Paul L, you ask:

"How does Obamas experience as a "community organiser" for a half dozen people and a dog on Chicagos south side; or as editor of a studentlaw journal make him eligible for the Presidency?"

Paul, The Harvard Law Review is not an insignificant "student law journal" see:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvard_Law_Review

That article notes:

The Review is one of the most cited law reviews in the United States and considered by many to be the most prestigious. It is published monthly from November through June, with the November issue dedicated to covering the previous year's Supreme Court Term. The review has a circulation of about 8,000,[1] and also publishes online. In addition, it publishes the online-only Harvard Law Review Forum, a rolling journal of scholarly responses to the main journal's content.

As for his experience as a community organiser, he out-organised Hilary Clinton from the very first primary. I think if you look into his career as an organiser, you may find there's more to be appreciated there, also.

Still, it sounds like you'd rather vote for someone who identifies as a "maverick" (a motherless calf).

Here is Sarah Palin's big chance for a policy statement which shows insight into good governance and compassion toward ordinary Americans who are suffering the effects of the current financial crisis. Mind you, she'll have to match Barack Obama's rhetoric:

“It is wholly unreasonable to expect American taxpayer would or should hand this administration, or any administration, a $700 billion blank check with absolutely no oversight,” he [Barack Obama]added. “The American people have every right to certain protections and assurances from Washington.”

http://www.nytimes.com/?adxnnl=1&emc=na&adxnnlx=1222212107-MsR9rFHvixFzid2lJmYbEQ

Oh - and see also:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/24/us/politics/w24davis.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

"McCain Aide’s Firm Was Paid by Freddie Mac

By JACKIE CALMES and DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK
Published: September 23, 2008
WASHINGTON--
" One of the giant mortgage companies at the heart of the credit crisis paid $15,000 a month to a firm owned by Senator John McCain’s campaign manager from the end of 2005 through last month, according to two people with direct knowledge of the arrangement. The disclosure contradicts a statement Sunday night by Mr. McCain that the campaign manager, Rick Davis, had no involvement with the company for the last several years. ..."

Sir Vivor,

You say >> “The Harvard Law Review is not an insignificant "student law journal" “

Its relevance as experience for a candidate to the Presidency is almost entirely non existent. So what if he was elected by 80 third year students to be STUDENT president of the law review? The articles contained within the law review are partly student works and partly scholarly articles by academics. The Presidents’ job, as I understand it, is to be chief editor among the 80 or so sub editors. That is he chooses he articles to be published in conjunction with his editorial team. This isn’t even close to being as relevant to the presidency as the experience of running a small town council.

There may well be a case to argue that Obama is more of an intellectual than Palin, but there is JUST NO WAY that Obama has more experience in this type of role. Palin understands what it is to be boss and being ultimately and solely responsible for decisions which affect large numbers of people. And Palin is only VP candidate.

I keep hearing that Palin was ONLY mayor of a town of 10,000, and ONLY a governor of a state of 1,000,000. Obama simply DOES NOT have anything comparable. In any case, McCain is the Presidential candidate and he kicks Obama’s ass in experience

I am so horrified to hear that Palin is also backed by the US funny Fundi' Born Again Right Wing US Church.

As a philosopher somewhat makes me go back to Socrates who made that famous statement - Out with the Gods and in with the Good.

Socrates also went on to express that - rather than just behind the eyes and ears, to really find the Good, let the thoughts run deep.

To be sure it's all about allowing historical insight to keep track on our foresight, which is certainly lacking these days of the slick quick message mobility.

In a normal world there would be such a thing as foresight bushbred. But we're talking America here so unhappily it ain't a normal world.

It'll be only a matter of time before people wake up to the facade of Palin. The rest-of-the-world already has a preference (by about 4 to 1) for the next US Prez. Many polls say she's already peaked.

Or maybe Paul L is right and intellect counts for nothing. After all, they elected bozo twice.

Is Palin a successful governor? NO!

Alaska is the most dependent on the federal government of all 50 states. Alaska is almost completely dependent on federal government handouts and oil company profits.

Washington sends Alaska more money per capita than any other state. Alaskans receive back from the federal government almost $2 for every $1 they send to Washington.

In 2007 Alaska received some 2.5 times as much as runner-up Hawaii and 15 times more than the national average.

Alaska has no income tax or sales tax. Almost 90 percent of Alaska's general budget comes from royalties and taxes on oil.

Palin is the chief executive of a very unusual state.

http://www.alternet.org/election08/98817/palin%27s_self-reliant_image_of_alaska_is_bogus/