In Times Of Tumult, Voters Are Likely

President Obama Is Casting His Lot In The Middle Of A Debate As Old As America Itself: Are We Rugged Individualists Pulling Ourselves Up By The Bootstraps? Or Are We A Nation Of Community, All Connected And Counting On One Another?

Once A Popular Alaska Governor With A Modest Record Of Accomplishment, Palin Could Conceivably Revive Her Reputation In This Era Of Short Memories. But It's Hard To Imagine Her Name Atop The Gop Ballot In 2016, When A Cast Of Heavyweights Who Sat Out 2012 Will Be Vying For The Nomination.

Anything May Be Possible In America, But A Palin Presidency Is Virtually Implausible.

If Acknowledging That Racial Misgivings And Misunderstandings Are Still A Part Of Politics And Life In America, I Plead Guilty.

It's A Deft Trick To Turn American Exceptionalism Into An Exceptional Political Tactic.