As emotional as politics can be I try to always make judgements based upon observation as opposed to feeling or my on wishes.  As a Democrat, I have had to hone this skill over the years because of the frequency with which my desres, emotion and wishes were so at odds with the reality of what was actually occuring on the political landscape of our country.

Reluctant as I was to have a unity between my observations and my feelings I could not help but conclude that this week's Democratic Convention was far and away the most successful in the television era.  Hands down.  The best.

This incredibly unlikely outcome of the convention and particularly Obama's speech at the end crowing the superb work of Bill and Hillary Clinton and the incomparable Teddy Kennedy has been difficult to get used to but I've managed. 

Then, on the heels of all this week's good news we learn this morning that John McCain has given a birthday present to the nation instead of himself.  He has chosen to nominate as his runningmate the very first (as wonkette so skillfully put it) VPILF, Gov. Sarah "Barracuda" Palin.

This bold decision on the part of Mr. Maverick was done even while the VPILF is hip deep in a scandal involving the firing of a state official who refused to fire her ex-brother-in-law who happened to be an employee of the state.  Mr. Straight Talk chose this spunky VPILF despite knowning she had supported the famous "bridge to nowhere" that our pal Sen. Stevens made so famous prior to his indictment.  John "did-I-mention-I-was-a-POW" McCain has elevated this superb VPILF knowing she has in the past openly supported teaching creationism in the schools and knowing that her only experience in public office is less than two years as Governor of Alaska and a few terms as a councilwoman and Mayor of a town of 9000 souls.

This decision of John McCain's demonstrates in eloquent detail the kind of leadership he would provide if elected President of the United States.  Every citizen can feel secure knowing that if anything should happen to the Septugenarian while serving, that this marevlously committed member of "Feminists for Life" would then step in and take the reigns of the Presidency.  VPILF Palin's selection to be the running mate for John McSame has to be the political equivalent of deciding to roll out the "New" Coke.

I want to thank Senator McCain for this decision and for so obviously putting the interests of the country first by making this choice for VPILF.  He is signaling to the country how obvious it is that he should not ever be given the power of the Presidency and is highlighting it with this decision which contrasts so well with Obama's decision to nominate Joe Biden.

As I ponder this improbable development in the wake or the enormous success of the Democratic convention I can only conclude that McCain has done Obama and Biden a gigantic favor and has essentially dug his own grave by making this choice.  Despite what I've thought of as tactical and strategic errors by the Obama team prior to the convention, I can only conclude from the evidence that this election is now ours to lose without question.  Obama didn't need to put McCain on the defensive because McCain himself has done it.  Now all Obama need do is keep McCain there, build off the momentum of the convention and keep the pressure on hard.  If Obama continues to make the case for himself and the Democratic Party as he did last night I feel quite confident that the wind will be at our backs and victory will come in November.

Hallelujah and thank you to America's first VPILF, Gov. Palin!