So it was red meat night at the Republican convention, and one expects the usual attacks and swipes at the opponents. Third night at political conventions for both parties can get rough.

I’m just wondering if there are any Republicans out there who are aware of the semiotics of an arena full of middle aged white people, arms raised over their heads, gleefully yelling “Zero! Zero! Zero!” about the most successful black American politician ever.

Sarah Palin became Governor of Alaska after serving two terms (totaling four years) on the “city” council of Wasilla Alaska. And then she became mayor of the same “city.” For residents of Pennsylvania, Wasilla would roughly translate to “borough.” Wasilla’s population is equivalent to sleepy little Hummelstown or Swarthmore, PA; the population is quite a bit smaller than almost all of the Townships in Delaware County, which manage to operate quite well despite the fact that they usually do not even have mayors.

Palin has only completed two years of her first term managing the government of her tiny state. Alaska has a population of roughly half the size of Dallas, TX. It’s legislature is constitutionally required to be in session for no more than 90 days per year.

I would get her selection as a perverse choice for Secretary of the Interior, but there is really only one requirement for a veep selection. A good veep candidate doesn’t necessarily  have to be from an important swing state; or pass particular political litmus tests; or even be sympatico with the President. S/he must  be obviously qualified to be President if required to do so.

McCain is too clever for his own good, and too desperate to prove he’s still a maverick.