Strollerderby

CBS, you're such a tease! All these delicious little video interviews of Sarah, and Sarah and John, and, last night, Sarah and Willow (Willow! The forgotten Palin child!). We've ignored you for years -- decades even -- CBS, but that gamble with Katie Couric is starting to pay off. For us. We hear it's done nothing for the Evening News' ranking among networks (sorry 'bout that). 

Today's Morning News we start with our Daily Palin (our daily Katie, it would seem). And we know you've got something good in store for tonight. Thank you, CBS, thank you.

We love the start of the video, Katie's shock that Willow will be tagging along. Since nothing in a campaign is ever accidental -- nothing but sucky interviews -- the fact that Willow's presence surprised Katie gives us much to mull. Decoy? Shield? Effort to soften Katie? Also, we know what you're thinking: where's Trig?

First and biggest cringe comes a few minutes in. Katie asks Palin what newspapers she has read over the years -- or even now. Palin names exactly zero and then paints a picture of geographic chauvinism. "Alaska's not a foreign country ... we get the news ... why do you think we don't get news" that kind of thing. Still, no publications named. (Tip to SP: if you get this question again just say "The Times," "The Post," "The Tribune." Covers all the biggies. You're welcome!)

She goes on to talk about abortion, the Morning After pill, her church, creationism, drilling for oil. She's good with these answers, she's pre-Tina Palin. At the end, we find out she doesn't hate gays, because one of her best friends of 30 years is a lesbian, pardon us, "chooses to be gay." Quick, Katie, hunt down that friend who insists on loving ladies! (Read or skim the transcript here.)

In other Morning News: The Senate is getting all high and mighty by voting on their own rescue plan this morning. This will supposedly get the House's panties in a bunch and force them to pass a fast and big rescue plan. The Senate's version, however, includes tax cuts for businesses and alternative energy -- an effort to appease Republicans. And if Obama votes in favor of the Senate's bill, how bad will that fuck up his pledge to cut taxes for the middle class? 

We know you're all about your right to vote this Nov. 4 but is it really worth risking your life? Turns out, there's an 18 percent increase in the number of fatalities on election Tuesdays. So, maybe you could consider walking to your polling place?

Remember the guy who dumped nine of his 10 kids, ages two to 17, at a Nebraska hospital -- legal under the state's relatively new safe haven law? Well, seven of those kids are now living with grandma (who, surely is getting a bunch of help from the nice folks of Omaha). The other two are living with friends so that they don't have to switch schools. Happy ending? It could be worse.

Photo: CBSNews.com