Bad day to be a Republican...

Not a happy day for the Republican party, as far as I'm concerned. I'm just letting myself get used to the words "President Obama" rolling off my tongue.

Pros:
* I think he was smart to select a female running mate.
* She will appeal to many women (maybe. See the cons list for the alternative.)
* She's very ecologically minded, which I feel is one thing the Republican party is sorely lacking.
* She is pretty and young... it's surprising how important that is to the average voter. That's a [superficial] plus.

Cons:
* One [of a few] strikes against McCain is his age. It is a fact that he IS at a higher risk of, um, not seeing the end of his term than most. Sure, Sarah Palin has done great things in Alaska; no doubt. But her leadership experience is too limited for my comfort.
* She is a mother of five, one of whom is a five-month-old with Down Syndrome... what is she DOING? I am all for a woman having a career and being a mother... but potentially leading the free world? That's another story. Her hormones aren't even back to normal yet, for crying out loud! Another thing is: with four children already, what was she doing having a late-in-life, high-risk baby when she had such high political aspirations? Seems a little irresponsible to me. Who is going to raise her family while she's campaigning and fulfilling her Vice Presidential duties (such as they are) and potentially, being the actual president of the country? Nannies? Is THAT the family value we want to encourage?
* In the few hours since the announcement, the mud is already slinging... and I don't like what I'm hearing about her family drama of late. Or her role in it.

I think Senator McCain has just given quarter to the dems. Sorry to say.

But we will see...

P.S. For anyone who's curious, my other two choices for the Republican running mate never would have worked out anyway. Mike Huckabee and Condaleeza Rice, I am fairly certain, would have BOTH turned down the invitation. If only...