I think John McCain's pick of Sarah Palin to be his running mate the single worst act of political malpractice I've ever witnessed. I'm thrilled as an Obama partisan, but stunned as a lifelong political junkie by its recklessness.

Why? Because the number one -- and best -- argument  McCain has is that Obama is "risky." That McCain is "safe."

But McCain is 72 years old, has grappled with cancer, and has serious ailments from his time as a POW. There is real chance that he will die in office. So voters will have to look at his VP choice as a potential President -- a potential President as early as next year. (Chuck Todd often says VPs only matter on three days, but for McCain that just isn't true.) Which is why Reagan was intelligent to pick George H. W. Bush -- he seemed plausible as President if Reagan passed away.

Whereas we know nothing about Palin. We don't know what she knows, or doesn't know. If she has good judgment, or bad. If she can manage, or not. If she can inspire our Nation, or not. If she can win a vote outside Alaska. If she knows who is President of Russia. Or France. Or Prime Minister of the UK. Or Japan. Or what countries are in the G-8. Or what the Chairman of the Fed does and who appoints him or her. Or the difference between Sunni and Shia.

We know these things about Obama. And so Obama-Biden now seem like the "safe" choice, and McCain-Palin like the "risky" bet.

Cross-posted:

http://mhallville.typepad.com/epigonic/2008/08/political-malpractice.html