This kills him on National Security too.

[Zenmaster]

I'm not saying its fair, or that it necessarily should, but I think in addition to all her other negatives that this really hurts him on the national security issue. Again, its not necessarily fair, but a lot of people in McCain's demographics are just going to see her as not tough, because she's a woman.

Toughness and Experience were McCain's advantages, and he's neutered himself in both areas. I really don't get this pick. Repubs always love to paint the democrats as not being tough enough. Whether its true or not, its just become a matter of perception. "Will our leaders be tough enough". There are a lot of national security issue people that aren't going to think a PTA mom is "tough enough". And these are people that mostly wouldn't vote for a Democrat.

This pick is so bizzare. They are really throwing this election.

[gateley]

1. You so aptly put it -- "This pick is so bizarre" nt

[dkf]

2. That's McCain the gunslinger for ya.

[BeyondGeography]

3. If he had picked Hutchison, it wouldn't have hurt him at all

But I do agree the pick is bizarre.

[Zenmaster]

5. Hutchinson's doesn't look like a PTA mom.

Appearance of toughness is what these national security issue people want. Hutch would have been ok for them, I agree.

[liberalmuse]

4. Hillary I'd trust. This woman? No fucking way!

It's insulting that McCain really thinks this thin choice is tantamount to having someone as qualified as Hillary on the ticket.

[Franks Wild Years]

6. His age is by far the biggest issue now

Obama can run ads alluding subtly to that daily.

[muffin1]

7. Don't get it either.

To pick someone with NO foreign policy experience (except for living near Russia, as Steve Doocy from Faux noted yesterday:rofl: ) and
NO national security experience makes no fucking sense.
They thought any woman would work - how unbelievably stupid!!!!!!!!!

[Mz Pip]

8. It's not that she's a woman

it's that she will be a VP with zero foreign policy or national security experience in the administration of a man who's health is a major issue. If McCain really really really was concerned about the national security of this country he would have picked a VP who was knowledgable on global issues.

[Hamlette]

9. great comments from a republican on another blog on just this point

even though dismayed by McCain's bizarre campaign--I had retained some illusions as recently as this morning. I believed McCain to be at least a patriot, sincerely concerned with issues of national security.

His nomination of Sarah Palin ended that illusion, too.

No remotely serious politician--no honest patriot--would think of placing this individual a heartbeat away from the Oval Office, however admirable she may be, however lively her biography.

Moreover, the elation on the right regarding Palin's nomination made clear to me that none of them has ever been remotely serious about national security, either. On the contrary, as the left has insisted for years, for them it really has all been about political advantage, noise and bluster and ugliness with no core of principle, no genuine strategic commitment.

The very same people who, only yesterday, insisted that Obama's resume was too dangerously thin to entrust him with the oversight of our national security, today are celebrating Palin's accession as a triumph for conservatism (evidently this is because she is hostile to both abortion and polar bears). Their hypocrisy is staggering--they truly do believe in nothing but their own entitlement to power by any means.

And I'm very much afraid I must conclude this is as true of McCain as it is of his ghastly cheerleaders, the Limbaughs and the Hannitys. Nothing else could explain the elevation of a woman so singularly unqualified in every aspect save gender.

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/08/american-conser.html#more