Open Thread

For general discussion and debate. Possible talking point: Is attacking Sarah Palin Barack Obama's only chance to win the White House?

It goes without saying that the announcement of Palin as John McCain's running mate has energized Republicans like nothing we've seen in decades. Now, polls are showing that she has also excited independents and white women across the country putting McCain ahead in this race for virtually the first time since it began.

With this in mind, is this race over unless Obama and his media minions can either find dirt on Palin that sticks, or force her into a serious gaffe with the cameras rolling? Do Obama and his surrogates know this, and that's why all they've been doing for going on two weeks is attacking this woman?

How does Obama win if his entire campaign is exclusively on the Bash Palin Bandwagon? More importantly, will such attacks further alienate women that Obama desperately needs to win on Election Day?