The Obama campaign attacks Governor Palin’s speech last night by noting that it was “written by George Bush’s speechwriter.” This is the best they can do? The fact that – and I am not making this up – a speechwriter helped a politician with her remarks has been a recurring motif of attacks on Palin in recent days. It’s meant, one supposes, to somehow diminish her, make her seem like an empty pantsuit. After all, she hasn’t written a single autobiography, whereas the Democratic presidential nominee has written two (at age 47). But this is silliness. Of course Palin had a hand in crafting her speech. Do folks not know any politicians? They tend to want to control things – that is why they are politicians. And among the things they like to control are their own speeches. Matthew Scully did a brilliant job, no doubt about it. But that does not diminish Palin’s achievement – and the role she played in creating her speech.
