McCain values experience. Or Not.
Sarah Palin as the veep pick for a 72-year-old candidate who at times seems feeble? That seems puzzling.
I argued last week that veep picks don't help or hurt the top of the ticket. I think I still agree with myself. But this may actually hurt McCain. An ardent pro-lifer such as Palin won't draw Clintonites, but it may soften the Bubba base of the Bible Belt, where people don't feel comfortable with the prospect of a young woman being in charge. This isn't exactly Golda Meir that that the GOP is putting forward.
Most of all, it invalidates McCain's central contention, that experience is crucial. Apparently he believes you can be a rookie governor of a truly marginal state and still have the "right" experience from the job. But that won't fly with voters.
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