If it is Palin

[DefenseLawyer]

Don't we have to assume that Rove has seen the numbers and keeping anyone with a political future off this ticket?

[slackmaster]

1. No, I don't believe so

The GOP has by no means written off this election.

[DefenseLawyer]

3. Well lord knows I am no expert

but I am having a hard time seeing how this pick makes any sense. No experience, no name recognition, no electoral votes. It's a head scratcher to me, but then what do I know.

[slackmaster]

5. With the exception of Reagan, the GOP always looks divided and conflicted with their choices

They usually seem to hate each other, and their picks often come down to some kind of compromise in which many of them end up holding their noses for.

I think our chances are going to come down to voter turnout on both sides.

[lapfog_1]

2. Yes, that's exactly my thought

whether or not Rove is behind it.

Pretty much everyone else turned McLame down.

[clear eye]

4. No, it could be a Hail Mary play

I don't think Rove is big on tactical losing. I think his best options turned him down, and he's hoping to grab Obama's shallow older white male working class support directly by their you-know-whats. It could work; carmakers sell SUVs to 'em like that. There's the subliminal image of an older white guy able to get a lovely young woman to hang around him exclusively. Set the guys to imagining, and thinking, "I'm better looking than he is". We better get to work.

[Drunken Irishman]

6. No, they realize there is an enthusiasm gap here.

And no candidate closes that who realistically could be picked, because they all have their really big weaknesses.

Romney - Mormon, might do well in the west, but will hurt him in the south.
Huckabee - Will do well in the south, but will hurt him in the west and midwest.
Pawlenty - Who?
Lieberman - All a pipe dream.
Palin - She's a radical righty who the media already is spinning as a maverick. She's the perfect VP candidate to rally some in the middle and definitely the base.

[Hugabear]

7. I always thought that they would be grooming someone for 2012

What are the chances that McCain would be seek re-election, or that he would be healthy enough? I've always thought that his VP would be his heir apparent.

[clear eye]

8. Good point.

I can just see Rove hanging out in the sanctuary he created for himself in Alabama and Mississippi, and making mischief there in preparation for 2012. He's prob'ly grooming a couple of others as well. But I think he's hoping she'll put it over the top.