by McCain's choice of a hopelessly underqualified woman to be his vice presidential choice.
McCains's choice represents the height of cynicism and nothing more than divisive politics as usual. And his decision is offensive and insulting to Americans who must make this important decision.
This is not a question of qualifications or experience - all the candidates bring their own unique backgrounds and life stories to the table. And there is no single definition of the "right" kind of experience - John McCain is a perfect example of that.
However, there is a fundamental difference between Palin's lack of experience and Obama's relative lack of experience. Obama has presented himself to the American people for TWO YEARS so that his ideas and policies and opinions could be examined and vetted. The whole country watched him deal with challenges to his patriotism, attacks on his family, questions about his faith and his church. We have all had a chance to weigh in on whether or not we think Obama is qualified. Democrats found that he is.
We will not have the same chance with Palin. She has not campaigned. She has not presented her ideas to the public to be tested and questioned and probed and countered. She has not communicated her vision for her role in a McCain administration. She has not withstood the incredible scrutinity and challenge of a TWO YEAR campaign. Both Hillary and Obama have done these things. We made an informed choice as to their experience, ideas, and abilities. Americans will not have the same opportunity with Ms. Palin. We are being forced to choose based on McCain's say-so. His judgement and his alone. And based on his intorduction of her today, it seems fairly clear that he does not know her well himself. So the obvious question becomes, how did Sarah Palin reach this point? Who made the decision to place her in this position? And what can McCain think she brings to his ticket much less his administration?
The cynical answer is, I think, the correct one. She brings the possibility of wooing Clinton voters. And she's not a Mormon, or a former Democrat, or a cross-dressing Mayor. And that's it.
McCain is treating this election like a joke and Americans deserve better.