ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Democrats were back on the attack Wednesday, responding quickly a day after political sniping as usual returned to the Republican convention's prime-time lineup."It seems that the Republicans have gone back to their Republican hats," said Robert Gibbs, a senior strategist for the Barack Obama campaign.He led the first Democratic attempt at counter-spin after the Gustav-imposed hiatus by both parties from the usual attacks against the opposition.Gibbs quickly hit at the campaign of Republican candidate John McCain, returning to the favorite Democratic theme that he represents four more years of George Bush.He urged McCain's vice presidential pick, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, to enumerate Wednesday night how she and McCain would differ from the eight-year Bush-Cheney tenure."Her reform and John McCain's reform looks a lot like what goes on in Washington every day," Gibbs said, citing allegations that Palin initially supported Alaska's controversial "bridge to nowhere," and that while she was a mayor she hired a lobbying firm to secure almost $27 million in federal earmarks for her small town.Gibbs also professed surprise over McCain's choice for No. 2. "I would have put a decent amount of money that (Minnesota) Gov. (Tim) Pawlenty was going to be the vice presidential nominee," he saidConnecticut Sen. Joseph Lieberman also came under Gibbs' fire for alleging that Obama had a record of not working across party lines, citing several examples, including legislation aimed at banning no-bid contracts after natural disasters."Do the American people a genuine favor -- when you look in the camera and the little red light goes on, tell the truth," he lectured Lieberman.(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)
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