Palin Makes 'Green' Obama Look Golden

When John McCain picked Sarah Palin, he hoped she’d measure up nicely against Barack Obama's rock-star appeal. “The choice is Obama vs. Palin,” Lindsey Graham explained, “and she has done things rather than talk about things.” Instead, Palin is proving just how impressive Obama is, writes Jonathan Allen of CQ Politics. “In nearly two years on the campaign trail, the Democratic nominee has never once looked as lost as Palin” did in her televised interviews.

Many conservatives remain enthusiastic about Palin —“To me, she’s tested,” said one Republican, adding that Palin attracts “rabid Hannah Montana-like fans.” But she hasn’t played nearly so well with independents, driving them toward Obama. In a recent poll just 42% said Palin was qualified to be president, compared with 52% for Obama. Even if those numbers improve, McCain has terminally undercut questions about Obama’s readiness. (More Sarah Palin stories.)