What more qualified Republican women were passed over with this choice?

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

The most obvious one is Kay Baily Hutchinson. My impression is that she was not on any short list and was not vetted. It's also possible she didn't want it, but I think she would have been a strong choice.

[valerief]

1. Yeah, but she's still a Republican. Not good for the country. nt

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

4. I think you're missing my point.

I'm THRILLED they didn't go with Hutchinson, because I think she would have been a stronger, more credible candidate. I'm ecstatic that they went with such an apparent lightweight.

I'm just saying that I think this might backfire even among Republican women, because they must know they had better choices.

[valerief]

5. You're sure right!

[glowing]

2. When she was on earlier.. you could tell she was pissed to be passed over

by someone she didn't "know".

[TwilightGardener]

3. Also Condi Rice and Olympia Snowe.

[VAliberal]

6. Not that any of them

would have been acceptable to McCain's base but Olympia Snowe, Susan Collins, Kay Bailey Hutchinson, Elizabeth Dole, perhaps Condi Rice, etc.

The Palin pick is a gift. Is she seen as a puppet and empty suit with a pretty face that Rove/Cheney & Co. can control? McCain's own pick or one forced on him by the powers-that-be in the Rethug Party?

Wierd, but wonderful - any other female choice in the Senate or a Rice or someone of equal stature would have been stronger.

The dirty old man dynamic with McCain, Cindy's apparent diffidence toward Palin at the roll-out today, Palin's own inexperience, etc. - it all rocks!

Icing on the cake from last night's speech by Obama.