[Professor S]

Originally Posted by The Germanator

You know, I pretty much agree with all of this (surprise, surprise) and I kind of understand what the GOP was trying to do with this pick, but your last point is hard to ignore considering the circumstances. Normally the VP choice isn't the biggest deal, but John McCain would be the oldest president ever if he was elected. Considering the life expectancy of a US male is 76 years old, coupled with the fact that McCain has had cancer, I would not be surprised that people would be terrified of voting for the McCain/Palin ticket knowing the probability of her actually rising up to Commander in Chief is much more likely this time around.

That is a huge concern of mine as well. Not enough for me to vote for a Marxist, but I wish he would have chosen Jindal or Lieberman.

Also, I'll agree that Obama/Biden would be foolish to attack the experience factor. They can still hit the "3rd Bush term" pretty hard, knowing that Palin is even more conservative than McCain. What seems strange though, is that the McCain camp also just took away one of their biggest weapons. They can't really attack Obama on experience any more either, can they? It just seems that the GOP took away one of the better strengths in terms of going after Obama.

To be honest, they've been going after the celebrity thing more than experience. Also, I think the experience attack is still in play (not as effetive, though) because of the differences between VP and Pres. VP is seen more a a President in Training position, historically. But I agree, it does hurt the argument.

And yes, she may have a vagina, but she's also anti-choice, anti-gay, pro-creationism, approves of taking polar bears off the endangered list, etc. Hillary Clinton supporters aren't that dumb. I suppose she might energize Republican women, but I'd be surprised if lots of women jumped shipped and voted against things Clinton and Democrats believe in simply because of the va-jay-jay factor.

I didn't say they would vote for her, but she might increase some crossover. I don't think crossover will be huge, but in an election that will be close, it will be interesting considering it gives extra excuses for a spite vote against Obama.

And by the way, I agree with ehr stance on Polar Bears. Their numbers don't meet any of the criteria for the endangered species list and their numbers have been increasing for decades. Their addition is political, and nothing more.

That said, she's definitely a politician. She had her first good flip-flop today when talking about the Bridge to Nowhere. Two years ago she had this to say, "

5. Would you continue state funding for the proposed Knik Arm and Gravina Island bridges?

"Yes. I would like to see Alaska's infrastructure projects built sooner rather than later. The window is now--while our congressional delegation is in a strong position to assist."

Which is pretty much the opposite of what she said today. Oh well, that's politics...

Well, thats true and false. She came out against the bridge well before her speech today, and she has been a huge reformer in her state, which I think was inspired by her bridge revelation after that statement and first hand view of the waste. It does make an awkward soundbyte though, I agree.