A fascinating turn of phrase about Sarah Palin

As the interest in who McCain and Obama will pick as their running mates heats up, I was struck by a piece in the Washington Times putting both Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and financial advisor (and former HP CEO) Carly Fiorina on the short list for the number two position. As it's always been my feeling that a woman should be elected to the presidency in her own right, but probably will be nominated to the vice presidency and then be forced to morbidly hope for a well-timed heart attack to fell the guy in the top spot, I'm all for a women as VP. And these two ladies seem perfectly qualified (and, incidentally, coiffed) for the job. What caught my eye in the story was this quote from Newt Gingrich:

Mrs. Palin is "a mother of five, is a genuine Alaskan, is a hunter, is a dog sledder, is very much for drilling for oil, has a great reform reputation, took on big oil on behalf of the people of Alaska," Mr. Gingrich said. "I think she would bring a level of excitement and uniqueness that people would have to stop and say, 'Boy, this is kind of intriguing.'"

How exactly do you "take on big oil" while simultaneously being "very much for drilling for big oil"? That'll show 'em. "Hey, all you big oil companies! I'm so pissed at your continuous efforts to profit from and strengthen America's addiction to foreign oil that I want you to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Take that!"

Update: Oops. Never mind about Palin. Just found this story at the Huffington Post.

Also - have you seen this video of McCain's response when asked whether insurance companies should be forced to cover the cost of birth control since they also cover the cost of Viagra? Watch his face. He wants to make a tasteless joke so badly. You can see it in his eyes.