Is Palin qualified to replace president?

Question to ask is "Does McCain believe that Sarah Palin is really the best qualified person to replace him as the president?"

Palin expressed an unawareness several weeks ago about the responsibilities of the vice president.

Hello! 'Heart beat away from presidency' seems to answer that.

When we consider the excellently qualified candidates that were passed over, I suggest that McCain's mayor of 7.500 Alaskans just three years ago represents a total disrespect for the office of president and a question of the quality of his judgment.

Going to move on now, but keep this in mind. Presidential succession is the most important factor.

The only other factors to consider are totally politically contrived:

1. McCain has an urgent need to solidify his party's neoconservative right base. Palin does that. But to attract us independents, he has presented himself as a maverick, one who would freely depart from the conservative base.

Doesn't sound that way to me. Seems to me that his handlers made this first decision for him to keep the far right conservatives happy. Maverick? I don't think so.

2. A patronizing effort to attract independent and Hillary Democratic females by having a "skirt" on the ticket. What an insult to American women.

To think that any woman would shallowly misuse her vote for this important office based solely on gender. Aren't we better than that?

Remember, everyone, presidential succession is the most important issue.

Just close your eyes for a moment and imagine the hockey mom from just three years ago sitting at the President's desk.

McCain, your first decision is tragic. You've lost me.

Robert E. Griffith

Arlington Heights