Contrary to the standard MSM script, the VP choice does matter. Not for any single one of the myriad of considerations that are discussed ad nauseam by the political pundits because none of that ever seems to change the course of an election. No, my friends, what makes the VP choice important is that it allows voters their only real time opportunity to assess the decision making skill and capacity of the nominees. Is it politically savvy by bringing a state or necessary constituency that's out of reach to the nominee into his/her fold? Does it add a new policy dimension to the agenda of the nominee? Prop of a perceived or real vulnerability or weakness or strengthen an asset?
With the announcement, is it immediately apparent if the decision was sophisticated or naïve. Complex and rich or simple-minded? Respectful or cynical? Does it naturally complete the ticket, make it look like a real team or does it look like two left feet? Inspired or wtf?
All things considered, Obama passed the test. As well as, if not better than, the few nominees throughout the history of the US who also passed. Not that liberals didn't have strong objections to Biden. Only that it was virtually impossible, regardless of political orientation, for anyone to say, "Huh?" when the selection was announced.
The Maverick has succeeded in being so much of a maverick that he left the folks at NPR not only saying, "Huh?" but also unable to repress their impulse to giggle. I wouldn’t dismiss the idea that McCain was in McGovern territory: nobody else, excluding Joe Lieberman, wanted the nomination. Doubtful because thought did go into the decision. Not intelligence, just thought befitting those who can't see the forest for the trees. Sarah Palin met all of McMansion's criteria: 1) anti-choice 2) pro-war 3) heterosexual 4) not tall. McCain is insecure about his height and not so much about his age.
By god, I think McCain has bested Goldwater and McGovern for worst VP selection in living memory. If the GOP power brokers haven’t decided to throw this election, what were they thinking? Or not thinking. Balance? Old and young. "Experienced" and inexperienced. Inside the beltway and outside. Male and female. McCain/Palin = balance by committee. (A committee of newts?) Was he responding in kind to Obama’s choice? DEM VP from a small, solid blue state; so, naturally the GOP VP should hail from a small, solid red state. McCain’s selection committee would have been well served to look at a freaking map. This woman is supposed to seal the deal for McCain with the mythical PUMAs? I don’t think so. Inspire the fundies? Not if they remember that McCain could have had the Huckster.
The GOP promised a Maverick and delivered Mr. Magoo. This election is so over. Has been since Iowa. But like a nation of two-year olds, we’ll engage in pretend play for the next few weeks. Propose every completely implausible "what if" to delude ourselves into seeing a contest that doesn’t exist. Or maybe we can’t resist fixating on a slow moving train wreck.
