As has happened so often in the past two years, Gov. Palin has nationalized issues, acting as a lightning rod, thereby allowing mere epigones to venture out into the storm to take a position. Her remarks on ‘death panels’ crystalized that issue, just as her comments on the GZM focused attention on the mosque. Obama, as usual, loses in his match up with Palin. Lacks cojones, I guess.

Americans may not want her for president. But they owe her a lot.