John McCain’s choice of Governor Sarah Palin as is running mate caught most of the world, including the Obama campaign, by surprise. Since that time Democrats have struggled with deciding on their game plan for attacking the relatively unknown Alaskan. Fear not, Obamanauts, your candidate and party have apparently settled on their new mantra to combat the McCain/Palin ticket… “It’s ok when we do it”

As was so eagerly pointed out in the previous post, How long can they get away with it?, Palin, as governor apparently requested $453 million in earmarks. Democrats have jumped all over this hoping it’s the smoking gun they need to stem the tide of Palin’s popularity. While I am certainly not happy with the fact that Palin requested those earmarks, I find it ironic that the Democrats are criticizing her for the practice. Apparently it’s perfectly fine for Obama to request nearly $1billion in earmarks, but Palin’s $453million is unacceptable and irresponsible.

Lest you think this “strategy” is only isolated to the earmark issue, consider the Democratic attack on Palin’s experience. She’s been governor for only two years and was only a lowly mayor before that. Once again the Democrats are hoping you forget that just a few days before the Palin pick was announced, they were defending Obama’s three years of experience as Senator.

Need another example? Obama recently released an advertisement attacking McCain for having former lobbyists on his campaign staff. Naturally there’s no mention of the fact that Obama’s running partner Joe Biden (remember him?) has a son that, until last week worked as a high paid lobbyist. And as long as we’re going to ask the question of who will run the respective administrations, wouldn’t it be fair to examine the countless confidants and friends that Obama has had to disown to save his political skin? Anyone care do discuss Reverand Wright, Rezko, or admitted terrorist Bill Ayers? Of course not.

And perhaps the biggest contradiction of them all, Obama continually blasts McCain as being a “Washington insider” and running the same type of “divisive” campaign we’ve seen in the past. Of course we’re to forget that Obama chose a running mate who’s been in Congress even longer than McCain or that Obama has resorted to the tired old Democratic strategy of class envy on the rich to drum up votes. The message as always is that Democrats should not be held accountable for their actions while Republicans should be lambasted for theirs.

Earmarks? They’re an evil vile waste of money when Palin requests them but obviously necessary when Obama does it.

Inexperience? Palin’s obviously disqualifies her as a legitimate candidate while Obama’s simply means he’ll be an agent of change.

Lobbyists? A damning association for the Republican candidates but radical associates included a convicted felon, a hate mongering “pastor”, and a terrorist are not to be held against Obama.

Years spent as part of Congress? McCain’s time has obviously tainted and corrupted him. He’s part of the problem our country faces while Biden’s even longer tenure means he’s qualified to shake things up.

As I said before, I’m not at all a fan of the fact that Palin requested earmarks. However, the man at the top of the Republican ticket has been remarkably consistent on earmarks. If the fact that McCain’s running mate has accepted earmarks somehow disqualifies him from campaigning on that issue, Obama is no longer allowed to run against the war, against lobbyists, or against being part of the Washington establishment.

As the Democratic attacks continue to focus on issues that in fact, apply in greater degree to themselves than their Republican counterparts, I find myself asking the same question… How long will they get away with it?