I'm sorry, Al, but I don't see how this story is helpful.  I thought the point was to stay away from Palin altogether and focus on McCain--how does this, looking at whether or not she bought a used tanning bed, accomplish that goal?  Why wouldn't this entirely play into a. a campaign about image, not issues, which Obama is bound to lose, and b. the ridiculous but dangerously attractive theory that the media is out to "get" Palin?  I understand the haircut analogy, but in Edwards' case he already had the "trial lawyer" anchor around his neck.  People were predisposed to dislike him, while they are (unreasonable as it may be) predisposed to like a hockey mom with five kids, one with Down Syndrome; this just feels like piling on.

In my opinion, we'd be a lot better off focusing on McCain and leaving the tanning beds and moose hunting to National Enquirer.  Let Palin fade (pardon the unfortunate reference given the article's context) into the background; save the big stories for the top of the ticket.

Just my two cents.