You assume that a sizable number of Hillary partisans remain undecided about their vote. I've seen little evidence of this, and even less since the "kiss and make up" festivities of the past week. And don't you think Hillary calling on her 18 million supporters to vote Obama is going to have a bigger influence on the few holdouts than this one-shot publicity stunt?

I repeat my comment from another thread.

I have an alternate theory.

John McCain knows he is going to lose this election.  His task, then, is to prepare the Republican party for the future.

In 2012, Palin will have been governor for four years.  If she builds a credible record, she can run for president in her own right, having received good marks for being a good soldier in the 08 campaign.  She will have been moved to the front of the line for the Republican nomination.  She is the next Bob Dole without Dole's baggage.

"But today, on first blush, it is a pick that helps McCain buttress the maverick image he intends to present and shakes up the race."

There is nothing "maverick" in a pander.  And, in any event, you do not rehabilitate your image because of one choice.  What's "maverick" in the selection in any event?

If by maverick you mean impulsive, runaway train, then yeah, this does that.

"... it is a pick that helps McCain buttress the maverick image he intends to present and shakes up the race."

do mavericks make decisions solely based on a cynically political basis?  on the contrary, i think that his decision only underscores the fact that mccain will say or do only what (he perceives) is politically useful to get elected.

Likeable? Yes. Ready to serve in some administration in a key role? Perhaps. Prepared to be a heartbeat away from the presidency? Not on your life.

I think few voters -- even many of Hillary's most ardent PUMAs -- will conclude that this is someone who has the experience, vision or seriousness to go head-to-head with Putin.

Total vanity choice. McCain has seriously gone over the cliff.

Couple of points.  One, it's 18 MILLION not 18 millions.  Second, I think you're analysis is still rooted in the "all things Clinton lens" of the primary.  McCain is running to be POTUS, not Palin. He sets the agenda, not Palin.  Frankly I don't think this demonstrates anything other than fear and desperation on McCain's part.  Not a maverick pick, a desperate pick.

Well, pardon my descent into shallow meaninglessness that only feeds sexism in the world, girlfriend looks pretty awesome for five kids.