Palin plays the Hillary Card

Sarah Palin seemed to make a calculated play for Hillary Clinton supporters during her interview with Charlie Gibson last night. Perhaps giving her role in the campaign too much credit, she said she thinks Barack Obama regrets not making Hillary Rodham Clinton his running mate then lauded praise on Clinton:

"What determination, and grit, and even grace through some tough shots that were fired her way — she handled those well."

Palin was singing quite a different tune in March. When asked about coverage of Clinton at a Newsweek forum Palin said:

"Fair or unfair, I think she does herself a disservice to even mention it, really. I mean, you gotta plow through that. You have to know what you're getting into ... when I hear a statement like that coming from a woman candidate with any kind of perceived whine about that excess criticism, or you know maybe a sharper microscope put on her, I think, 'That doesn't do us any good — women in politics."

McCain and Palin seem to be playing the "Hillary" card to persuade her supporters that Hillary was dissed by Obama. Since Palin and Clinton have almost no policy issues in common, that's quite a stretch. Pandering has become a hallmark of the McCain campaign so expect more snide accusations that Obama is sexist. It's part of their concerted effort to convince women voters that a vote for Palin is like a vote for Hillary. (Sarah Palin, you are no Hillary Clinton).