The choice by a Presidential candidate of their Vice Presidential running mate is the first decision they make during the election season that rises to the level of a "Presidential decision."
Sen. Obama passed the test before him when he chose Joe Biden to run with him. Senator Obama understood that he needed to pick someone ready to become President and handle the national security and domestic security challenges facing the country.
Sen. McCain failed this test. He picked someone who is not ready to be a heart beat away from the Presidency. He chose to try and score a few political points and step on Obama's speech; in return he failed the country. He chose somebody to be his Vice Presidential running mate who is not qualified to address the challenges of our time - challenges such as terrorism, Iraq and nuclear proliferation.
Sen. McCain showed a profound lack of judgement in this decision.
To be clear it is not Sarah Palin's fault. She was picked and could not turn down the political opportunity of a life time. The fault is that of Sen. McCain - he is willing to roll the dice on the national and economic security of the country be picking a running mate who could face the greatest slate of challenges facing our country in a generation.
As an aside Sen. McCain does not understand Women voters. How out of touch do you have to be to presume that simply by putting a woman on your ticket you will get their vote. Very sad that a Presidential candidate would think that over half the U.S. voting population thinks in such a simplistic fashion.
Let me end with this thought. Sen. Clinton is ready to be President. Sarah Palin is no Sen. Clinton