Reacting to Senator Obama’s declaration that the surge had succeeded but had done so beyond anyone’s “wildest expectations” Sarah Palin had this to say today:

He said it was doomed to fail. But just last night, Sen. Obama finally broke and brought himself to admit what all of us have known for quite some time, and that’s that thanks to the skill and valor of our troops, the surge in Iraq has succeeded,” Palin said.

“I guess when you turn out to be profoundly wrong on a vital national security issue, maybe it’s comforting to pretend that everyone else was wrong, too.”

As I noted earlier, Obama has a serious problem on his hands. Taking Palin on directly is a step down for him, he should be fighting off McCain instead. He risks igniting the Republican base even further if he takes on their newest star and risks falling into their trap too. This should be a job for Joe Biden, Obama’s much heralded running mate. As I also noted earlier though Biden has a continual problem of saying the wrong thing, especially about minorities, immigrants and women. His opening opinion on Palin was to make notice of her looks, not a great observation about an opponent who made her opening by leveling the playing field and brutally attacking the top of the ticket. Looks to kill?

So today the Obama campaign moved forward with its only real shot, announcing it would send Hillary Clinton and other top female contenders out on the trail. The irony of course is easy to see, if Obama had simply put Clinton on the ticket he wouldn’t be in this mess.

Regardless of their inability to have a peaceful relationship it seems ludicrous in retrospect to have simply tossed the Clinton’s to the side. McCain made a brilliant move in Palin, not because she would instantly take Clinton women, that seems unlikely, but because the avalanche of interest, the historic nature of the race is now on his side. Palin is even more of a vicious attack dog than Hillary; Joe Biden on the other hand is the lofty and long winded type that reminds us all of the worst in Washington. The media was quick to demand Palin wouldn’t be ready until she had hit shows like Meet the Press to prove their muscle. Biden never seems to miss an appearance on one of these gab festivals. Who do you see coming out on top in this?

Palin has a personal story that is as compelling as John McCain’s. Obama’s Hawaiian upbringing, travels outside of the country, Princeton education and Rev. Wright conversion to Christianity aren’t the kind of story most of America can associate with.

The Obama campaign, befuddled by the comparisons between Plain’s experience and that of their candidate during the convention, were quick to point out that Palin had completely ignored Obama’s time as a constitutional law professor when belittling the rest of his resume. If community organizer and lawyer are distant enough from the working world’s list of attainable and identifiable jobs, do they really think working people in this country would be wowed by an Ivy League accolade? ” *Anything* professor,” doesn’t mean much outside of the journal-writing-conference-attending-sabbatical-seeking crowd. Especially when you look back over the history of the Presidency.

Senator Clinton’s job resume, while still unattainable and distant for most American’s, includes an eight year stay in the White House and a long documented history of taking on fights. The perfect Democratic juxtaposition to Palin’s conservative spirit, Senator Clinton is an icon ready for political war. The problem? Clinton isn’t on the ticket; rejected by the candidate and reportedly not even considered for the short list, Clinton’s use now is a powerless attempt to keep women in their court. Just as liberals shouted “nominating Palin is a gimmick that won’t work” so should they yell about sending Hillary on the trail. It is a recognition that Biden cannot do the job.

There are always surrogates who surround candidates but with sixty days left it is becoming clear that Joe Biden doesn’t have the goods to keep the Republican number two down; so team Obama is sending in the woman they didn’t want to take on the fight. Is that cynical? Yes. Is it pandering? Yes. The only question left is, will it work?