It's Palin!

Well, it's official.

John McCain has picked Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to be his runningmate.

What a great choice!

Disclaimer: Yours truly was 95% sure he was going to pick Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota.

Putting a woman on the ticket not only stole the thunder away from all the yayhoo's out in Denver this week. I believe it will negate any post-convention bounce the junior senator from Illinois might have enjoyed.

The timing was perfect!

Most importantly, I think the choice will encourage more women (particularly some of the disaffected Hillary voters) to vote Republican in November.

A media blitz is sure to ensue this Labor Day weekend. So, pop some popcorn, grab a soda, and stake out a good spot on the couch! (Like you wouldn't be doing that anyway, right?!?)

Veepstakes prediction: PAWLENTY

It's just a gut feeling, but I believe ye socks will be seeing lots of variations (and hopefully less blurry ones!) of this picture over the coming months and years.

The old guy in the foreground is, of course, the presumptive Republican (?!) nominee for president.

But, it's the guy in the background that I want you to notice. He's Tim Pawlenty, the governor of Minnesota.

And, I firmly believe he will be the next Vice President of the United States . . . or, at least, the GOP's next candidate for that office.

I say this based on the conventional wisdom that McCain's candidacy hinges on his running mate selection, probably more-so than any other candidate in recent memory.

There are several reasons, but especially these:
* He's old.
* He's failed (at least to date) to rally the conservative base behind his candidacy since the primaries ended.
* He's lacking in executive experience.

Picking Pawlenty would answer all these criticisms. He's young (for a politician of his caliber). He's a CONSISTENT conservative. And, he's done a great job picking-up the pieces up in Minnesota since Jesse "The Body" Ventura left the governor's mansion in St. Paul.

Add to that the fact that the GOP convention is being held up there this go-round, and you've got all the key ingredients.

Anyway, this theory is something I've been tossing around (off-line) for the last 3 or 4 months, to those who would listen. And, now I'm confident enough to post it here:

McCain will pick Pawlenty.