GOP Strategists Panic

Ambinder talks to a few who are blinking in disbelief:

A few are cautiously optimistic that it'll turn out OK, but most of the strategists and consultants I've spoken to, e-mailed with, or read/watched are struggling with it. They expect her to have a good week... and then to crash and burn when she hits the campaign trail as scrutiny catches up with her. "It's like playing poker blind," one strategist said. Another e-mailed: "Obama's lack of readiness was THE only way to win."  When these Republicans ask the McCain campaign for guidance, all they hear back is: "She's more experienced than Obama is."

But the religious base is enthralled. For me, the more I think about it, the more this pick is about McCain's contempt for Obama. He really seems to think that Palin is as qualified as Obama to be president. If he does, it seems to me he has fatally misjudged the abilities of his opponent. As Clinton did.