Can't we discuss politics without trashing candidates, just the basis of how things work instead?
I wonder who he wanted, and why did he permit himself to be persuaded to go with someone else. It is one of my big issues with how the VP is chosen.
Long before Palin was publicly mentioned I did by own research trying to find a "best pick" candidate. The ticket needed some one who was not a Washington insider - so that ruled out Senators and Congressmen. The choice needed to balance the ticket - white men need not apply. Because of the age question, someone under 55 would be best. The choice could not further alienate "the base" or the election would surely be lost.
My initial choice was Linda Lingle - the Jewish women Governor of Hawaii - but because she is so pro-choice, she would have enraged "the base". That left Palin as the last candidate standing with a Governmental background. Limited research suggested that her real-world actions were much more moderate than her ideological credentials - making her sort of a "stealth" candidate. Baring discovery of a Titan of Industry who could meet all the other requirements, I went with Palin (this was back in March!)
As a matter of practical politics, it does little good to have your "second best" candidate as a VP choice if you don't end up with a winning ticket.
Granted, long before I actually supported such a choice I would have wanted more extensive investigation.
der Brucer
