According to ABC News’ Jan Crawford Greenburg, John McCain did not decide on Sarah Palin until last night. His first choice was, indeed, Joe Lieberman. But when told by GOP strategists that the party base would revolt, McCain faced Pawlenty, Ridge and Romney.
But after the successful Democratic National Convention, which united the Democratic Party behind Barack Obama in soaring fashion, John McCain decided he needed another high risk pick. With Lieberman out, that meant Sarah Palin.
McCain actually flew Palin out secretly to Dayton last night and, after interviewing her, decided on her as his candidate. She was enough of a “maverick” for him, even though nobody in the party expected it. John McCain had met Sarah Palin only once before, in February.
So what does this say about McCain? In a time of political crisis, John McCain panicked, shot from the hip, and made what will likely be a terrible error in judgment. And he is supposed to be ready in a crisis to lead the nation?