Sarah Palin's speech: Return of the culture war, but which one?

Culture war rhetoric is heating up around Sarah Palin. Specifically there's been a great deal of discussion of abortion, but not in any direct way in Sarah Palin's speech tonight. We heard a little about guns and a little about religion, but nothing heavily sectarian. And I didn't hear anything about GLBT issues. Palin highlighted family values by talking about her own family and, of course, showing them. But I didn't hear her using the usual words.

The front that Palin opened in the culture war tonight was small town vs. big city America. But she did it in a way that made it seem as if the Democrats had started it.

She went on the attack, which provides the natural opening Democrats need in order to fire back. They'll have to choose their angle carefully, but it can be done. As good as the delivery of the speech was, more of the public will understand that she is fair game now that she has staked out some ground. It will be interesting to see whether they debate her on the culture war or hammer McCain-Palin on the economy.

Dissing small towns

It's already begun. Pundits and journalists have been not only questioning but mocking Sarah Palin's experience as mayor of Wasilla, Alaska. Democrats hoping to get beyond red and blue America would do well to avoid falling into the same trap. A look at the 2000 and 2004 electoral map by county should be a tip off.

I find most discourse about elitism in this country misleading, but the surest way to alienate millions of voters is to make a joke out of where they live.