Observe the Republican Spin Machine.

We’ve seen it in action before. The Republican Spin Machine has been spreading partisan swill for years now, and if its current actions are any indication, we won’t be seeing the end of the spin cycle for some time to come.

With the Republican National Convention in full swing (or, at least, as full a swing as the AARP-infused party can work itself into), we’re seeing some truly Rovian tactics at work. Don’t worry… the Left is watching the ball in earnest.

From the Wall Street Journal:

The McCain campaign scrambled to take control of the public debate over vice-presidential pick Sarah Palin, canceling her public appearances and teaming her with high-powered Republican operatives as she prepared for a speech Wednesday night that will be her first, and perhaps most important, chance to define herself to the American public.

…and it is VERY important, of course, because let’s face it: nobody heard of her before last Friday. In fact, even pundits were mispronouncing her name while still claiming she was a good pick. A senior advisor to John McCain even admitted that the Arizona senator chose her in only 6 days, and that Joe Lieberman would have been picked, but was seen as too polarizing.

Well, of course, the country is finding that Sarah Palin is about as polarizing as it gets. She’s against abortion, even in cases of rape and incest, which puts her to the right of everyone besides Evangelicals. She believes that Creationism should be taught in schools, which, again, places her well within the realm of “extremist” (and, coincidentally, lowers her IQ by almost 40 points). Worst of all, however, she believes in Abstinence Education, which… well, let’s be honest: it didn’t even work with her own daughter. A condom would have done wonders.

So, it’s no wonder, then, that the Party is keeping her under lock and key until her speech, lest any other surprises come to light between now and then.

Of course, the Republican Spin Machine is trying to paint Bristol Palin’s pregnancy as proof that Sarah Palin is a woman of conviction. After all, the daughter is getting married to the young chap who fathered the child, and there won’t be an abortion, so what’s not to like? Of course, those with eyes see it for what it really is: a question of Sarah Palin’s readiness to lead.

John McCain, if elected, would be the oldest President ever to serve in the office. That fact alone requires the existence of a strong Vice Presidential pick, should anything happen to McCain and the VP have to take over. But Sarah Palin? She can’t even lead her own child… how can anyone expect her to lead a nation?

Not only that, but Barack Obama’s VP pick, Joe Biden, directly complimented the needs of the candidate. Obama was lacking in foreign policy experience; to compensate, Joe Biden was added to the ticket, a man who (with 29 years on the Foreign Relations Committee) has oodles more foreign policy experience than even the precious John McCain. McCain’s image, on the other hand (often referred to as “McCain 2.0″) has been of a man cow-towing to the Right; his previous actions of “reaching across the aisle” virtually erased by Party sponsorship and a will to win over voters who don’t want to see a candidate in the middle. Because of this, most of those following the campaigns (including myself) expected to see a VP pick that complimented McCain’s weakness: that is, someone who is nearly dead-center in their views (such as Joe Lieberman, who was fully vetted, until Palin was chosen). Instead of such a compliment, however, the American people are expected to vote for a woman who has no experience whatsoever (she’s been governor of a tiny state for less than 22 mos.), has not shown an ability to lead, and who’s best assets are… well… her looks.

It’s quite pathetic when you think about it, especially considering that the Republican Party has now placed itself into “rinse and repeat” mode. This is where the Spin Machine keeps saying things over and over and over and over again (Sarah Palin can lead, Sarah Palin can lead) and spins away the dirt (Sarah Palin can’t even keep her daughter in check, John McCain is a carbon-copy of George W. Bush). After a while, the people are expected to start believing it, if we are to believe the ever-famous quotation:

Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it. – Adolf Hitler

Glad to see the Right still using the tactics of the most successful Right-wing figure in history.

Now then, kids, it’s time for the real show. Anyone see George W. Bush endorse McCain tonight at the RNC? I hope you recorded it, because with his approval ratings, you can bet the Spin Machine will be trying to make you forget ASAP.

(From NY Times)

President Bush proclaimed Senator John McCain “ready to lead this nation” in a farewell speech to the Republican convention here on Tuesday night. But far from being the kind of unifying send-off and baton pass engineered for Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton, the evening only highlighted Mr. McCain’s eagerness to get the president off the stage.

Of course, because no one wants to be seen with an unpopular Republican soon-to-be-ex-President. Especially one who is endorsing you because your policies match his.