The timing couldn’t have been better.

 

Less than 24 hours after Barack Obama gave his historic, emotionally-charged, yet eloquent speech at the Democratic National Convention, John McCain stole the spotlight by pulling a fast one out of left field. Late last week, he announced his running mate as Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.

 

It seems McCain hasn’t forgotten the old-age war motto centered around shock—that the best defense is the element of surprise.

 

And surprising, McCain’s pick certainly was. Anticipation surrounding the old man’s announcement was followed only by dumfounded Americans asking, “who?”

 

In his maverick, old-charm style, though, McCain has defended the inexperienced, unknown mother of five, explaining she is who the country needs.

 

“She’s got the grit, integrity, good sense and fierce devotion of the common good that is exactly what we need in Washington today,” McCain said.

 

What Palin really has, however, is a vagina.

 

It’s clear that McCain gave up credible running mates like former rival Mitt Romney for Palin simply to trump Obama’s race with something even more controversial when it comes to presidential politics—gender.

 

The idea, according to many political strategists and analysts, is that McCain will pick up votes from hard-core Hilary supporters and perhaps other Americans who, despite living in the twenty-first century, refuse to vote for a black man.

 

And, as if McCain’s announcement of his VP pick wasn’t shocking enough, Palin herself had her own surprising news which she announced just days ago: Palin’s 17-year-old un-wed daughter, Bristol, is pregnant.

 

Advisors of the McCain campaign claim the Republican presidential candidate knew about the pregnancy all along, making one once again question McCain’s decision-making abilities. Many believe McCain didn’t thoroughly examine Palin’s background before making what seemed to be a slit-second decision on whom his running mate should be. After all, the man who has been touting Obama’s lack of experience chose a running mate who has been governor of a sparsely-populated state for just over a year.

 

Where’s the flip-flopping rhetoric now?

 

Sure, Palin is considered an attractive, middle-aged woman, but good looks and youth can’t compensate for a lack of Washington know-how and zero foreign policy experience. Nor can they cover up four bouts with cancer, high cholesterol, or elderly age, all of which McCain possesses.

A woman with less than two-years of practical experience is literally one heart-beat away from the presidency. Is American really ready for old-age and inexperience?