TOM SMITH: The mountain has labored and brought forth a mouse:

All this, taken together, goes far beyond Maureen Dowd’s searing revelation that Sarah Palin wears shoes that are really intended for much younger women. Now we know that far from a pit bull with lipstick, Governor Palin is a merely human politician who rewards friends, punishes enemies and plays “hardball” just like one of the guys. Who does she think she is? And, she’s ambitious. She confided to a friend that she wants to be president someday. Should such a person be allowed inside the White House?

But, seriously now, if the NY Times wants to bring down their favorite hockey mom, they are going to have to do a lot better than this. Forget about sending anybody to Chicago to go through Sen. Obama’s record with a similarly fine toothed comb. Or more like a manure fork. I know that’s not going to happen. Politics in Alaska is a lot like everywhere else, with friends, enemies, grudges, favors made and repaid, and those who get ahead often have sharp elbows. If Palin does become VP she will need every bit of those skills she may have.

What? They won’t investigate Obama as carefully?