What's the Pig Deal?  —  IT'S HARD to think of a presidential campaign with a wider chasm between the seriousness of the issues confronting the country and the triviality, so far anyway, of the political discourse.  On a day when the Congressional Budget Office warned of looming deficits …

Obama Can't Win Against Palin  —  Of all the advantages Gov. Sarah Palin has brought to the GOP ticket, the most important may be that she has gotten into Barack Obama's head.  How else to explain Sen. Obama's decision to go one-on-one against “Sarah Barracuda,” captain of the Wasilla High state basketball champs?

GOP foreign policy experts cool on Palin  —  In state after state, rally after rally, Sarah Palin is generating record levels of enthusiasm among the Republican base.  Crowds chant her name, congressional candidates cite her in their ads and there are numerous reports of a surge in grass roots volunteers for the McCain campaign.

Canadian doctor warns Sarah Palin's decision to have Down baby could reduce abortions  —  Sarah and Todd Palin's decision to complete her recent pregnancy, despite advance notice that their baby Trig had Down syndrome, is hailed by many in the pro-life movement as walking the walk as well as talking the talk.

What Sarah Palin tells us about Obama  —  Here are a few thoughts of my own on the lipstick on a pig moment (see this earlier post for the views of others).  —  First, demonstrating that McCain had used the same phrase before doesn't cut it.  —  The reason the pig idea popped …

Obama Readjusts to Defuse Palin Phenomenon  —  Campaign Aims To Shift the Debate From Personalities  —  Sen. Barack Obama, slipping in national polls, is showing signs of being distracted by the enthusiasm generated by the McCain-Palin ticket and is planning a sharper message focused on economic anxiety.

Why Do Lies Prevail?  —  John McCain was not offended when Barack Obama described McCain's policy agenda as putting “lipstick on a pig.”  I can't prove that, but it seems so obvious to me that it's more like a fact than an opinion.  Nor could McCain possibly have thought …

Palin Returns To Alaska  —  Upon arrival, she bypassed the press (oh no!) on the tarmac to see someone special:  —  UPDATE: Welcome, National Review (thanks, Lisa).  Today is so schizophrenic.  On the one hand we get a peek at unalloyed joy (above), and on the other we're reminded of some of the ugliest Americans and their friends.

Biden bows to Clinton  —  Biden, today in Nashua, NH, in response to an inaudible question from an audience member:  —  “Make no mistake about it Hillary Clinton is as qualified as or more qualified than I am” to be vice president, Biden said.  “And quite frankly, she may have been a better pick than me.”

Squad of G.O.P. Aides Prepares Palin for Interviews  —  Two weeks ago, People magazine was granted an exclusive interview with Senator John McCain's new running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska, who spoke about motherhood and career, life in Alaska and the historic nature of her candidacy.

All Beliefs Welcome, Unless They are Forced on Others  —  Belief in god, like getting pregnant, is a private matter between consenting adults (or one consenting adult and one or more deities) and is no one else's business.  I am on record in this blog (and have not budged an inch) as not objecting to any candidate's religious views.

DAVID FRUM: The Democrats' Credibility Gap  —  Bob Shrum tells us that John McCain and Sarah Palin are falling short in their populism.  Nobody has deployed the rhetoric of populism more ferociously and more often than Bob Shrum, so his assessment carries weight.

Ethics Adviser Warned Palin About Trooper Issue  —  Letter Described Situation as ‘Grave,’ Called for Apology  —  ANCHORAGE, Alaska — An informal adviser who has counseled Gov. Sarah Palin on ethics issues urged her in July to apologize for her handling of the dismissal …

Did McCain Tamper with the Drug Enforcement Agency to Protect His Career?  —  You can Digg this post here.  I have more video from Gosinski)  —  A whistleblower is coming forth against John and Cindy McCain, and the picture he is painting is not a pretty one.

Joe Biden and the Incredible Lightness of Being  —  Watching Joe Biden is better than examining the polls or listening to talking heads, since he instantaneously reflects cockiness, aggression, bombast, depression, and loss of confidence, predicated on the emotional pulse of the campaign.

PALIN'S BOOK-BANNING EFFORTS, REDUX.... Here's what we know about Sarah Palin's interest in banning books.  Time reported last week that Palin asked the Wasilla librarian, Mary Ellen Baker, about the process for banning library books.  Baker was reportedly “aghast” at the question.