The Republicans have repeatedly rolled the dice by pushing "front men" as leaders, under the assumption that the real work can be done behind the scenes by professionals. The flaw in this plan is that in a crisis, we need qualified leaders who can analyze and manage complex situations themselves. The Republican game finally caught up with them, and us, when the major crises of 9/11 and the Wall Street Crash of 2008 confronted the nation, with Bush, Jr. in charge. Recall the pictures of Bush Jr. staring, like a deer in the headlights, upon being notified that the World Trade Center had been attacked? But, you say, he did not remain stunned for long. However, his simplistic, errand-boy response to 9/11 -- creating the long-term Iraq war, funded with borrowed money -- is a major component underlying the current problems on Wall Street.

Just so, it is easy to imagine Sarah Palin staring, like a deer, in the headlights of a Presidential decision.