People are losing their homes and health care problems threaten their very lives. If the Republicans are to maintain their hold on the Presidency, they must minimize discussion and focus on economic issues. There just are not enough voters making over $5 million a year to carry the day for McCain.
The Republican game plan is now clear - they are moving the focus and discussion from what sociologists call the profane (world we live in) to the sacred (the world of spirits). What would Jesus do? No, not the real Jesus who never mentioned homosexuality or abortion, but the Republican version of Jesus who supports money lenders and usury.
Thus the Sarah Palin pick.
The more we talk about religion the less time voters will be thinking about the economic mess Republicans created for the bottom 95% on our economic ladder. The two wedge issues that have played well in the past are abortion and gay rights. Palin's resume bodes well for both issues.
The "deny gay/lesbian basic civil rights" meme will not be a significant wedge issue on the national stage. The trend lines in the General Social Survey find gay/lesbian acceptance has increased significantly since 1990, even among Bible literalists and fundamentalists. It might play well in selected areas but those places are already in the Republican's pocket.
But abortion is another matter - the country is more equally divided. But peoples’ view depend a great deal on how the question is asked and the issue is framed. Democrats need to be aware of this and direct their arguments accordingly.
When it comes to "abortion on demand" or "for any reason," Democrats are evenly split with Republicans 2 to 1 opposed. Arguing position or framing abortion as a "yes" or "no" issue is a loser for Democrats.
But if we frame it as should a woman be able to abort if 1) she was raped; 2) the fetus is defective; or 3) the mother’s health is in danger, both Democrats and Republicans are in overwhelmingly in favor of those exceptions. Democrats should always note that Palin opposes these exceptions and would allow abortion only if the mother faced imminent death.
A better, but possibly more difficult strategy, is to take back the "rights" meme. Republicans have done a great job framing this as an issue between the Supreme Court and States Rights. That is not the battle.
The distinction is whether a woman in consultation with her doctor or her State government has this right to make this decision. Frame the argument as "McCain and Palin want your State government to control a woman's body. Do you trust your State to do that or should the pregnant woman have that right to make her own decision?"
Of course, the best strategy is to do everything we can to talk about the failed economy and our dysfunctional health care system. But if forced to talk about the "sacred," do it wisely.
Palin is not going to pull an Eagelton. She is glossy and slick. The Republican smear machine is gearing up. Do not underestimate Palin or misunderstand why she has been chosen to ride in McCain’s sidecar.