Up in every national poll, leading in most of the battleground states, and blanketing the networks with a 30 minute infomercial you may think that the Obama campaign would be somewhat confident.

Nope. They're still worried. Worried enough to launch a new campaign ad that targets McCain's decision to select running mate Sarah Palin. But in truth, it is a shot squarely at Sarah Palin's intelligence.

The ad

The spot begins with soft music and a photo of McCain. Then quotes from McCain appear.

“The issue of economics is not something I’ve understood as well as I should.” Boston Globe Political Intelligence 12/18/07

“I might have to rely on a Vice President that I select for expertise on economic issues.” GOP Debate 11/28/07

"His choice?" flashes up on the screen followed by slow moving video of Palin. Winking.

Questionable

Support her or not, it's a harsh ad. And one that is questionable, simply because Obama had the opportunity to discuss his thoughts on Palin during the third debate.

Back then he was asked if he thought Palin was qualified.

"That's going to be up to the American people," Obama said. "I think that obviously she's capable politician. She has, I think, excited the base in the Republican Party and I think it's very commendable, the work she's done on behalf of special needs."

But today, a different answer from the Obama campaign.

Questionable or not, people from across the spectrum have voiced their discontent with the day-in, day-out mockery of Palin.

O'Reilly and Letterman

It's no surprise that Bill O'Reilly stuck up for her last night while appearing on the David Letterman show. And he was applauded after his remarks.

"I think she's a self-made woman," he said to Letterman. "Reformed the state, went after her own party, put those people in jail, got the oil companies to give the folks some of these obscene profits they make. I admire her record in Alaska. I think the media is beating the hell out of the woman unfairly and I don't like it."

"If you don't like her, don't vote for her. But you don't have to beat the living daylights out of her. If you don't like her, don't vote for her. But knock it off," he added.

"Women are the real losers"

The director of Women's Watch Inc., a nonprofit women's advocacy group in New Jersey, wrote an op-ed two days ago in the Philadelphia Inquirer entitled, "Palin deserves our respect."

It's a difficult column to read. What she discusses is ugly. Really ugly.

"I cannot predict who will win the presidential campaign, but I already know who will lose big: all women," she writes.

After describing a disgusting encounter with a Palin hater, she writes:

Hollywood

Even some Democrats in Hollywood say enough is enough.

At a political forum sponsored by the Caucus for Producers, Writers and Directors, Variety reports that television producer Linda Bloodworth-Thomason spoke up for Palin.

Fair ad or not?