Republicans on Palin

Josh Marshall just posted this conversation between Peggy Noonan and Mike Murphy. I had heard some rumblings that there were a lot of political consultants and general insiders, who are more than a little annoyed about McCain's choice.

Of course, these "whispers" are probably not that big of a deal for the campaign (the spin is relatively easy- "of course 'insiders' will be pissed off that McCain is "bucking tradition.")

Still, I agree with them that it has got to be hard to be Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, or either of the senators from Maine (Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe). All have substantially more experience...but, they all also happen to be pro-choice. Rice was obviously out because he could never beat the "McSame" charges with her serving as vice-president...

Pretty funny...

This was a great idea... I'm still amazed that the WSJ bit though...

Update- McCain veep...nevermind

Novak thinks he's been used and that it's "pretty reprehensible." Apparently some senior aide told him that the selection would be coming down this week...but now it looks like just a leak to draw some attention toward McCain.

Seems like kind of a bad idea to yank around a prominent conservative journalist like that... hrm.

By the way, nytimes has this on the McCain-Romney candidacy...

Most importantly, Romney only got a handshake when he endorsed McCain- Guiliani got a hug.

McCain chooses Veep, this week?

Robert Novak is reporting that McCain will name his running mate (he thinks Romney) sometime this week. He suggests such timing will draw attention away from the headlines Obama is making on his trip overseas.

The timing thing makes some sense, but Romney, really? I feel like that would just be giving up the race now.

Anybody want to place bets? I still think Florida Governor Crist is probably the guy, but that's mostly because I can't see Huckabee, Guiliani, Romney, Sanford, or Lieberman on the ticket.