Palin Rips Michelle Obama Over 'Rants Against Whites'

Democrat is protected by his race, not vulnerable because of it

(NEWSER) - John McCain isn’t stoking racism against Barack Obama. If anything, writes Jonah Goldberg in the LA Times, McCain is going easy on the Democrat for fear of appearing racist. When the GOP paints Obama as “different” or Sarah Palin says he doesn’t see America “the way you and I see America,” they’re using the same strategies they have for years—against white candidates. More»

AK gov. steals Dems' after-glow; could attract indy, Hillary voters

(NEWSER) - John McCain turned heads by choosing Sarah Palin today as his running mate, and the Weekly Standard explains why she’s the right woman for the job.

• Democrats just wrapped their glitzy convention, but the Sunday talk shows will be abuzz with Palin chatter.
• The mother of five softens McCain’s “crotchety” image and revives his reputation as “fly-boy and gambler."

America By Heart leaks irk Alaskan

(NEWSER) - Sarah Palin is not happy that excerpts from her new book America By Heart have been leaked online , and she's seeking legal advice—on Twitter. "The publishing world is LEAKING out-of-context excerpts of my book w/out my permission? Isn't that illegal?" she tweeted. Gawker , one of those publishing the excerpts, tweaks her by posting links to a couple of web pages explaining "fair use." More»

And yes, there's a Sarah Palin character

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama's 2008 campaign is the subject of Hope!, a musical set to premiere Jan. 17 in Frankfurt. The production features musical-theater versions of the major players: Michelle, Hillary—looking quite young—John McCain and even Sarah Palin, who sings a solo surrounded by scantily clad dancers. Writer and composer Randall Hutchins, who is American, tells Der Spiegel he got the idea for the production "right at the start of Obama's electoral campaign. I found the atmosphere exciting and that was my inspiration." More»

From Dancin' DeLay to Roberts' inaugural flub, 'twas a weird year

(NEWSER) - Politics isn’t always a deadly serious game of statesmanship. Sometimes it’s goofy. Politico recalls the most bizarre moments of 2009:

• Barack Obama sworn in—twice: Obama joked that they’d done it because “we decided it was so much fun.”
• Sarah Palin resigns: Even her aides were surprised, and a meandering resignation speech did little to explain away possibly the year’s biggest political curveball.