Saint Luke’s Summer

Here in the Nation's capital, "Indian summer" (or as in old Christian Europe, where it was named for the saint whose feast day was yesterday) appears to be at an end. The leaves are in their usual blaze of glory for the fall season. It's been getting down to the 40s at night, but the days are pleasant for wearing a jacket. It's just the right kind of weather for yours truly.

The weekend has also brought more activity with the upcoming Presidential election, if a bit light-hearted in nature. Last night, Governor Sarah Palin appeared on the NBC late night comedy show Saturday Night Live. She handled herself very well for the occasion, as two clips from the performance will show here. Much has been made of her physical attractiveness. But what makes Palin stand out, is that she is a genuine class act. The cynics may think this cameo made a joke of her, but the event was clearly a plus for her public image, and by extension the campaign. With the latest Associated Press poll showing McCain trailing Obama by only two percentage points (42 and 44, respectively), the margin for error alone is raising the suspense.

[THIS JUST IN: A television industry blog reports that "Sarah Palin's visit to 'Saturday Night Live' drew the show's highest overnight rating in 14 years." Not too shabby.]

Saturday also saw Joe "the Plumber" Wurzelbacher appear on Mike Huckabee's latest attempt at stardom on the Fox News Channel. Maybe hosting a talk/variety show will be good for the Huck-man. Joe's trying to take it in stride, but the attention being paid to him betrays a man trying his best to tread water. It's also getting a mixed review from Hot Air's Allahpundit, who provides clips of the show. Featured is a discussion with Stephen Moore of The Wall Street Journal, who gives us ten minutes of what "spreading the wealth around" could mean for Americans.

Then, on the Sunday morning talk show circuit, General Colin Powell made the all-too-predictable announcement, that he favored Democrat Barack Obama for President. There was little love lost between him and the Bush administration, but he has shied away from any political ambitions since his departure from active service, probably out of distaste for the whole thing, and its potential adverse effect on his family life. This may be as close as he gets to the political arena. It's just as well. I imagine he'd be even more disillusioned after two years of an Obama presidency.

Try telling him that now, though.
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