Yeah, me either. I think that is because we already knew on a pre-conscious level that, for all her strengths, she is not yet seasoned or knowledgeable enough to handle this degree of pressure and responsibility. I’m not dissing anything about her as a person, or her as a Christian. And if she does after this VP campaign experience develop an abiding interest in national and international affairs, and can disentangle herself from corporate conservativism (unlikely), she may come back as a potent populist politician on the national stage. But that is all immaterial at the moment.

Basically, we had to wait for Letterman to point out her absence because “we” (pragmatically minded people of conservative, independent, and liberal stripe) already understood she is not a leader to turn to for help or clarity in this situation. We didn’t think to ask it, because we already knew she can’t. And while maybe in 1996 at a time of little worry or plenty the American people may have been willing to overlook this–shucks, we did ‘let it slide’ so to speak with Dan Quayle–but now, with the cold water of sobriety really hitting our faces, Letterman just pointed out the positive proof that Palin had already made through her conduct for us to see. Not ready to lead.

RUN, MCCAIN, RUN!

If this isn’t a politcal ploy (which it obviously is) to run away from a debate AND get Palin (who has already shown she can’t handle the pressure of an interview, much less a debate) out of her debate, then it’s either a desperate grap for a photo op or an immense ego in thinking his presence is going to make the difference.

Please, please, people. Wise up. McCain is doing exactly what Bush did. Divert attention away from issues, keep hidden (and especially hide Palin) and do as little interviews/debates as possible.

I repeat – Run, McCain, Run.