If this is the kind of judgment, thought, and research that goes into McCain's decision making process, I think people should really reconsider whether he's the right guy or not. It appears that McCain barely vetted Palin, only met her once, and decided at the last minute to go with her. I think he got bad advice.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26501863/

Up until midweek last week, some 48 to 72 hours before Mr. McCain introduced Ms. Palin at a Friday rally in Dayton, Ohio, Mr. McCain was still holding out the hope that he could name as his running mate a good friend, Senator Joseph I. Lieberman, independent of Connecticut, a Republican close to the campaign said. Mr. McCain had also been interested in another favorite, former Gov. Tom Ridge of Pennsylvania.

But both men favor abortion rights, anathema to the Christian conservatives who make up a crucial base of the Republican Party. As word leaked out that Mr. McCain was seriously considering the men, the campaign was bombarded by outrage from influential conservatives who predicted an explosive floor fight at the convention and vowed rejection of Mr. Ridge or Mr. Lieberman by the delegates.

Perhaps more important, several Republicans said, Mr. McCain was getting advice that if he did not do something to shake up the race, his campaign would be stuck on a potentially losing trajectory.

With time running out — and as Mr. McCain discarded two safer choices, Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota and former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts, as too predictable — he turned to Ms. Palin. He had his first face-to-face interview with her on Thursday and offered her the job moments later.

“They didn’t seriously consider her until four or five days from the time she was picked, before she was asked, maybe the Thursday or Friday before,” said a Republican close to the campaign. “This was really kind of rushed at the end, because John didn’t get what he wanted. He wanted to do Joe or Ridge.”

If even some of that is true ( especially the part about making abortion the big reason to pick Palin ), at least that makes more sense. I mean, if McCain really didn't pick the others because they favor abortion rights, then this is what you get when you look through such a narrow lens, I guess.

It seems that this pick was made to energize the base who are anti-abortion then. Great. He did it. I would be disappointed if that was enough for some people to vote for the ticket though.

But what about all the other stuff that is important too? He couldn't find a compromise with any of those candidates? I thought he was supposed to be a Maverick. Break from partisan politics.

I do not believe that he can do that. I did for a while. I was obviously being fooled. He simply cannot.

I'm just glad I got to see that in action now rather than while he's in office. I'm very grateful. If the rest of the country proves me to be in the minority, I'll truly abide by that ( as if I had a choice ).

Palin is unqualified to represent me in any manner. And if your stance on abortion is all it takes to be a good VP - heck - McCain / Broadway in 2008!

I bet that the other candidates for VP are glad to have not been chosen at this point. What an absolute crock to pretend Palin was the best choice that could have been made.

>>McCain / Broadway in 2008

I am so honored to be of service to my country and to be considered by my peers for service but my qualifications as a radio geek far "OUT-qualify" me for the position.
I will remember this moment for a long time...thank you.

It would appear that McCain used a different vetting process on Palin than that usually given to a VP candidate.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RN5xbWtNSU

And then there's this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qUVQDmLf7s&eurl

which is sooo wrong...

this stuff makes you glad you're not a liberal.

I still say Broadway is Herb, or a friend of Herb.

On the contrary.
It makes me glad I'm not a Family Values hypocrite.

(did you notice how McCain keeps fidgiting with his wedding ring while checking out Palin from behind?)

>>a friend of Herb

would like to meet sometime...

>>glad I'm not a Family Values hypocrite

the liberial community are the ones with their minds where it should not be...just the idea of the piece from a second or 2 of footage...good grief...let's make a youtube vid of Bill Clinton looks over the years...you could make a long form motion picture!
You're really reaching here for nothing...nothing...and shame on the producer.

Do Social Conservatives have a sense of humor?

Having a sense of humor requires some intelligence.

So, no.

demeaning people doesn't/should not get much laughs...intelligence or not. Where's the respect for authority for our leaders anymore?
Sad...

I found the links entertaining and it's obvious McCain is looking at Palin's prepared speech.

Growing up I was encouraged to question authority as long as I do it respectfully. The links are meant for entertainment, which of course is subjective.

I have a truckload of humor and seemingly others do:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsIIptHkFxA

!!!

Nice stuff Chris.

Broadway, the respect is earned by the leader, in the exact same way it it earned by ANYBODY. Our current leaders haven't gone the distance on that, so they are not getting a whole lot of respect.

"Where's the respect for authority for our leaders anymore?"

Dick Cheney on the Senate floor: "F*ck you!".