions of voters who identify with her, and may be quick to resent attacks that they perceive as bullying or overkill.

Here’s the deal: Palin is the latest G.O.P. distraction. She’s meant to shift attention away from the real issue of this campaign — the awful state of the nation after eight years of Republican rule. The Republicans are brilliant at distractions. Willie Horton was a distraction. The chatter about gays, guns and God has been a long-running distraction. And we all remember the Swift-boat campaign.

If you want a real issue, forget all of the above and revisit Monday’s front page of The New York Times. Hundreds of families are being forced out of their homes each month in Louisville, Ky., because of mortgage foreclosures. With record numbers of poor and homeless students, the public schools are struggling.


http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/02/opinion/02herbert.html

[Richardo]

1. I'll always recommend Bob Herbert.

[NashVegas]

4. I Fear

It's a message few want to hear right now.

[rurallib]

2. Thank you Bob Herbert. Here are a couple more real issues

- national debt
- millions un- or under-insured for health care
- Bush's War
- economy drained
- NCLB and the state of education.

[brentspeak]

3. Bob Herbert continues to be among the best editorialists in the nation

What a total insult that stooges like David Brooks and Bill Kristol work for the same paper.

[AZBlue]

5. And abortion will be a distraction this year, in which she fits perfectly.

[applegrove]

6. Brilliant!