For the first time in the history of political conventions, a vice presidential candidate in St. Paul, Minn., upstaged the top of the ticket. And those of us who have suffered through eight years of Republican incompetence in Washington and want to see it end must face that new reality. The Democrats must find a way to stop Sarah “The Barracuda” Palin.

Palin has everybody talking, while John McCain has everybody yawning. Columnist and blogger Mickey Kaus suggests the best way to deal with Palin is to ignore her. I think that train already left the station. The Barracuda is swimming in our election pool and she is not just going to go away easily.

Here’s another reality for you: Don’t ever underestimate your opponent and the Democrats are in danger of doing just that. Palin is not some pretty, empty-headed piece of fluff. She may look like the cosmetics salesperson at Macy’s, as The New Republic’s Martin Peretz jokes, but she’s ambitious, smart and a quick study. If you think Palin will wilt under the pressure of a debate with Joe Biden or a “Meet the Press” appearance think again. You are being set up for a letdown. An intimidated media is already telling us it has low expectations for Palin. Low expectations means you can already write the headline after her debate with the better-qualified, more-experienced Biden: “Palin holds her own in debate.”

The Barracuda didn’t become governor of Alaska by doing an Elizabeth Hasselbeck impression. She did it because, as thin as her resumé is, she’s practiced in the ways of the political world and getting more confident all the time. Don’t get fooled into thinking because voters don’t normally vote based on the vice president that will happen this time around. These aren’t normal times and Sarah is a game-changer.

All is not lost. The Democrats have the weapon to hook The Barracuda before she steals this election for the Republicans who so richly deserve to be sent packing. That weapon is Hillary Clinton.

I know what you Hillary fans are going to say. She was done wrong being denied the nomination. Why should she help Barack Obama become president and thereby probably lose any chance to ever become president? To borrow a line — how about “country first?”

This is the ultimate test for Hillary to back up her marvelous speech at the Democrats’ convention. Does she really believe in the face of four or possibly eight more years of ruinous rule by the Republicans it is time to put aside political ambition for the good of the country?

There also is a more personal reason. Events of the past two weeks have caused the novice Palin to become the dominant female in the political life of this country. McCain has already rankled Hillary by using her in his ads to persuade disillusioned Clinton voters into supporting him. The cynicism was breathtaking. Here is an opportunity to strike back. What is Sarah Palin but Hillary Lite, make that Very Lite?

Hillary has already indicated she is OK in debating the issues, but she doesn’t want to get into a personal feud with Palin. That’s fine, but let’s remember it was Palin who kept invoking Hillary’s name at rallies, as if she were some heir apparent to the Clinton legacy. Ultimately Palin had to stop with her faux praise before Republicans when they started booing any mention of Clinton.

It is not as if there aren’t any hard issues to hang around The Barracuda’s neck. Hillary can start by asking whether voters would be willing to have the government force their wives and daughters, who might be rape victims, to carry the baby to term. If that isn’t the most repugnant form of government intrusion, one supported by Palin and the right-to-life plank in the Republican platform, what is?

How about Palin’s opposition to equal pay for equal work legislation? How many women are willing to accept lower wages than a man for equal work because they have the female chromosome? You think Hillary would get some applause lines with that one?

Do you think the public is willing to continue the Bush policy of frustrating stem-cell research? Well, Palin is against stem-cell research.

Is it unfair to point out Palin is for a gun policy that makes it harder to get a driver’s license than a dangerous weapon?

Republican strategists have admitted they want this election decided on personality rather than issues. I would too if I presided over two draining wars, high unemployment, lack of universal healthcare, rising gas prices and falling stock markets. But Hillary could help shift the campaign back to the issues where it belongs.

The way to do that is to combat the real-life symbol of the vacuous Republican election strategy — Sarah Palin. And the best way to do that is to reel in Sarah “Barracuda.”