Ben Parr

It would be an interesting choice that would help McCain. Women swing voters would appear to be the demographic that will determine this election. Pro-Hill people that really just wanted to see a woman there might swing his way. At the same time, it will be interesting to see how she would hold up in the National Limelight (I know little to nothing about her) and whether that would bother the conservative base. It's an interesting move. Let's see if he'll actually do it... - George Smith

@George - she falls in line with almost all the issues of the base. The base will embrace her. It's whether she can attack and whether her inexperience could hurt McCain's arguments. - Ben Parr

weaken him b/c all of his recent attacks turn around. Criticizing Obama for picking Biden b/c he knows he is "weak" on foreign polilcy, which is a crock since lately his two key foreign policy issues have been now followed or recommended by experts and she does not have as much "experience" as Obama did. I mean seriously being a mayor now is something i just heard a rep pundit tout. - Ruth Ferguson

finally as a black woman, i have been offended for 8 months at the suggestion taht just b/c Barack is black I support him. So now McCain apparently believes that just b/c she is a female, women will flock to him. He might get some PUMAs but some evangelicals don't believe in female preachers, so are they ready to vote for a female VP? - Ruth Ferguson

Am not familiar with every minute detail of her background but I think it is a fantastic choice - she has emerged as a game changer in the land of Ted Stevens, is extremely down-to-earth and brings a unique and highly informed point of view on energy issues - Marco (aureliusmaximus)

I can't see how this helps him. - dkb

Ruth, I have heard evangelicals say that because the man is supposed to be the head of the woman, a woman cannot be president. I would assume that they mean vice president, too. - ha3rvey

This is calculated to reach out to the disgruntled HRC supporters - and he's overestimating how many of those there are. But otherwise, he's preaching to the converted as she has the expected stances. Meh. - Abby Martin

Ben - thanks for the quick synopsis. @ Ruth - I always wonder about things like that..... - George Smith

I dont think that women voters who supported HRC are so shallow as to completely vote against their political views just to see a female VP. Are they? - Chris Nixon

I think it definitely helps. She is an outsider unlike Biden. She is a reformer and she will be embraced by the party. I'm still researching her policies and positions but if the pundits are correct on her positions she looks like an excellent choice. - tsudohnimh

Offhand, she seems like a better match for McCain than Biden does for Obama... - abacab

Be careful here. I think the whole christian and woman thing may be an over simplification of the pick. - Paul via twhirl

And it's confirmed - It's Sarah - Ben Parr

I hope there is more to McCain's pick. As I see it right now, he no longer has grounds to attack Obama based on inexperience. Prior to 2006 the only experience she had was Wasilla City Council from 1992 - 1996. Appointed as the ethics commissioner of the Alaska oil and gas conservation commission in 2003. Her bachelor's is in journalism, minor in politics. Info from wikipedia which has already had 250+ edits today alone. This is either a power move, or a desperation move. Time will tell. http://is.gd/1UuE - Louis Ponder via twhirl

One overlooked qualification for VP, is this person ready to be the president of the United States if the unthinkable happens to the current president? Is she? - Louis Ponder