Sometimes you wonder what world these political consultants live in. They've made so many fundamental errors in the Republican campaign, it almost makes me pity them. However, their errors can be condensed into two...the mishandling of Sarah Palin, and the mishandling of John McCain.
Number one error: Sarah Palin. By shielding her from the press and any meaningful exchanges, Republican consultants have made her so nervous, that when she does speak to a reporter, it's an unmitigated disaster.
From her history, she seems like a competent person. How much better would it be to let her make a few mistakes at the beginning and then trust her to learn the ropes. She seems like a quick study.
Number two error: Putting McCain in a strait jacket. McCain was beloved by the press and the public for his freewheeling honest style. In their obsession about staying on message, the handlers have made McCain into something he never really was, a standard politician. Their claim about maverick is now based in the past and not the present.
How much better would it be to let him make a few mistakes, that can even be endearing to the American people. It's the reason why he got where he is today. Instead, by bottling McCain up, you create explosions of independence that are risky and will eventually lose the campaign.
By repressing McCain and Palin, the handlers have created an untenable situation. You must let people be who they really are, and let the chips fall where they may. By imposing the strategy for George W. Bush on an entirely different ticket, the handlers have created an unmitigated mess.
