The Democrats have 1.5 months left to clinch the advantage which I believe they now enjoy.
Palin scares more people than she energizes, IMHO. She's basically a man in drag - - abandons a newborn Down syndrome baby to pursue big-time politics, NRA moose hunter, anti-women's rights and some really scary abortion positions. Sarah Barracuda for sure. But after 8 years of war-mongering, who really wants a barracuda one heartbeat away from the Presidency, or the Presidency in the hands of a senile old fool whose idea of music is "Bomb bomb Iran?"
Only the politics of fear can drive the electorate into the arms of these two nightmarish figures. But they're kinda caught in the lies of their own "the surge succeeded" bullshit. "War's over, we won!" doesn't really do much for the Politics of Fear.
Here's what the Democrats have to do to win this: hit hard at McCain's age, his impulsiveness, his phony "torture" record. Obama can say for the record what a great American McCain is, what sacrifices blah blah blah, but SOMEBODY has got to challenge the little weasel's phony credentials. He was never tortured, can't produce a single credible witness to his torture and his own jailer , who otherwise admires the man, confirms that he was never tortured.
Secondly: if his "character," (valiant soldier, etc.) is in issue, because he MADE it an issue, then take a good long look at ALL his character. We hear a lot about "personal narratives" so let's make sure everybody KNOWS McCain's "personal narrative," especially where he returns to the wife who waited for him while he was in jail, lies to her, cheats on her and divorces her for a multimillionaire addict and former model. Keep hitting on that - - the "family values" crowd is dumb as shit, so a lot of repetition is needed, but they WILL get the message Also, as a side-bar to the character issue, highlight the flip-flops, especially in a way that will resonate with the Christian right: Loathes the Christian ("agents of intolerance") right, then chases after their endorsements like a bitch in heat; pro-amnesty, anti-amnesty; anti-torture, pro-torture; anti-tax cuts, pro-tax cuts. CHARACTER? He'll promise anything to anyone to get elected and change on a dime.
Palin - - Sarah Palin is the gift that gives on giving. Even if no new scandals come out of the woodwork (not very likely) enough are already out to keep Democrats busy till election day. Her "heartbeat away" status serves the double function of scaring the bejesus out of every sane, normal voter in the country and highlights McCain's own tenuous purchase on life, hid doddering senility and the fact that SHE, the Mayor of Wassilla, is likely to be the one who finishes up the next Presidential term. The Troopergate scandal (which has to be backgrounded, particularly so that the circumstances of the stock Republican justification, "He tased his own step-son," are put into context and the abuse of power becomes crystal clear) can be emphasized, but it's probably not likely to be a fatal wound. Palin's relationship with indicted Senator Ted Stevens and his associates need to be investigated thoroughly, but the limited time available till Election Day make a pay-off from that quarter a long shot. Highlighting her right-wing extremist views on women's right to choose and the kind of Supreme Court that you're likely to end up with from her and McCain are good, angry fingers on the red button are even better.