The Mask Slips

I don't understand how Rich Lowry can write this while keeping a straight face:

Does Palin know enough to be a national candidate right now? No, but she can be mostly walled off from the press. Will attacking Obama on Fannie and Freddie open McCain to attack because one of his top aides lobbied for the organizations? Yes, but he can bulldog through it. Is going to Washington going to help much of anything? Probably not, but the symbolism matters.

Does nothing matter but this absurd and reckless partisan game?