First Impressions of Sarah Palin

Two of my favorite writers chime in on McCain's choice of Sarah Palin as running mate.

Evanier:

I'm watching TV, waiting for John McCain to appear to formally announce his veep pick. If I were staging this event, I don't think I'd have brought high school cheerleaders in to warm up the crowd. ***

Okay, he just introduced her and a hall full of people who never heard of Sarah Palin until they got up this morning is on its feet, cheering for her.

And out walks Tina Fey.

Fallows:

The Palin pick is not like the choice of Dan Quayle. But it is exactly like the nomination of Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court. That is, an unbelievably obvious but potentially effective attempt to jiu-jitsu the standard identity politics of the moment in a way that flummoxes the Democrats. ***

Always and only the comparison should be with Clarence Thomas -- with this one interesting difference. Thomas was a shrewd choice not simply because his race made it more complicated for Democrats to oppose him but also because, once confirmed, all evidence suggested to conservatives that he'd be the kind of Justice they were looking for.

In Palin's case, this seems to be a choice that looks forward to Election Day, and not one day beyond that.

UPDATE

Eric Zorn: Danielle Quayle?

Rob at A Million Monkeys: Sarah Palin is like Alan Keyes

UPDATE 2

Joe Conason: Palin is the epitome of tokenism, exactly what conservative Republicans have always claimed to scorn, until today, as the politics of quotas and political correctness.

David Frum: The irresponsible choice?