...to say,” Who?" I'm not an avid political groupies but I never heard of Sara. She may be "just what this country needs" as McCain says, but I don't think she carries the gravitas needed to make the ticket a great option. At his age he needs someone who is truly ready to take the reigns. I know it's true that none of us know the number of our days, but statistically speaking BO will be around at least a couple of decades after John is gone.

She may pull some of the soccer moms and some of Hilary's defectors, but what other "credentials" does she have to recommend her for the job?

I've been a McCain supporter since '00, hanging on in recent times to the hope a rebound of the old John, but now it seems they've figured their only hope is to pull those independents and former Hilary supporters.

I hope she's got more creds. than 2 years as Alaska's governor and mayor of a ~ 5,000 pop. town.

in what Karl Rove today called a stunningly brilliant decision on McCain's part. This is the age of instantaneous communications and massive information dumps. If you care to read up on the governor of Alaska, or even turn on the television, you will probably know more about her by the end of the day -- and absolutely by two or three days from now -- than anybody today knows about the snooze king, Joe Biden.

You will also understand WHY Karl Rove called this a brilliant political move on McCain's part.

While I'll grant that two years is not long for on-the-job training, it is enough to give a real view of the leadership qualities of a candidate.

Leadership is the great intangible quality of the Presidency, and it matters immensely.

For the Obama-Biden campaign to push this point seems suicidal. Only to their inevitable voters will it seem that her short experience in a form of leadership they completely lack is a relative disadvantage.

I think there is more here than pandering to feminists and trolling for moveable supporters of Sen. Clinton, though those elements are surely present and may dominate the conversation.

As I said on XXFactor, the Palin pick highlights yet again McCain's hypocrisy. Obama too inexperienced for President? We see now how serious McCain is about that complaint. Elderly man who could legitimately die in office - your chosen successor is WHO? Ok fine. So shut the F up about Obama's inexperience. You seem to have torpedoed your chief argument, McCain. And you could have picked Kay B. Hutchinson, who actually has some experience and is a formidable TV talker. But couldn't resist trading up to a younger model eh? I see a pattern.

Oh listen to Palin going on about "Hillary cracked the glass ceiling and the women of America aren't done yet!" Does McCain think females supported Hillary JUST BECAUSE SHE WAS A WOMAN? Um, no. There's that liberal vs. conservative thing too. McCain/Palin must think women are stupid. Pathetic appeal - you'd have thought they'd just let it be unspoken. To actually lead out with it is so insulting to womens' intelligence.

And Palin's whole abuse of power theme is so attractive. Prototypical Republican above-the-law mindset. McCain certainly shows great wisdom - not only in the experience of his potential successor, but also in picking someone who is under legislative investigation.

McCain: Obama is too inexperienced, not ready to lead.

Obama: John, you don't really think that! Your VP pick shows us how serious you are about that argument. You're the biggest hypocrite in American politics. (Chuckles, shaking head)

McCain: Palin isn't on top of the ticket - but you are!

Obama: Are you going to live forever John? You're 72 years old, and if it wasn't an issue before, your VP pick made it an issue.

---

In one stroke of genius, McCain highlights his age problem and destroys his "inexperience" attack. And, bonus, highlights the Republicans' abuse of power theme. And, double bonus, insults Democratic women by suggesting they're gender-lemmings.

That's the kind of thoughtful leadership and sound judgment this country needs!!!

Demcon:

You will also understand WHY Karl Rove called this a brilliant political move on McCain's part.

Anything that Karl Rove considers brilliant absolutely terrifies me.

Homba - You write, "And Palin's whole abuse of power theme is so attractive. Prototypical Republican above-the-law mindset. McCain certainly shows great wisdom - not only in the experience of his potential successor, but also in picking someone who is under legislative investigation."

Do you have a source or article for this? It is the first time I've seen it mentioned. The brief bios I've seen or read today talk about Palin's reputation for cleaning up Alaskan corruption, and her criticism of Sen. Ted Stephens. What is Palin being investigated for?

heretofore smugly certain Obamacrats.

got her brother-in-law fired from his job as dog catcher [or something] because he was being abusive towards Palin's sister. Of course there . . . seems . . . to . . . be . . . no . . . proof.

There is as non-existent scandal related to Palin supposedly kicking her brother-in-law out of a public job. The McCain camp vetted this and determined there was no substance to the allegations.

The guy might be an evil genius, but that does include the word genius. As much as we might despise Rove, he knows politics. If Rove thinks that palin is a brilliant pick, that should give the Dems pause.

Demcon:

You will also understand WHY Karl Rove called this a brilliant political move on McCain's part.

Because it was Karl Rove's idea, most likely.