We posted an extensive VP analysis back in February and updated the list in May. From a very strong Top Ten, Sarah Palin was #6 on the first list and #8 on the second.

The contenders were ranked via six important characteristics. How does Palin stack up?

Is she presidential?
    If elected, McCain would be our oldest president. And with the physical hell he’s endured in those 71 years, his health will be a major campaign issue. When you look at how rapidly presidents age due to job stress, he needs someone ready to assume command from day one.
    Of the six characteristics, this is Palin's only serious deficit. Like Obama, she is young and has little training for the Oval Office. But any Democrat claiming she is inexperienced will be damning the man leading their ticket. And, although she's only been governor for two years, Palin is the only candidate on either ticket with executive experience. Grade: C.

Will the Republican base see her as a party standard-bearer?
    Except in the case of Cheney, nearly every VP is assumed to be the party’s heir apparent. From what we know of Palin, I think the vast majority of Republicans would be thrilled with this woman representing the Republican brand for decades to come. Grade: A.

Does she provide ideological balance to the ticket?
    A true-blue conservative could help turn out the base, whereas a moderate or liberal could bolster the middle. I think Palin greatly strengthens McCain's appeal to the right (pro-life, pro-drilling, etc.) while reinforcing the good points about McCain's image as a maverick (budget-cutting, anti-corruption, etc.). Grade A.

Does she offer a geographic advantage?
   If a candidate can deliver a state, they are a phenomenal asset in this evenly divided nation. A running mate won’t turn a blue state red, but he/she could help drag a purple state into the R column. Very, very few individuals can provide this regional effect and Palin is not one of them. She has ties to Alaska and Idaho, which are already staunchly Republican and have few electoral votes. However, she could make inroads into the purple state of Colorado. Grade C.

Does she bring a different set of experiences?
    We haven’t elected a sitting senator since JFK. Lack of executive experience and a long paper trail are a couple of big reasons for that. Palin does provide that executive experience, but not a lot of it. However, she is the polar opposite of McCain and Biden when it comes to inside-the-Beltway experience. Grade: B.

Will she make it a more diverse ticket?
    The egalitarian in me hates this category, but let's face facts. McCain is an old, white male facing a younger African-American. Many criticisms he makes are reported by the MSM as being covertly racist or somehow out-of-touch. Palin provides a very different face for this ticket. A young, attractive woman who is also strong and accomplished is a phenomenal image builder. Grade A.

The Unknowns.
   In choosing a VP, there are obviously many factors to which the public isn't privy. We do not know what McCain's campaign themes will be going forward. We don't know if any Veep candidates did horribly in internal polls or had ugly skeletons in their closet. So, perhaps someone who looked like a great pick (Pawlenty could carry Minnesota...) might not have been best (...too bad he killed that drifter outside of Brainerd).

The Final Grade?
   Taking all the above into account, McCain's choice of Palin is an A-. She certainly does no harm and provides several upsides. Well done, Maverick!

    .   .   .

To wrap up, here are a few stray points to watch going forward:

* Biden will have a miserable time countering her without looking like the condescending bully he is. One poor phrase in a debate, and there goes half the female vote. In response, he will probably turn on his unctuous smarm which will also creep out women viewers. A no win.

* The MSM will tread a PC minefield of their own making. Many, many Democrats were disgusted by the sexism shown by Obamaphilic press in their Hillary coverage. Expect a major controversy when Chris Matthews makes an inevitable crack about Palin's good looks or Olbermann belittles her accomplishments. This will be fun to watch.

* Palin's experience issue takes some of the punch out of experience-related attacks on Obama. However, Biden's age issue takes some of the punch out of Obama's change rhetoric.

* Palin gave birth in April. Could she experience a backlash from more traditional women for not staying at home? It will be interesting to see how she handles it.

* There are many unknowns with a newer politician. Can she debate? Give a speech? Connect emotionally? Looks like we're going to find out.