Sarah Palin? Was Karl Rove even consulted on this?

Karl Rove is a living god. Given time and money, he could get you elected to public office in this country. Any public office -- even the White House. And if he was still pulling strings and calling shots in the shadows for the GOP, we would be totally fine with Big John McCain's gyro ball of a pitch yesterday when he tabbed Sarah Palin (Sarah Palin?!?) as his vice presidential candidate. But, a little over a year ago, Rove decided (or, as rumors go, his wife decided) it was time to get out and return to the home front. He is now penning a memoir and doing some work for Fox News. It's a mortal lock Rove is no longer calling the shots. For it is inconceivable that he would allow the party to have Palin in the number two spot.

The Risks

1. She is anti-abortion. This surely will hurt her with many (all?) female voters.

2. She is young (44). On it's own, that is no big deal, as she is just two years younger than Obama Osama Whose Your Mamma. However, when she stands next to McCain, she reinforces how old he is (72). In fact, she makes him look even older than he really is. It reaks of the daughter leading her old man around because he can no longer get there on his own.

3. She is inexperienced. Palin has a short history of public office. Heck, just 10 years ago, she was a mayor in a small Alaskan town! This certainly will not sink the ticket, but it somewhat handcuffs the Republicans in how far they can carry the argument that Oprah's Little Boy is not experienced enough to run the country.

The Rewards

1. Palin is charismatic. It is not out of the question that she could usurp a large chunk (large!) of Hillary's Trail of Crying Women. She is a mother of five. Her hubby is a...wait for it...fisherman. Clearly, she wears the pants and carries the checkbook around the igloo.

2. Unlike Billary Hillary, she is actually attractive (change the glasses, though) -- a former beauty pageant contestant, no less. Pretty. Brings home the bacon. Mother of five. That package will sell, and sell big, on the campaign trail.

3. She's no Dan Quayle. Rather, she is quite polished in front of the microphone. She will more than hold her own against The Plagiarist errrr, Joe Bin Laden Biden in their October 4 debate.

In summary, yes, we are a bit leery of McCain's pick. Of course, if Karl Rove says he loves it, then SO WILL WE.