You presume celebrity is a good thing, politically.  I don't think it's doing Obama too much good recently.  

I think the problem with this is that Palin easily could overshadow McCain. Personally, I don't see how a guy can win when the press spends more time talking about his Vice Presidential nominee. Our country just has a horrible problem with celebrity culture. Why are people so fascinated by strangers?

The following is what Craig Crawford posted about Palin's speech tonight. It is asomewhat different but related take on what Crowley is saying here:

"I have covered every national party convention since 1988, and attended many as a civilian going back to 1972. I cannot recall any speech better than Sarah Palin's incredible performance on Wednesday night.

Indeed, I cannot think of anyone who even came close to Palin's cleverly common touch and devastatingly pleasant attacks on the opposing party. Her down-home delivery was perfectly balanced between the rowdy needs of a crowded convention hall and the private calm of a quiet living room. Her tone was expertly conversational, and without the slightest hint of self-conciousness.

You would think that this woman had been giving major convention speeches her entire life. And yet, this was her first. Veteran politicians who have been tackling such venues for decades could not approach Palin's skill.

But did the Republican vice presidential nominee hypnotize or energize? Have I been brainwashed into some "Palinomic" state of temporary insanity, or is this woman a genuine leader worthy of a manic following?

I look forward to figuring this out."

Crowley writes, "...She is young, attractive, and grew up in a strange place. Sound familiar?"

Yes, Michael, she's a celebrity.  But she's an unambiguously American celebrity.  Maybe Alaska is strange to you.  But to most Americans, it's a far cry from Kenya or Indonesia.

Eos = McCain plant.  He or she posted the same article on another link.  Ignore the plant.

Yes, Palin has definitely enerized what has been, to date, a rather moribund campaign on the Rep side. But the fact still remains, people don't vote for the bottom of the ticket -- period. I don't care what kind of celebrity/phenomenon, whatever you want to call it, she is.

If she's the story. if she's the focus. McCain has a problem.

If we want to compare celeb to celeb, Obama has the edge because he's actually running for, you  know,, president? The office people focus on when they vote?

Don't over estimate the average American voter. As a body politic we have shown ourselves to be gullible, shallow, and easily manipulated. Need I say more, 8-years of George Bush. Average Joe does not do his political homework, makes his/her decision from the picture painted by Fox, CNN, and the tabloids. Sarah Palin is attractive, speaks well and will energize a lot of non-issue voters. Don't kid yourself if nothing comes out to deep six Sarah Palin she is going to be a plus for the Republicans and a big problem for the Democrats. Substance and actually knowing what your doing are not the ultimate criteria for how we have recently selected our leaders, or candidates for that matter. Showmanship seems to be the determining factor with this short attention span, uninformed electorate. You will know we have hit rock bottom if the Republicans produce pin-ups of their VP-candidate.

Look out for Sarah Babe.

"Who's the Celebrity Now?"

You are joking, right.

She is a governor and she is the VP candiate.

Obama is a what? and he is the P candidate.

I have the feeling that after the Bush victory x 2, people have no

faith in the American voters anymore. The fact that Palin seem to know

absolutely nothing about anything is seen as endearing and frightens

democrats into fearing a win for the GOP

The thing is right, should the American voters decide to vote for the

McCain/Palin ticket they prove themselves just as unprepared for democracy

as the Palestinian voters who put Hamaz in charge or Algerians when they

voted for Islamic Salvation Front in 1991.

However, the Palestinians and Algerians can to certain point be forgiven as

they have not had much practice. We can not be that charitable with the

American People.....