It's commendable that McCain picked a woman VP. But let's list the more qualified candidates.

[Bucky]

How many genuinely qualified, experienced leaders did Sarah Palin jump over to get to this honor?

Among the GOP senators, there's Kay Bailey Hutchinson, Liddy Dole, Olympia Snowe, Susan Collins, and ex Senator Nancy Kassebaum (who'd probably be a better president than McCain). Condi Rice, while reprehensible policy wise, is certainly qualified to hold the office having sat at the table of power for 8 years (this of course raises the point that a record of experience is the last thing Republicans want to nominate). Hawaiian Governor Linda Lingle has twice won election in a strong Blue state.

In the US House there are several women with at least ten years' experience in dealing with national issues: Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida is the ranking member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and would be the first Hispanic ever nominated for Vice President; Deborah D. Pryce of Ohio is well connected in Republican circles--particularly among the influential Abramoff crowd; Sue Myrick of North Carolina would have been the only Southerner among the parties' nominees this year; Jo Ann Emerson of Missouri; Mary Bono of California; Judy Biggert of Illinois; and Heather Wilson of New Mexico.

There's not a person in that crowd I could vote for, but at least every single one of them is well versed in questions of national security, federal budget and taxation questions, is familiar with the way Washington works, and has a track record of winning either big or multiple elections. Every single one of them has been bypassed by McCain. Even McCain's top advisor Carly Fiorina has a track record as a business leader that gives a good idea of what she'd stand for in public office. He's taking a hell of a risk in naming Gov Palin--and Republicans who like to take risks haven't worked out too good for this country in the past eight years.

McCain blew this call, big time.

[liberal N proud]

1. It would be commendable if it were not for the Republicon record on women

And more over the way McCain views women with his many comments.

[bullimiami]

2. virtually anyone would have been more qualified.

[RichGirl]

3. Chuck Todd...

...said the biggest risk with Palin is that choosing her will be seen as a gimmick. It was a gimmick and I'm sure the other women mentioned knew it and had too much self-respect to be used in that way.

[Median Democrat]

4. Why Palin Over Meg Whitman?

Meg Whitman freakin founded E-Bay. When McCain says he does not understand economics, Meg Whitman could have really helped. It would have been a complementary selection AND McCain was on record as saying that she is a very wise person.

So, why not Whitman over Palin? Or, is McCain just pandering again instead of exercising good independent judgment.

[grantcart]

5. Its not commendable because he is doing it as a gimmick

He has met her one or two times and has no personal relationship.

He did not run it by anybody like Hutchinson.

There is nothing commendable in faking the right thing - just like the cross in the sand story it is all fake.

[phleshdef]

6. I honestly think it came down to shallow, photogenic issues...

I really believe that he (or at least his handlers) picked her because she looks good. Sarah Palin is an attractive woman. More attractive than most, if not all, of the far more qualified Republican women out there who are currently serving office or who have served. I really believe the reasoning is THAT shallow and considering John McCain and the people behind him, this shouldn't be a surprise.

Maybe I'm just being hopeful, but I think the fact I stated above might actually be realized by the voter demographic he is making a move at with this choice. I all ready know a few former, female Hillary supporters who feel insulted by it. They wanted Hillary because they felt they had a qualified woman to represent them. And as much as it played a part of it, it wasn't just based on being a woman alone. They aren't feeling "it" with Sarah Palin.

But yea, I think if someone were able to make an argument that McCain picked beauty over experience and readiness and get away with it, then that might be the best TRUTHFUL attack to make. Getting away with that is the hard part though.

[Bucky]

7. Welcome to DU, Phleshdef

I agree with you. They probably had a checklist of what they were looking for: under 50, female if possible, pro-choice, loved by fundies, and from outside of Washington. Palin has a gazillion demographic bonuses: union member married to a union member (her husband's a steelworker who races snowmobiles--how cool is that!), brand new mom (don't believe the tinfoilers around here), with a solid background in ethics policing in corrupt Alaska, a child of teachers, and a PTA mom to boot. Looks played into that as well, of course. But let's not underestimate her potential appeal to swing voters. I don't think she's particularly presidential, but then I didn't think Obama was two years ago either.

[phleshdef]

9. Thanks for the Welcome

I see where you are coming from and thats why I said that I'm "hopeful" people will see through the whole thing.

And as powerful as the union affiliations could be, it doesn't mean a damn if you are truly running on a Republican platform. Either you are going to please your right wing base or you are going to push yourself out of the modern Republican territory of today's times and actually give a damn about labor in this country.

My last thought on this though is that regardless of Palin's union background, there is no way in hell she is going match Joe Biden on union support. There are few people (serving in office) that rival Joe Biden on relations and support for labor unions. Thats an argument she won't win and that is the only argument (aside from from her being a woman) that she can make that might persuade people who are going to be, otherwise, Democratic voters from voting for the Democrat on the top of that ticket.

[slackmaster]

8. Why should any of us waste our time doing their homework for them?

:shrug:

[tinrobot]

10. Christine Todd Whitman is another for the list.

[Bucky]

11. Nope, she's got a conscience. I'm pretty sure that's a disqualifier right there.

Technically her conscience is for sale, but sadly George Bush has ruined the economy so bad that the Republicans can't even afford to buy off one of their own.

[CitizenPatriot]

12. I am not impressed

nor do I think they should be commended. this was done before by geraldine, so let's not buy into sarah's version of how she is breaking the glass ceiling (gee.....Hillary?).

this is an obvious appeasement move and the woman is as corrupt as Bush -- so, no, not impressed. and I'm a woman. They missed the point, but then pretenders usually do. we didn't want any woman in the wh just to say there, we did it. my god, there were issues and policies at stake we cared about.

sarah p doesn't represent any of those issues. she is actually the anti-christ, as far as i am concerned. her record on the environment and oil and her corruption and already claiming executive privilege -- NO THANK YOU.

corrupt is corrupt, no matter if it has breasts or not. Grow Up, GOP.

[Overseas]

13. So it really is a Big Oil plus She's a Woman pick !

How sad for all those Republican women who have worked so hard in Congress.

[Naturyl]

14. It's not commendable because she is a TOKEN

And it's actually an insult to any thinking person, in my opinion.

[Phx_Dem]

15. I don't think there is anything commendable

about picking an unqualified candidate - man or woman - but your post is a good one!