an interesting pick for McCain

McCain gets some bonus points, both for his message yesterday congratulating Obama, and apparently for picking a woman as his running mate. It seemed official on the radio, but the web seems to be a bit behind, so I'm not positive it's the truth, but it appears Sarah Palin of Alaska will be the Republican VP pick. As folks on the radio noted, each of the candidates has picked their opponent as their VP, effectively, with Obama choosing age and experience, and McCain apparently choosing youth and star power (or so I am told).

Looks like the web caught up. (it's on CNN and everywhere now) I'm relieved yet worried. On one hand, this means that there's no way Mitt Romney will be in the White House anytime soon. On the other hand, this could pull disgruntled Hillary supporters toward McCain.

I don't know if the wikipedia bio is correct, but if it is... wow!

Born in Idaho and raised in Alaska, Palin played point guard on her high school's championship basketball team. She was the 1984 runner-up in the Miss Alaska pageant[. She then attended] the University of Idaho, where she received a degree in journalism. After working as a sports reporter at an Anchorage television station, Palin served two terms on the Wasilla, Alaska, City Council from 1992 to 1996, was elected mayor of Wasilla in 1996, and ran unsuccessfully for Lieutenant Governor in 2002. [She then whupped some tail to become gov in 2006]

Nevertheless, a Hillary supporter would have to be pretty disgruntled to vote Republican. Pro-life republican, at that, though her views on gays are more open than some I've seen.

The thing that has me confused is that an article I read indicated she was under investigation for some dubious business or another - something about trying to get her ex-brother-in-law fired, of all things.

The only way a Hillary supporter would vote for Palin is if the person was only supporting Hillary because she has a vagina. Palin is about as polar opposite of Hillary as you can get. Most Hillary supporters I know feel extremely insulted that McCain thinks he can pick anyone with two X chromosomes and they'll vote for her. I think any Hillary supporters he picks up were unlikely to vote for Obama anyway.

 The deal with her ethics investigation is this. Her sister was married to this guy who was a state trooper. Sister and State Trooper had a bitter divorce and custody battle, so Palin ordered the state's Public Safety Commissioner to fire State Trooper. The Commissioner declined to do so, so Palin fired him instead. Nice.

 Also, Palin was Miss Congeniality and plays the flute!

--Shelby (anon until I find my password)