I'm very happy to see a woman on the ticket. However, I'm very concerned about her lack of experience in politics. Many people have questioned Obama's readiness to be the leader of the free world. This woman is much less experienced in the political arena. Should McCain die/step down for any reason, would she be even remotely prepared to deal with today's global issues?

McCain could easily have chosen a better woman for the job. There are lots of them out there! I feel like his choice is a political stunt; young, conservative and female. It's like he's just trying to get the Hillary supporters, the young voters and the conservatives all wrapped up in his VP choice without considering what's best for the office.

Of course, the fact that she has 5 children probably means she could do the job with one hand tied behind her back...

path, I specifically said "a lot" not most or all.

TexasRose, as a matter of fact, Palin has been in elected positions since 1992, she was a mayor from 1996-2002. Barack Obama was working for a large law firm until 1996 when he joined state legislation.

What do you like most about McCain?

Yes, it is extremely exciting to see a mom chosen as a VP candidate. However, I too am very concerned about her qualifications. Admittedly, I don't know much about her yet, so hopefully she will be able to address some of these concerns in the near future. Furthermore, I wonder if she really will be able to fully devote herself to the job, given her family situation. It may be unfair, but I do expect my president and VP to be totally committed to their work, at least for the 4-8 years that they're elected. This is a position unlike all the other jobs in our society where we strive for the balance of work and personal life. Frankly, I don't want ANY distractions for the top 2 leaders of our country, even if it is such a noble cause as a special-needs baby who's still being breastfed. (On the other hand, Hillary is clearly 110% devoted to the job; few can argue that, whether or not you agree with all of her issues.)

It's not so much that I "like" McCain because I like everyone on both sides except Biden (I'm still stuck on his chacterization of Obama as "articulate and clean"), it's more that his beliefs and credentials line up with what I think are good presidential qualities. For example, I'm the daugher of a Vet, so military service is of the upmost importance for me and I think it should be a requirement to run for president (I've tried a few times in my past to join the military but was medically excluded). For me, being at war is the most pressing issue today so the Commander in Chief needs to be former military IMHO.

Ironically all my life, I've always been pretty conservative in my views however, I've never voted Republican but plan to this year for the first time.

Since both McCain and Palin have children in the military on active duty, I am hoping that if they get elected we won't have to listen to democrats accusing them of sending other peoples' children off to die in battle.

My husband (who is from Alaska & good friends with Palin's brother-in-law) & I think one reason McCain chose her because she is from Alaska and agrees with oil drilling in that state. USA compared to Europe is way too dependent on oil and our big trucks & SUVs. Her lack of experience in Washington DC politics (much different than a single state) is very concerning. I voted for Hillary and no way feel Palin is her equal.

Considering that Obama has been in the senate 3 years and has been virtually absent the past two, I don't know that he has much more national political experience than a state governor.

If someone believes in Hilary...and her politics, how can they also believe in Palin, and hers? Aren't they, like, polar opposites?

It seems as though the GOP think that women are so fickle...that we will simply vote for someone because they have a vagina.

Some of us will...

...but not those of us who actually are voting after considering *all* the issues (and not only one, i.e. abortion). We have so many *bigger* things to 'fix' before we begin trying to make other people live *their life* as *we* think they should.

We'll get to know this woman in the next 8 weeks...but the fact that she is a woman, is actually secondary. What will she say? What does she believe?

Are you guys who are defending her (and I'll admit that I don't know *anything* about her...so I'm not against her, per se), loving her simply b/c she's in the VJ club...

...or is it b/c you actually feel she'd be an effective/successful POTUS?

And I honestly can't help but wonder...(yes, maybe somewhat as a 'tradition-minded' woman)...why would she basically neglect her children to do this job? They only have one mother...and she needs to be there for them. Take care of home first...be a mom, the baby is only months old for Heaven's sake!! The fact that she would choose a job over her children...makes me wonder what type of mom (or VP or president) she'd be.

No one can do everything...all at the same time.

JMHO

But at the same time, this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for her. If she really feels she can do it, she should. In terms of the mothering, it really depends on how much help she has. The kids will still grow up and she will still be a part of their lives, but this opportunity might never happen again. But still, it would be weird for even a man who has a little baby to be running for pres or VP (have there ever been any? I don't know... I'm sure there are senators out there who do...)

And I'm actually surprised at how many people are bringing up Hillary when discussing Palin....the ONLY similarity is that they're women!