The Palin panic on the right is spreading. Maybe it's just the contrarian in me, but I think it's overblown. I think we're back to where we were in the run-up to her convention speech: If she does well in the debate Thursday, she becomes a valuable asset to the campaign once again. If she does poorly on Thursday, that will be a different story. I expect her to do well, but we'll see.
UPDATE A FEW YEARS LATER: Man, was I wrong. Panic!