The most confusing part of this original post to me is the claim by the poster that it's unfair that McCain picked his VP choice "this late in the game". Vice Presidential choices are always "late in the game", it is how the game is played. Now if the argument is that McCain picked someone who was not a bright blip on the radar screen, then that also is a questionable argument, because notoriously Presidential candidates try to obscure who their choice is until the last minute for obvious reasons. Is the argument that McCain chose someone who was unvetted "by the popular press" and thus the "popular press" were left reeling and scrambling to find ways to publish their agenda and thereby control the voters...that seems most likely to me.

I find it amusing also when anti-Palin posters scream it's unfair that the Republicans chose Palin because they can't criticize her as a woman, when these same people would have gladly played the "gender card" and are very effectively playing the "race card" in their own campaigns.

Here is how I see it, no candidate, white, black, female or male should be above reproach and should be above being questioned about his or her background. It stinks just as much when Democrats cry foul play when Republicans question Obama's suitability for office and claim they are being racist, as it does when Republicans cry foul play and claim Democrats who question Palin's suitability for office is based on some anti-female stance. The fact is, politics is a game of brutality and the person who dodges the most punches and looks the best while getting battered by an opponent while landing some good punches as well is the likely winner. Any person, black or white, female or male who can't take the heat and isn't willing to be slandered and libeled (because face it that is what American politics has come to like it or not) has no business in the game in the first place.

Here's my view for what it's worth...was Palin the best choice for the ticket--it depends on what you want to happen. Was she the most qualified--no. Will she bring lots of votes to the ticket by people who the republicans desperately need to win--women over the age of 35...likely. Is she ready to be President on day one...probably not, but luckily she will have many advisers to help her get ready fast.
Now for the flip side...was Obama the best choice for the ticket...not in my opinion, Hillary has more experience and is much better vetted than Obama. Does Obama bring a large percentage of much needed voters to the polling place on election day the democrats sorely need to win--the African American vote...of course he does! Is he ready to be President on day one...i find that questionable as well, but luckily he will have many advisers to help him get ready fast.
I have to say, and many will disagree, if one is voting on sheer experience and being fully vetted that McCain is the most logical choice for the man who would be ready to be President on day one. Does that mean I like McCain...not at all, but I would be comfortable knowing that he does have much foreign policy experience, he is known to stray from the party line, and he is friendly with both sides of the aisle in Congress. I'm still not a fan of his politics though, so who does one vote for?
Obama to make a stand against the Republican machine and the debacle of the Iraq War while hoping he gains enough experience and wisdom and an opinion or two he's willing to actually stand behind and not waver on quickly once in office?
Or McCain a man who has a dangerous temper, who has been in the system nearly as long as the system itself, who is a man that not even his own party likes most of the time, yet is undoubtedly a true Patriot?

It's not an easy choice, but to claim that the Palin choice is "unfair" is nonsense...all is fair in love, war and politics. Now it's up to the American voters to decide who is the best of their choices....good luck with that!


[edit on 15/9/2008 by xtradimensions]

Regardless of how unqualified Sarah Palin might be for the Office of the Vice President, she is more qualified for the Office of the Presidency than Obama is. She is also more qualified for president that Biden, who can't keep his foot out of his mouth.

What is most impressive about Palin is her political philosophy and the fact that she is not a Washington inside, something that Obama claims for himself, but is trumped by Palin and as for Biden, well, he's in the belly of the beast.

People say that McCain is in bed with lobbyists, but Biden's son is a lobbyist and besides, lobbyist are an important part of the legislative process that each and every American can participate in.

There are many lobbyist who very effectively advocate for the little guy, especially when little guys join together in grassroots campaigns, such as the NRA and many dozens of others.

[edit on 2008/9/16 by GradyPhilpott]