How will John McCain Choose his Cabinet?

Tonight Republican Vice Presidential candidate, Alaska's Governor Sarah Palin, will give an interview with ABC's Charles's Gibson. This is the first television interview since the Republican Presidential candidate, Arizona Senator John McCain, announced her as his running mate almost two weeks ago. The McCain campaign has railed about the press treating this candidate harshly. In fact, many bloggers crossed the line with Palin and delved into her personal life.

BUT!

Bloggers and the people who comment on them are citizens, and citizens want to know about the people who offer themselves as leaders. The discussions over the past two weeks have veered into the personal because, frankly, that is all the McCain campaign has offered about Sarah Palin. Most of the substantive claims have been shaky. Had McCain's camp provided America with the opportunity to ask Palin questions earlier--in a forum other than People magazine--we would be talking about her answers instead of her family.

Sarah Palin may prove to be an outstanding public servant on the national scene, but the McCain camp's decision to sequester her for the past two weeks raises questions about how they judge her readiness to answer the tough questions. She might have been ready from day 1, but McCain's camp hasn't sent this signal. Still, the campaign's actions should not cast aspersions on Palin, rather it should raise questions about McCain's judgement. Why would he choose a running mate that he didn't feel comfortable allowing the press to ask questions for two weeks?

One of Palin's past statements and one of her current comments might indicate the campain's reason for limiting contact with Palin. Palin has a minor in Political Science, and she should know what the Vice President does. Yet in July, she told CNBC's Larry Kudlow: “As for that V.P. talk all the time, I tell ya, I still can't answer that question until somebody answers for me: What is it exactly that the V.P. does every day?" Some might deem it unfair to judge the candidate based on statements that she made before joining the ticket, but if the McCain campaign was seriously planning on picking Palin, they should've been grooming her in July--BEFORE announcing her as the running mate. Since announcing the Palin pick, the McCain camp has limited public access to Palin to her speeches. This tactic hasn't prevented gaffes. Palin's statement regarding the Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae debacle indicates that she didn't understand the situation--which is frightening because in the information age, there is NO reason that she shouldn't. I realize that the McCain campaign has twisted reality to the point that any question about Palin is regarded as an attack. This posture is a transparent attempt to blame the questioner. Why? Why is the McCain campaign taking this tactic with someone that they are offering to the American public under the banner "Country First"?

The 2008 Presidential campaign MUST be about issues. My issue with Palin rests with John McCain. Choosing a cabinet is one of the most important job duties for the POTUS. His team helps chart the course for the nation. If McCain picked a running mate that he didn't trust to answer the tough questions, how is he going to choose a cabinet?