Palin is a very smart pick for McCain. There’s been talk of Alaska maybe being a swing state; choosing Palin pretty much eliminates that possibility. She is immensely popular up there – even after a minor scandal, she only dropped to 80% approval.
It’s true that Alaska is only 3 electoral votes, but they could be critical in a very tight race. And choosing Palin is far more likely to sway Alaskans than choosing Pawlenty will sway Minnesota. Romney might sway Michigan, but the connection there is tenuous; and McCain has Utah in the bag and will never have Massachusetts. So in terms of a VP maybe bringing a state with her/him, Palin’s got the best chance.
But more importantly, choosing Palin has an excellent chance of pulling in all the PUMA-type folks who will say, “Oh, finally we can have a woman in one of the top two slots. Sure, she’s not President, but just wait four years (or less)…”
This could be a momentous pick and some serious trouble for Obama after a long primary with lots of claims of sexism, and then not choosing a woman for his VP.
That’s an innovative pick and a fresh face.
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p>But, watch those markets. There’s some large traders moving huge volumn, jacking the trades up on rumors then selling. It’s the wild west with no SEC to slap hands. Same thing’s happening in Europe with legal bookmakers. Odds have gone to Palin.
Alaska, population 656,424
Middlesex County (MA), population 1,465,396
Worcester County (MA), population 750,963
Suffolk County (MA), population 689,807
Norfolk County (MA), population 650,308
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p>He couldn’t find a good county commissioner?
FWIW, WBZ radio is saying that they have “confirmed” (the word they used on the air) that Palin is the pick. They aren’t naming their source.
Yes, Alaska offers Democrats opportunities this year, but it only provides 3 electoral votes. If the Republicans must work to secure Wyoming and Alaska this year, they might as well concede now and save their donors some money.