Republicans gathering here in St. Paul are all aflutter about winning diehard Hillary supporters in key battleground states. Not so fast.

Alaska's Governor Palin may like to talk about those 18m cracks in the glass ceiling, but those votes were for a woman with significantly more experience in policy and governing. Palin's been on the job for 20 months in a state with a population smaller than many Congressional districts. Just a "heartbeat away" from Air Force One, can Palin really run the free world at a time of peril?

Some Hillary supporters say they are "insulted" McCain thinks that picking a woman - any woman - is enough to persuade Democratic women to vote for a ticket that opposes even incest and rape exceptions for women seeking abortions.

What Republicans really want to do is re-ignite the "culture wars" - have all of us in the media focused on abortion and stem cells, not on the economy. McCain's "Rove 2.0" advisors want to replay 2004, when GOP footsoldiers turned out the base of social conservatives. They are hoping they can do it again, using the pro-lifer with a beehive, breast pump and go-go boots (OK that IS cool!) to rally the James Dobson set. It's the GOP's only hope against Obama's strong ground organization...and trends that show large increases in Democratic voter registrations, and declines in GOP numbers.

By the way, did anyone mention McCain is against equal pay for equal work? Hillary supporters, is that what you want? Another Scalia on the Supreme Court, or Hillary Rodham Clinton? Remember Republicans don't love Hillary!