ConfirmThem

Hutchison just announced on Neil Cavuto's show that she is not the Veep nominee.

In the same interview, she said her "guess" would be Mitt Romney.

Her exact words:

"I would guess it's Mitt Romney of I had to bet the ranch."

"if I had to bet the ranch."

Fox News has reported this morning it isn't Pawlenty or Romney, but very possibly is Palin, who allegedly took off from Alaska for Ohio in a chartered plane. Maybe.

My guess is it's Portman, esp. since it's in Ohio, but what do I know??

Drudge is reporting it's Palin. All I can say is WOW if it's true.

That would be an amazing pick !

Does anyone know why Guiliani's name hasn't been discussed as a possibility? He was the front runner going into the primary, respected and well known all across the country, and friends with mccain - it would make sense that he would be on the short list, even if he's not a die hard conservative.

Picking Palin just assured that McCain will be our next president.

High risk, high reward. If she's a natural, McCain rolls home & maybe even stops some of the congressional bleeding. If she's a Quayle, or if there's anything to troopergate, it'll be a McGovern-like wipeout for Repubs.

STEVENS, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which SCALIA, J., joined.

who is supernaturally inspired! I learned after her grand slam speech that she's Assemblies of God--not Catholic as I had previously thought.

Over at Slate the lib women seem intrigued by Palin, if not down right enchanted. Kos is in a panicky lather, thousands of posts between multiple threads. Completely stole their thunder, masterstroke if she's ready for prime time.

Biden, Salazar, Clyburn and the rest of the morons better tread lightly, lest they step in PUMA doodoo.

I'm waiting for the Palin-Biden debate like a Led Zeppelin reunion show. The chances of Joey Credit Card saying something stupid just about dodecatupled. :)

STEVENS, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which SCALIA, J., joined.

It's clear McCain is targeting the Bush states (CO/NM/NH) rather than trying to steal MN/MI.

Hope it works.

Nobody is talking about the DNC anymore.

I believe McCain is actually targeting older moderate/independent women, and trying to galvanize the base (Christians, pro-life single issue, hunters & NRA members, ethics hawks), rather than focus on any particular group of states, tho obv there will be overlaps.

Palin is risky (experience, creationism, Buchanan supporter in '00), but if she delivers a spellbinding tearjerker at the convention, holds her own at the debate, proves the troopergate thing is nonsense, and gets Biden et al to say sexist or idiotic overreactions, it's a masterstroke that will be talked about centuries from now. Her background & family certainly seem like they couldn't be more compelling. Pity that Heart almost certainly won't let her use "Barracuda".

Somewhat of a Hail Mary, but in hindsight, IMO McCain knew that Lieberman or Ridge (almost certainly his top two choices) would split the base, Romney is too "controversial" (Mormon, too rich) and I still doubt they're pals, and Pawlenty is also unknown and it's unclear if he could deliver MN, or Romney MI. Safe boring white guy just wasn't going to cut it this time, and when Hutch took herself out, Palin was the only one left, aside from Huckabee (who would've been forced to release his old sermons which undoubtedly contain some grist for the MSM).

It's already brilliant short term, as you said, because Obama's bounce is dead. They're melting down at kos (good preview for JRB's SCOTUS nomination in '09! :) ); absolutely livid that NO ONE will be talking about Barry's speech this weekend. Wait til Palin starts giving interviews & speeches about how she never considered aborting her infant son w/Downs.

And at least Repubs are fired up now. Seen reports that "sources" say there's sour grapes in the Romney & Pawlenty camps. If so, knock it off NOW. And also, everybody needs to keep their undies unbunched when Palin mentions Hillary in a positive way. Saw on CNN there was some booing & groaning when she did it today. Stop it. Only way to counter Barry's extra pull w/blacks & college kids is with women.

Buckle up, folks, this is gonna be wild now.

STEVENS, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which SCALIA, J., joined.

What a brilliant pick by Mccain !

The lefties will cry about her not having enough experience, but the genius behind picking Palin is that it immediately draws attention to the fact that Obama has even less experience, and that the Communist ticket is completely lopsided. Picking Palin simply re-emphasizes Barry's complete lack of credentials.

All while firing up the base and independent females.....

My wife, who doesn't like politics, and who hates Bush, and claims to be independent, loved the pick, and she's exctited about supporting Mccain now. I imagine there's a heck of a lot more women like her.

Genius, McCain, genius.

Yes - exactly true. See Kirsten Powers's piece in today's NY Post emphasizing your points.

http://www.nypost.com/php/pfriendly/print.php?url=http://www.nypost.com/...