By George Harris, Kansas City Star Reader Advisory Panel
What seems bold now may look ridiculous later. John McCain barely knows his VP pick Sarah Palin, passing up some great choices in women Senators Hutchinson and Snowe. If Palin freezes in the glare of national publicity or makes statements too extreme for most women, the spotlight will be on McCain for having the judgment of a river boat gambler and impulse control of a gunslinger.
And that seems quite likely. Palin, for example, has stated that if her daughter were raped, she'd want her to "choose life." A pro life position in the abstract appeals to Evangelicals, but to many women, such a position sounds extreme and perhaps not very loving or compassionate. A little "nuance" would be welcome on this subject, but Palin wasn't picked for her thoughtfulness.
Palin has been popular in Alaska, but does the Alaskan mindset match up with the views of women in Ohio? I suspect that many men may like Palin's strong views and good looks. But it seems unlikely that a majority of women, who are uneasy about abortion but still pro choice, will vote for McCain just because he has picked a woman they don't agree with.
And if the Palin choice turns really sour as she makes gaffes and reveals extreme views, McCain will look like a man who shoots from the hip without much target selection. Not a good image for a man who wants to be president, especially after the nation's experience with a president who has ignored facts at the expense of us all.