Palin Stunner: A Brilliant or Brutal Pick?

McCain gets mixed reviews for bold choice on running mate
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 29, 2008 2:02 PM CDT
Palin Stunner: A Brilliant or Brutal Pick?
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, right, answers questions during a news conference in this file photo.   (AP Photo)

John McCain certainly turned some heads by selecting Sarah Palin as his vice president. Here’s what people are saying:  

  • Given how perfectly Palin fits his needs, it’s surprising that this is so surprising, write Mark Grunwald and Jay Newton-Small of Time. McCain needed to prove he was independent, but also socially conservative, while also appealing to women. Tah-dah!
  • Andrew Sullivan finds the pick revealing: McCain doesn’t think he can win without disgruntled Clinton voters.

  • It’s a striking pick, but ultimately a weak one, says Josh Marshall of Talking Points Memo. Palin is embroiled in scandal right now, and even less qualified than Obama.
  • John Farrell of US News thinks Palin is a brilliant pick, who will make Democratic strategists “retch with worry.” But he warns that the relative unknown could turn out to be a disaster—like then-unknown Dan Quayle in 1988.
(More Sarah Palin stories.)

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