Glad - I would be happier if she were president than McCain, same with a lot of the conservative base.  You are quite simply wrong.  It is ridiculous to believe that McCain just free lanced this one or that it is all political - particularly when a larger amount of conservatives knew she was on the short list than you seem to believe - 2 of the 3 voting members of my immediate family, for instance :-p

Glad you keep saying it, but you're simply wrong - the woman is effective, conservative, tenacious, and perfectly able to serve as VP or Pres - and frankly, a lot of us wish it was her anyway   If she were simply a political choice, don't you think McCain supporters would be nervous about it?  She's the real deal, or we wouldn't be excited :-p

Ooo Glad, what if Palin's grandchild was signed up to Iraq at birth????

I love hearing the Party of Kennedy explain how America won't stand for a 17 year old doing what liberals insist they're gonna do anyway

@Gladiator

I think I got it and just think you're wrong. It was a good pick. The thing about "what's best for the country" is from another era. Just as Obama did not pick Biden for any other reason than winning the damn race. A lot of republicans are nervous because they don't get what's happening, that's true. The left-leaning media did not get it either at first. We'll have to wait a bit to see how it transforms after tonight's speech and a couple of days.

For me, the McCain campaign wanted this, and will score. Thinking that she wouldn't be immediately exposed with her various issues is really thinking that the top strategists of a millions dollars campaign are amateurs, when they are professionnals. Even being partisan, it's just not true.

You might have thought it wouldn't work, and perhaps it won't, but in our world I say it was a fair bet.
The only thing they could not foresee is that the Obama campaign would be so prompt in avoiding to give them ammunition.

Kids disobey even the best of parents, end of story.

No glad, unfortunately - "it was a solely political move" - is not an opinion :-p.  Nor did you state it as an opinion - you stated it as fact, if you want to state it as opinion, begin sentences with "I think, I feel, I recklessly believe" - you should be comfortable with all those as an Obama supporter.

The woman has merit - making it not a solely political move.

Now, whether or not you think it's a good pick? That is opinion.  Whether or not she will do well? Opinion.

But simple fact - I and many conservatives I knew were previously "maybe voting for McCain even though I don't really like him" - but now based on her merit for the position, have something to at least care about.  It simply wasn't "just a political pick" or "just for Hilary voters" - fact is fact :-p

ahhhh lubber..is it pirate day again??  Shiver me timbers! X(

Oh Golk, I know 'tis political - this is politics fer goodness sakes.
And hoist the mainsail! 

However, th' fact is that it isn't just a parade as gladiator suggests by sayin' "'tis all political" - she be a good candidate, a damn good one, an' she brin's a lot o' votes t' th' table.   Now, perhaps I misunderstood Glad, an' he be really means political, but from what I read thar, he means it were bein' only based on a ticker tape parade, attention, an' flair - when really thar is a perfectly solid reason fer choosin' that comely wench.

Does she brin' a lot o' votes with that comely wench, avast?  Sure - 'tis as political as anythin' else in that nature.

Is she still a strong choice, I'll warrant ye?  Aye again - which is where I see gladiator an' i bein' a bit different :-p

Pardon me lack o' clear communication an' th' fact that me statement only made sense in th' context o' what I believed glad t' be sayin' - just wanted t' use his terminology

umm god damnit..i di'nae understan' a word o' that X(

an' ye likely won't understan' what i'm about t' type either ..we'll continue this tomorow

but i wanna leave with this:

do ye think McCain with his age an' medical records should've picked someone mostly fer politics or someone mostly fer th' VP/possible presidential role?

umm also i just had t' say this..an' i know i'm guna get criticized fer this but still

i saw a small portion o' th' convention just now..i'm nto guna bother with th' whole thin'..i'd rather just watch th' little sound clips but
anyways saw a little small part o' it

an' WOWW...  it were bein' more borin' than america's got talent ..like ye republicans really dern't know how t' throw a party, th' wench were bein' standin' in front o' a powerpoint slide, with a picture stuck on..  on th' last minute.., ye scurvey dog.  an' half th' crowd were bein' sleepin' or playin' games on their cellphone
an' every now an' then th' speaker would stop an' then one lubber would holler, then another, then they clapped, an' then everyone joined in

all i'm sayin' is, even th' most unknown o' scallywags brought th' house down at th' DNC..we know how t' throw a party

Please, Gladiator.   The DNC knows how t' party, and a bucket o' chum?   They only just began t' learn how t' throw a decent party this year.   You have yet t' even see th' main Republicans speak (they're startin' now, btw).   Wait until Palin gets on that podium.

Who saw Giuliani's speech?  And hoist the mainsail!  The ornery cuss tore into Obama, ya bilge rat!   I cringed when he said that Biden should get his VP nomination in writin' from Obama.

Ouch!  Walk the plank!  Palin's got jokes!