The first question people ask when I mention Alaska's governor Sarah Palin is "Who???"

The second is: Why are you bothering to push for the SECOND seat on the GOP ticket a politician that isn't even running?

Let me answer the second question first.

Recently, a number of the politically aware Right have noticed the duplicity of the Republican In Name Only press.  These are one issue talk show host / columnists who have very little concept of "LOYALTY",  the most basic of "principles".  They have spun words like "support" into negative connotations that can be (and frequently are) bartered to the politician that will bow to their demands.

And like me, it has depressed them as all get out.

For nearly 2 years...since the Miers borking, I've been "sounding the alarm" ...most of the old posters on TH told me that DESPITE their negativity, they couldn't see the American voter putting in "those Liberals" in charge of Congress.  I did the whole business analogy  thing...pointing out that "disagreeing publically" was like claiming that EVERYONE worked for your company so the bashing of your products "didn't really matter" and was "good for the company."

But 2006 came and guess who had the majority?

I am singing the SAME tune some 6 months later...and while others have now joined me, it is little solace to the day when the Dems will strike up the band and the rockets "bursting in the air" are from terrorists "testing" the resolve of the party of appeasers.

Imagine if you will...coming to a board meeting.  On one side of the presentation table are our products for the new Spring line.  It's the same old stuff with the same old flaws, but it's basic and our marketing people can sell it with their eyes close.

On the other side is the (hiss...make the sign of the cross) competition's offering.  We all know that it is a BAD product, but it's been repackaged and it has the gold star feel of "cool".  You know that your people while sitting on the john during a difficult session, think for a nano second of pushing that product--and feel the muscles relax--and they are finally able to "finish their business".

At this particular meeting, SOMEBODY slips on the table a new "thingie"...It's way on the outer corner...and honestly, you might have missed it entirely...except, your eyes got so bored at what was being presented that it rolled on it's own volition. 

"Hey" you say, picking the thingie up.  "What IS this?"

Some kid tells you rather proudly that it's a "Palin" and it's HIS find.

You smile among the loud guffaw.

It IS rather cute...and operating purely on a personal basis, you flick a switch and push a button...

And now a real smile appears on your face because it is tapping into every marketing part of your body.

It is a basic unit--really.  Nothing extraordinarily innovating.  It's not going to be the "have to have" gadget of every political kid out there.

But to the average consumer...the busy people who just wants something that really works and that they can actually understand...Palin would represent the greatest of marketing pull...the "guess it's time to buy it" reasoning.

Most consumers (voters) will look at a Black candidate with about as much enthusiasm as buying life insurance...a female candidate is something who's time has come...like buying that MP3 player.

A "Hillary" is like that first cell phone...ugly  as all get out and about as mobile as a suitcase.

Palin is comfortable...fits into most people's perception of "successful mother/wife/career woman".  She's got 4 kids that the older generation can love and a husband that meets BOTH male AND female approval.

"Functions" that actualy work...like being fiscally and socially conservative...she's the mother you had or wish you did.  The young teacher all the guys in school were secretly in love with and the natural born leader who either led her team to victory or made them feel like winners.

She is...

"WAIT A MINUTE"..someone says out loud..."you don't KNOW ALL that".

You turn to that person and toss the little gadget into her palm...allow her to feel the fit and judge it's weight.

"No," you agree with a glint of hope and excitement that hasn't been in your eyes for months, "I don't KNOW that, but I can sell it.  Most importantly, my marketing team can sell it." 

You turn and point to the "Hillary" and the "Obama" sitting on the competitor's side and adds the truth behind most decisions..."We either try a Palin or we give in to THOSE."